Hawker Nimrod Country: UK Type: Fighter Manufacturer: Hawker Service: 1933 - 1939 First Flight: 1930 Production: 92

The Hawker Nimrod was a British carrier-based fighter aircraft built between the First World War and the Second World War by Hawker Aircraft. What would become the Nimrod was developed as a private venture as the Hawker Norn. The production version which was given the name Nimrod.

The Nimrod arose out of the need for more modern aircraft within the Royal Navy. The Nimrod, like its land-based counterpart the Hawker Fury, was amongst the latest in a long line of fighters dating back to the Sopwith designs which fought in World War One. Designed by Sydney Camm the Nimrod followed the standard design philosophy of the time in being a single-seater biplane with open cockpit, fixed undercarriage, and twin machine guns using interrupter gear to fire through the propeller. With a top speed of 193 mph it was a vast improvement over the Flycatcher, though marginally slower than the Hawker Fury. Like that aircraft however it had been replaced by more modern designs such as the Gloster Sea Gladiator by the time war was declared.

The first production Nimrod Is entered service in 1933 with 801 Naval Air Squadron, 802 Naval Air Squadron and 803 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. The Nimrod II with arrestor gear, more powerful engines, and increased area tail surfaces followed in September 1934, One aircraft was supplied to Japan, one to Portugal, and two went to Denmark.

General characteristics