Hawker Harrier

The Hawker Harrier was a British experimental biplane torpedo bomber aircraft built by Hawker Aircraft to a specification issued in the 1920s for the Royal Air Force.

Development

In 1925, the British Air Ministry laid down specifications for a high altitude bomber to replace the Hawker Horsley and for a coastal torpedo bomber (Specifications 23/25 and 24/25). As these specifications were similar, the Air Ministry announced that a single competition would be held to study aircraft submitted for both specifications.

Sydney Camm of Hawker Aircraft designed the Harrier to meet the requirements of Specification 23/25, with the prototype (J8325) first flying in February 1927, the first of the competitors for the two specifications to fly.

The prototype Harrier was tested at the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment (A & AEE) at Martlesham Heath in November 1927, where, while it met the requirements of Specification 23/25 and had satisfactory handling, the geared engine meant that it was underpowered,

The prototype was used by Bristol as an engine testbed, flying with the Bristol Hydra and the Bristol Orion engines.

|more general=

<!--

Powerplant

-->

|eng1 number=1

|eng1 name=Bristol Jupiter VIII

|eng1 type=nine-cylinder geared radial engine

|eng1 kw=

|eng1 hp=583

|eng1 shp=

|eng1 kn=

|eng1 lbf=

|power original=

|thrust original=

|eng1 kn-ab=

|eng1 lbf-ab=

|more power=

|prop blade number=2

|prop name=Watts wooden propeller

|prop dia m=

|prop dia ft=12

|prop dia in=3

|prop dia note=