Contents
Key Facts
Main Role: |
Two-Seat Light Day Bomber |
Configuration: |
Tractor biplane |
Country: |
United Kingdom |
Current Status: |
Out of Service, Out of Production |
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Force. (photo, via author)
Development
The Hawker Hart was possibly the most adaptable aircraft designed during the period between the two great wars. Designer Sydney Camm hit on a formula which originated as a two-seat day bomber that was easily adapted to the single-seat fighter role as well as being used as a seaplane, reconnaissance aircraft and indeed a dive bomber. The variants were given names such as Audax, Demon, Hardy, Hind, Osprey, Hartbees, Fury and Hector. At first glance all were look-alikes except for the Hector which had a Napier Dagger “H” type engine.
The Air Ministry specification 12/26 encouraged Camm to look into the advantages of the low drag water cooled in-line engine so as to gain an increase in speed over the other existing types. The engine chosen was the Rolls-Royce Falcon XI. The airframe of the Hart was to have the smallest frontal area possible but at the same time having 2 crew members, defensive armament and bombs.
A new approach for construction of the airframe was drawn up which constituted a steel tube primary fuselage structure. Also the wings having spars made with rolled steel tubes top and bottom linked with a light gauge metal web. The top wing having a mild sweep back. The aircraft was built to take either a cross axle undercarriage or twin floats. The float version having the larger fin and rudder of the Hawker Osprey so as to offset the added frontal area created by the floats.
The original mock-up was started in 1927 and the prototype (J9052) was first flown powered by the Rolls-Royce Falcon F.XIA and taken into the air by Gp. Capt. Bulman in June 1928. The first public appearance being at the Olympia Aero Show during July 1929.
Service evaluation of the Hart began at the end of 1928 at Martlesham Heath with as many as eight trials between that date and May 1929. The trials were held in competition with the Avro Antelope and the Fairey Fox Mk.2. The result being that the Hart outclassed its competitors with speed, handling & maintenance. The trials culminating with specification 9/29 for a production batch of 15 examples as pre-production aircraft. Twelve of this batch being issued to No.33 Bomber Squadron which was previously equipped with Hawker Horsleys. One example was sent to Risalpur, India, for tropical trials. This aircraft had a rather sad life. First it collided with a Vulture and then was burned out in a hangar fire, some reports indicating rebels as the culprits.
The entire British production of the Hart totalled 984, nearly half of which were trainers. The production being shared by Hawker, Vickers, Gloster and Armstrong Whitworth. In 1936 three out of every four new squadrons were equipped with Hart variants. Eight Harts were exported to Estonia and four Pegasus powered Harts were sent to Sweden, while another twenty-four were built by the Swedish State Aircraft Factory. A developed version know as the Hartbees was produced for the South African Air Force – four being supplied by Hawker and sixty-five built in Pretoria.
Various Harts were used as engine test beds, particularly G-ABTN which undertook trials with the Bristol Jupiter and Pegasus. Others were tested with the Armstrong Siddeley Panther, Bristol Mercury, Rolls Royce P.V.12, Rolls Royce Merlin F, Lorraine Petrel, Hispano-Suiza 12.X and the Napier Dagger, which became the Hawker Hector. The most interesting Hart was G-ABMR. This visited 15 European countries between 1930 and 1936. It wore wheel spats, an Audax hook, Osprey tail, low pressure tyres and a Hind tailwheel on different occasions. It was used for carrying press photographers to and from Brooklands and in full camouflage became used as a ferry pilot taxi during the war. After which it raced in Hawker colours (blue with silver and white trim) and gave appearances at various garden parties. Later it suffered damaged in a forced landing and was lovingly restored, ending up as a static display at the RAF Museum, Hendon. A Hart Trainer (K4972) is also preserved at Hendon.
