With the beginning of the expansion of the RAF in 1934, the aviation Ministry has developed a technical specification for a light bomber that could serve as a replacement for the Hart bomber prior to operation of new generation aircraft such as the Bristol Blenheim and Fairey Battle. Company Hawker proposed a model, designed on the basis of the aircraft Hart, with more powerful Kestrel V engine, tail wheel instead of a crutch and some modifications, including the modification of the back of the cab (to improve conditions, increasing the field of fire and ensure the prone position when bombing). The prototype was named the Hawker Hind and made its first flight 12 September 1934, and on 4 September 1935, started manufacture of Hind.

Yugoslav Hind in silver and natural metal finish
Yugoslav Hind in silver and natural metal finish

By the spring of 1937. bombers the UK has received 338 aircraft Hind, and 114 were in the service in seven auxiliary air force squadrons. The aircraft also were delivered to the Indian air force, New Zealand, South Africa, Afghanistan, Latvia, Persia (Iran), Portugal, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. Hind was finally withdrawn from service in the UK in 1943, Portugal and Ireland, in 1944, Iran in 1948, in Afghanistan in 1949.

For the most of the service, Hind was simply finished with polished metal area and silver painted fabric area. On such finished airplane was applied national insignia and markings. Beginning of the WW2 result in adopt of the camouflage pattern which did not last long as well Hind disappear fast from the sky as totally obsolete machine.

Srecko Bradic

All graphic LetLetLet Warplanes team

1 thought on “Hawker Hind

  1. Your Nisr picture is Number 28 not 82. My father flew as Navigator in it on 22 Jun 42 when seconded to the RIAF from the RAF

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