Typhoon and Griffon
When it first entered service in 1941, the Hawker Typhoon was the first RAF fighter capable of exceeding 400 mph.
Originally intended as a replacement for the Hurricane and Spitfire, the Typhoon's climb rate and high-altitude performance proved disappointing. However, at low level it was the only aircraft capable of catching the new Luftwaffe Fw-190 and so it initially entered service as a low-altitude interceptor.
It went on to become a night-time intruder and long-range fighter before it moved into the role for which it became famous - ground-attack. Fitted with cannons and rockets it became one of the most successful aircraft in this role during WWII. Over 3,300 were eventually built.
However, this particular airframe did not have a spectacular wartime career. Instead, after just 40 minutes' flight-time in the UK, it was shipped to Wright Field in Dayton, OH., for evaluation trials by the USAAF where it underwent just nine hours of flight-testing. It was donated to the RAF Museum in 1968.
Under the wing is a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, which has nothing to do with the Typhoon, which was powered by a Sabre. The Griffon, the last significant Rolls-Royce piston engine, was particularly successful in powering late-model Spitfires, giving some the ability to catch German V-1 flying bombs. This particular example of the engine, an Mk 57A, came from a post-war Avro Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft. Over 8,100 were built and the last RAF examples were only retired in 1991!
Typhoon and Griffon
When it first entered service in 1941, the Hawker Typhoon was the first RAF fighter capable of exceeding 400 mph.
Originally intended as a replacement for the Hurricane and Spitfire, the Typhoon's climb rate and high-altitude performance proved disappointing. However, at low level it was the only aircraft capable of catching the new Luftwaffe Fw-190 and so it initially entered service as a low-altitude interceptor.
It went on to become a night-time intruder and long-range fighter before it moved into the role for which it became famous - ground-attack. Fitted with cannons and rockets it became one of the most successful aircraft in this role during WWII. Over 3,300 were eventually built.
However, this particular airframe did not have a spectacular wartime career. Instead, after just 40 minutes' flight-time in the UK, it was shipped to Wright Field in Dayton, OH., for evaluation trials by the USAAF where it underwent just nine hours of flight-testing. It was donated to the RAF Museum in 1968.
Under the wing is a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine, which has nothing to do with the Typhoon, which was powered by a Sabre. The Griffon, the last significant Rolls-Royce piston engine, was particularly successful in powering late-model Spitfires, giving some the ability to catch German V-1 flying bombs. This particular example of the engine, an Mk 57A, came from a post-war Avro Shackleton maritime patrol aircraft. Over 8,100 were built and the last RAF examples were only retired in 1991!