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Hart S.E.D.B. K2442 with 33 Sqn RAF. (photo, Crown Copyright) |
Hart S.E.D.B. K2980 with 600 Sqn Aux AF. (photo, via author) |
Variants
Requirement Specification: 12/26 (development), 9/29 (production), 9/31 (Hart India), 8/32 (Hart Trainer)
Manufacturers Designation: –
Development History: | |
Hart project | The initial design for the Hart featured a split-axle undercarriage with pneumatic shock-absorbers and a gravity fuel system. I-shape wing struts. |
Hart prototype | First prototype with F.XIB (Kestrel I) engine. Cross-axle undercarriage with Vickers oleo-pneumatic struts, pump-fed fuel system. N-shape wing struts. |
Hart I | Standard production bomber version, with Kestrel IB engine of 525 hp. |
Hart II | Alternative designation for Hart Trainer. |
Hart Trainer (Interim) | Dual controls trainer conversion of bomber airframe. Kestrel IB engine. Armament removed, original wing retained. |
Hart Trainer (Series 2/2A) | Production dual controls trainer version. Full second cockpit with windscreen. 2.5 degree wing sweep instead of 5 degrees to maintain cg position after removal of heavy gun-ring. Kestrel IB engine. Armament removed. Later aircraft with derated Kestrel X engine and tailwheel instead of skid. Retrofit with long exhaust pipes common. |
Hart private venture | Four privately funded aircraft built for development and sales demonstrations. Various engines fitted, including Bristol Jupiter and Pegasus, RR Kestrel V, AS Panther. |
Hart Two-Seat Fighter | Dedicated 2-seat fighter version for 23 Sqn RAF. Supercharged Kestrel IIS engine. Later developed into Hawker Demon. |
Hart (Communications) | Version for 24 Sqn RAF for communications duties. No bomb gear or gun armament. |
Hart (India) | Tropical bomber version with new breather vents in engine cowling, Kestrel IB engine, additional water stowage and supply container racks. |
Hart S.E.D.B. | Single Engine Day Bomber – official designation for Mk I bomber. Kestrel IB engine. |
Hart (Special) | Bomber version for Middle East use with lighter derated Kestrel X engine (515 hp), larger radiator and low pressure tyres with main wheel brakes. |
Estonian Hart | Export version with 525 hp Kestrel IIS engine and interchangeable wheel and float undercarriage. |
Swedish Hart | Export version for Sweden. 580 hp Bristol Pegasus IM2 radial engine. Hawker-built. |
Naval Hart | Hart first prototype converted in 1929 for evaluation by Fleet Air Arm. Developed into the Hawker Osprey. |
B 4 | Redesignation of S 7A aircraft. 580 hp Bristol Pegasus IM2 engine. |
B 4A | Swedish-built Hart with 580 hp Nohab Mercury VIIA engine. |
B 4B | Version of B 4A with 755 hp Bristol Perseus XI engine. |
S 7A | Initial Swedish designation for UK-built Swedish Hart aircraft – later B 4. |
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Estonian Hart 151 – note the long exhaust pipes. (photo, via author) |
Estonian Hart 152. (photo, via author) |
History
Key Dates: | ||
May 1926 | Specification 12/26 issued by Air Ministry | |
December 1926 | Tender for bomber design submitted by Hawker | |
April 1927 | Mock-up of Hart design completed | |
July 1927 | Contract for one prototype placed with Hawker | |
? June 1928 | Maiden flight of Hart first prototype (J9052) | |
December 1928 | RAF evaluation begins | |
May 1929 | First production order for 15 aircraft | |
July 1929 | First public appearance at Olympia Aero Show | |
25 February 1930 | First production delivery to 33 Sqn RAF | |
