JACQUES TREMPE COLLECTION
No. 1961. Hawker Hotspur (K8309) Royal Air Force
Aeroplane Photo Supply (APS) Photo No. 3190

Hawker Hotspur

Remarks by Chris Pinn: "K8309 was the only Hawker Hotspur built. It was derived from the Hawker Henley which was originally planned as a two-seat light bomber, but went into RAF service as a target tug. The Hotspur was Hawker's response to the request for a turret fighter, but the contract was placed with Boulton Paul resulting in the Defiant. The concept of the turret fighter did not prove successful, so many Defiants were converted to target tugs and replaced the Henleys. Although better as a target tug than the Henley, the Defiant was still far from perfect. The RAF finally got its first purpose designed target tug in the form of the Miles Martinet."


Created December 5, 2002