We were debating which Hurricane to use during the latter part of our BoF campaign. We were using the Hurricane fixed pitch and considered used the vanilla "1938" Hurricane. I successfully argued for the inclusion of the 12lb Hurricane. This was my post over on the Tangmere Pilots forum;
As most of you know, I've requested that the Hurricane Mk.I 12lb boost be included at some point (the sooner the better imho) during our BoF campaign. Bunny raised a couple of interesting questions about the aircraft; when was it in service and did they use them during the Battle of France campaign? I've done some research on the aircraft this morning but I'll clarify the differences between the 3 Hurricanes.
Hurricane Mk.I early, 1938: 2 blade Watts fixed pitch prop, no boost
Hurricane Mk.I, 1938: 3 blade Rotol constant speed prop, 6¼ lb boost
Hurricane Mk.I 12 lbs, 1940: 3 blade Rotol constant speed prop, 12 lb boost
The 12lb Hurri's were being tested late in 1939 and were in squadron service by February 1940.
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...rb-16feb40.jpg
From what I've read the 6¼ lb'ers could be modified by the squadrons themselves to give a maximum boost rating of 12 lbs.
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/ap1590b.jpg
The 1st combat reports of a 12 lb boost being used in France are from 18th May 1940 with F/Lt I. R. Gleed of 87 Squadron (based in Lille) and S/L E. M. Donaldson and P/O John Bushell both of 151 Squadron (based in Vitry).
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...ed-18may40.jpg
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...e/bushell.html
http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...dn-18may40.pdf