7 September 1931 | Hart (India) first flight | |
early 1932 | First export order placed by Estonia | |
20 April 1932 | Hart Trainer prototype (K1996) first flight | |
March 1933 | Hart enters service with Auxiliary Air Force | |
6 January 1934 | Swedish Hart first flight | |
late 1935 | RAF begins to replace Hart bomber in regular squadrons | |
1936 | Hart bomber finally withdrawn from regular RAF squadrons | |
October 1936 | Last UK-production Hart delivered | |
1938 | Hart withdrawn from UK front-line service with Aux AF squadrons | |
July 1939 | Last RAF Harts withdrawn from frontline service in India | |
1939 | Hart Trainer replaced in the RAF training role by Harvard and Master | |
11 January 1940 | Swedish Harts join Finland’s Winter War with Russia | |
1943 | SAAF retires Hart from comms duties | |
1947 | Last Swedish Harts retired from service | |
1972 | ‘J9941’ (G-ABMR) presented to the RAF Museum, Hendon |
Operators
Military Operators
Canada – Air Force | (1 new build aircraft for trials) |
Egypt – Air Force | (14 ex-RAF aircraft) |
Estonia – Air Force | (8 new build aircraft) |
Germany – Luftwaffe | (1+ captured) |
South Africa – SAAF | (320+ Hart/Hart Special) |
Southern Rhodesia – Air Force | (3 ex-RAF aircraft) |
Sweden – Air Force | (46 new-build aircraft) |
UK – Fleet Air Arm | (5 ex-RAF aircraft) |
UK – Royal Air Force | (7 UK Sqns + 5 India/Middle East; 23 Flying Training Schools) |
Yugoslavia – Air Force | (4 RAF aircraft on short-term loan) |
Government Agencies
UK – A&AEE Boscombe Down | (Several used for test duties) |
Civilian Operators
None |
late 1960s. (photo, Robert Roggeman)
Specifications
Hawker Hart I/Hart S.E.D.B. |
---|
Role: Two-seat light day bomber |
Crew: Two |
Dimensions: Length 29 ft 4 in (8.94 m); Height 10 ft 5 in (3.17 m) tail down over propeller arc; Wing Span 37 ft 3 in (11.35 m); Wing Area 348.0 sq ft (32.33 sq m) |
Engine(s): One liquid-cooled, 12-cylinder Vee, Rolls-Royce Kestel IB of 525 hp (392 kW) – or Kestrel XDR of 510 hp (381 kW). |
Weights: Empty Equipped 2,530 lb (1148 kg); Loaded 4,554 lb (2066 kg) |
Performance: Maximum level speed 184 mph (296 kph) at 5,000 ft (1524 m); Time to 10,000 ft (3,048 m) 8 min 20 sec; Service ceiling 21,350 ft (6,506 m); Range 470 miles (756 km); Endurance 2 hr 45 min. |
Armament: One forward firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers Mk.II or Mk.III machine-gun in port forward fuselage side; one 0.303 Lewis gun on ring mounting in rear cockpit with seven 97-round magazines; up to 520 lb (236 kg) of bombs under lower wings. |
Hawker Hart (Trainer) |
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Role: Tandem two-seat advanced trainer |
Crew: Two |
Dimensions: Length 29 ft 4 in (8.94 m); Height 10 ft 5 in (3.17 m) tail down over propeller arc; Wing Span 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m); Wing Area 349.5 sq ft (32.47 sq m) |
Engine(s): One liquid-cooled, 12-cylinder Vee, Rolls-Royce Kestel IB of 525 hp (392 kW) – or Kestrel VDR or XDR of 510 hp (381 kW). |
Weights: Empty Equipped 3,020 lb (1370 kg); Loaded 4,150 lb (1882 kg) |
Performance: Maximum level speed 168 mph (270 kph) at 3,000 ft (914 m); Time to 10,000 ft (3,048 m) 6 min 30 sec; Service ceiling 22,800 ft (6,950 m); Range 430 mls (692 km); Endurance 2 hr 30 min. |
Armament: None. |
Production
Design Centre
Head of Design Team: Sydney Camm
Design Office: H. G. Hawker Engineering Co. Ltd, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey. (Hawker Aircraft Ltd 1933+).
