[WWII] Hawker Hart day bomber (UK)

[copeab]

Hawker Hart day bomber
Copyright 2010 by Brandon Cope

Entering service in 1930, the Hawker Hart and its variants represented, by far, the most numerous model of aircraft used by the British in the inter-war years. The airframe proved to be extremely versatile and was used as a light bomber, fighter, glider tug, trainer and communications aircraft, among other roles. The Hart was designed as a fast, light bomber; surprisingly, it was faster than the newest British fighter (the famous Bristol Bulldog) which led to a fighter version of the Hart and sped development of a new British fighter! Most started being replaced in 1937-38 and were no longer in front-line use by 1940. Over 1,000 Harts were built, including 42 under license in Sweden. The saw service in several countries, including India, Australia, Estonia and Egypt.

The Hart had a crew of two, pilot (who fires the Vickers MG and drops the bombs) and an observer (who fires the Lewis LMG). The Hart uses 19.75 gallons of aviation gas per hour at routine usage.

Subassemblies: Light Fighter chassis +3, Light Fighter Wings with Biplane option +2, three fixed wheels +0.
P&P: 395-kW HP aerial gasoline engine with 395-kW old prop and 117-gallon standard fuel tanks [Body]; 2,000-kW batteries.
Occ: 2 XCS Cargo: 5 Body

Armor
All: 2/2C
Wheels: 2/3

Weaponry
Aircraft LMG/Vickers Mk II [Body:F] (500 rounds)
Aircraft LMG/Lewis Mk I [Body:B] (470 rounds)

Equipment
Body: Navigation instruments, bombsight. Wings: One 260-lb hardpoint each.

Statistics
Size: 29'x37'x10'
Payload: 0.91 tons
Lwt: 2.3 tons
Volume: 144
Maint.: 59 hours
Price: $11,400

HT: 9
HP: 100 Body, 135 each Wing, 10 each Wheel

aSpeed: 185
aAccel: 4
aDecel: 42
aMR: 10.5
aSR: 1

Stall: 45 mph
-2 mph per loaded hardpoint

Design Notes
The historical wing area of 348 sf has been used. Design speed was 173 mph and stall speed was 50 mph. Performance numbers include loaded hardpoints. For better realism, chassis cost, weight and HPs were doubled. Loaded weight was increased 1.5%.

Variants
When most of these aircraft were no longer able to perform front-line duties in their inteded roles, they were converted to trainers or communications aircraft.

The Osprey (1932) was modified for naval operations (folding wings, arresting gear, catapult points and, in the Mk II, an dingy in the upper wing) for recon and observation, many operated from carriers and others fitted with twin floats for use as seaplanes. Top speed with pontoons was reduced to 168 mph. Bombs were normally not carried due to the weight of the naval gear. Some 130 were built.

The Audax (1932) was an army-cooperation version, with around 700 built (including exports). It was fitted with a hook on a rod attached between the main landing gear in order to retrieve message satchels without landing. Top speed was 170 mph. It could carry four 20-lb bombs or a pair of 112-lb supply containers. The last Audaxs used in it's intended role were in India in 1943.

The Demon (1933) was a two-seat fighter and originally called the Hart Fighter. It differed mainly in adding a second forward-firing Vickers. The open cockpit gunner proved to have aiming difficulty in the slipstream, so some were equipped with an enclosed, powered Frazer-Nash turret (known as the Turret Demon). This helped a great deal, unless the turret was facing the left or right; it then negatively affected the handling of the Demon and accuracy of the pilot's guns! The approximately 300 Demons used supercharged engines, which gave better high-altitude performance. Bombs were usually not carried. Unlike most Hart variants, the Demon was not too successful.

The Hardy (1935) was a general-purpose version, similar to the Audax but built with an eye for use in desert areas. Apart from an enlarged radiator, in included a desert survival kit (including extra water). A squadron saw action in East Africa in 1940. Bomb load was reduced to four 20-lb bombs or water containers. Just under 50 were built.

The Hind (1935) was an improved Hart, also intended for the light bomber role, to fill the gap until modern monoplane light bombers were available in sufficient numbers. Unlike the Hart, some Hinds saw combat in 1941, but most were converted to trainers thereafter. Slightly over 500 were constructed.

The Hector (1937) was intended as a replacement for the Audax, but used a overly complicated engine. Only about 180 were built. A few saw combat over France in 1940.

[Phaelen Bleux]

Originally Posted by copeab

The Osprey (1932) was modified for naval operations (folding wings, arresting gear, catapult points and, in the Mk II, an dingy in the upper wing), many operated from carriers and others fitted with twin floats for use as seaplanes. Top speed with pontoons was reduced to 168 mph. Bombs were normally not carried due to the weight of the naval gear. Some 130 were built.

So if the bomber was not out carrying bombs, what was it doing?

[copeab]

Originally Posted by Phaelen Bleux

So if the bomber was not out carrying bombs, what was it doing?

Ah, sorry about that. The navy version was used for recon and observation.

[Phaelen Bleux]

Originally Posted by copeab

Ah, sorry about that. The navy version was used for recon and observation.

Sorta assumed as much, but I thought I'd ask. Great write-up on the entire Hawker line of biplanes. . .thanks!