Manufacture
H. G. Hawker Engineering Co. Ltd
(Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Hart proto. | 1 | Canbury Park Road | Oct 1927-May 1928 |
Hart Mk I | 15 | Kingston | June 1929-Feb 1930 |
Hart Experimental | 4 | Kingston | 1930-1931 |
Hart Mk I | 32 | Kingston | Nov 1930-Jan 1931 |
Hart Trainer proto. | 1 conv Audax | Kingston | early 1932 |
Hart 2-seat Fighter | 6 | Kingston | 1930-1931 |
Hart India | 50 | Kingston | Sept 1931-April 1932 |
Hart India | 2 | Kingston | early 1934 |
Hart India | 5 | Kingston | early 1937 |
Hart Bomber | 46 | Kingston | Feb 1932-May 1932 |
Hart Communications | 4 | Kingston | Feb 1932-May 1932 |
Hart Trainer (Interim) | 2 | Kingston | early 1932 |
Hart Trainer | 13 | Kingston | Apr 1933-June 1933 |
Hart Trainer | 21 | Kingston | Feb 1934 |
Hart Trainer Srs 2 | 20 | Kingston | Mar-Apr 1935 |
Estonian Hart | 8 | Kingston | 1932 |
Swedish Hart (B 4) | 4 | Kingston | early 1934 |
Total: | 234 |
Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft Co Ltd
(Coventry, West Midlands, UK.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Hart S.E.D.B | 24 | Coventry | July 1933-Nov 1933 |
Hart S.E.D.B | 46 | Coventry | Mar 1934-July 1934 |
Hart Communications | 4* | Coventry | Mar 1934-July 1934 |
Hart S.E.D.B | 18 | Coventry | June-July 1934 |
Hart Communications | 2 | Coventry | July 1934 |
Hart S.E.D.B | 59 | Coventry | Jan-May 1935 |
Hart Trainer Srs 2A | 167 | Coventry | July 1935-Feb 1936 |
Hart Trainer Srs 2A | 136** | Coventry | Mar-Oct 1936 |
Total: | 456 |
* not 2 as given in some sources.
** not 146 as given in some sources.
Gloster Aircraft Co Ltd
(Hucclecote, Gloucestershire, UK.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Hart Special | 16 conv Audax | Hucclecote | July-Aug 1935 |
Hart Special | 30 | Hucclecote | Nov 1935-Feb 1936 |
Total: | 46 |
Vickers Aircraft Co Ltd
(Weybridge, Surrey, UK.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Hart S.E.D.B | 65 | Weybridge | 18 Feb 1932-April 1933 |
Hart S.E.D.B | 45 | Weybridge | Feb 1934-April 1934 |
Hart Communications | 2 | Weybridge | Feb 1934-April 1934 |
Hart Trainer Srs 2A | 114 | Weybridge | May 1935-28 May 1936 |
Total: | 226 |
ASJA
(Trollhattan, Sweden.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Swedish Hart (B 4A) | 18 | Trollhattan | 1935-1936 |
Total: | 18 |
Götaverken
(Gothenburg, Sweden.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Swedish Hart (B 4A) | 3 | Gothenburg | 1935-1936 |
Total: | 3 |
Central Workshops of the Air Force (CVM)
(Malmo, Sweden.) |
|||
Version | Quantity | Assembly Location | Time Period |
Swedish Hart (B 4A) | 19 | Malmo | 1935-1936 |
Swedish Hart (B 4B) | 2 | Malmo | 1935-1936 |
Total: | 21 |
Total Produced: 962 a/c in UK + 42 a/c in Sweden = 1004 a/c, (incl. 474 trainers and 460 bombers).
Production List
To be added.
More Information
Books
‘Hawker Aircraft Since 1920’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by Francis K Mason
Published by Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1991 ISBN: 0 85177 839 9
* Detailed company history with a chapter on the Hart.
‘British Flight Testing: Martlesham Heath 1920-1939’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by Tim Mason
Published by Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1993 ISBN: 0 85177 857 7
* Includes a summary of the aircraft flight testing conducted on the Hart.
‘The British Bomber Since 1914’ [Order this book from Amazon UK]
by Francis K. Mason
Published by Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994 ISBN: 0 85177 861 5
* Includes a section on the Hart.
‘No.5 – Hawker Hart & derivatives (Aeroguide Classics)’
by Ray Rimell
Published by Linewrights Ltd, May 1989 ISBN: 0-946958-34-3
* Excellent pictorial reference to the Hart.
‘The Hawker Hart: Profile No.57’
by Francis K. Mason
Published by Profile Publications Ltd, 1965 ISBN: n/a
* Concise well illustrated history of the Hart.
Magazines
Planes Spring 1983
Air Enthusiast No.96 Nov/Dec 2001 & No.97 Jan/Feb 2002
Aeroplane Monthly November 1980
Scale Aircraft Modelling February 1993
Links
wikipedia: Hawker Hart
(concise profile)
Hawker Hart
(British Aircraft of World War II: summary history)
Hawker Hart in Detail
(Close-up photos of Swedish Hart)
Hawker Hart
(British Aircraft Directory: summary of key info)
Hawker Hart
(RCAF use of Hart)
Shop
Flight Simulator Models:
To be added.
Scale Models:
To be added.
Scale Drawings:
Scale Aviation Modeller July 2004
Aviation NewsVol.8 No.5
Videos:
Hawker Hart
(1930s movie of Hart in RAF service)
hiya
just registered and put on my todo list
hopefully this is just what im looking for, looks like i have a lot to read.
pretty cool stuff here thank you!!!!!!!
For 1/72 appearance and modelling purposes is there any significant differences between the Hart and its variant the Hawker Hardy?
Hello! , I’m a newby. suppose say hi.
see you around and Thankyou (sorry if the wrong place to post this)
Hello I am looking for a photo of a Hawker Hart Trainer built around 1926/27 which I can use in a memoirs of a man who was a Captan Machine operator at Hawkers at that time. I have a picture of a Cignet, which I saw in flight last year at the Shuttleworth Collection but since Norman was specific I would really appreciate finding the correct picture. The second question would be do you know of one restored anywhere in the UK?
many thanks
Diana
Having just looked more carefully at the pitures above – Is the Hart Trainer at Hendon or another RAF museum?
The photo was taken at Hendon.
Regards,
John
My grandfather flew in K2442 on 10 February 1933. Dual instruction. I’m having so much fun tracking down images of actual planes he’s been in.
@Sarah Yates,
Did your grandfather ever fly K2429? That was a Hawker Hart also with 33 Sqn? My grandfather gave me some photos from his time in the RAF during the 1930’s when I joined in 1990. pauljrix at gmail dot com
Hi all
An old friend who died about 5 years ago aged 104 gave us a beautiful wooden bowl he made from the boss of a hawker hind bi-plane with this note:-
The bowl was made from the boss of a hawker hind bi-plane, possibly manufactured in 1934. I in listed in the RAf in January 1941 and was stationed at a small flying field near the village of Haddenham, near Thame Oxfordshire.
Churchill’s forethought was for creating a glider force and No 1 glider training squadron was the outcome. Our commanding officer was originally the manager of Dunstable gliding club. towing planes were in very short supply and we’re constantly in use, with several prangs. One overshot the landing area and crashed onto the roof of the sergeants mess. Fortunately the pilot escaped unhurt but the planes propeller was a write off. Aircraft fitter George Cutts salvaged the remains, plugged the bolt holes and on a makeshift lathe turned it into a bowl. The timber is mahogany and laminated joints were to give added strength.
I would love to find out more about this plane. The bowl is beautiful.
George was a lovely man who became an adopted grandfather for my children, we used to call him “Mr fix it”
No 33 Squadron, equiped with Harts, was based at RAF Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppey. Kent in the early 1930s. See http://www.eastchurchaviationmuseum.org.uk & Facebook Aviation History At Eastchurch