How many Hurricanes were there compared to Spitfires in…

How many Hurricanes were there compared to Spitfires in the Battle of Britain?

Short answer

By the end of June 1940, after the fall of France, 31 of Fighter Command's 61 fighter squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes. According to Fighter Command, the Hurricane accounted for 55% of the 2,739 German losses in that period, compared with 42% for the Spitfire.

Published: November 5, 2026 · Updated: November 5, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many Hurricanes were there compared to Spitfires in the Battle of Britain?

Hawker Hurricanes of No 1 Squadron, Royal Air Force, based at Wittering, Cambridgeshire, followed by a similar formation of Supermarine Spitfires of No 266 Squadron, during a flying display for aircraft factory workers, CH1561

From a 1933 idea to 31 squadrons

In 1933, British designer Sydney Camm held talks with Commander John Buchanan of the Directorate of Technical Development about a monoplane based on the existing Fury. By the outbreak of the Second World War, more than 550 Hurricanes had been built, equipping 18 squadrons, with another 3,500 on order. At the time of the German invasion of Poland, 16 Hurricane squadrons were operational and another two were in the process of converting. By the end of June 1940, after the fall of France, 31 of Fighter Command's 61 fighter squadrons were equipped with Hurricanes.

Dividing the work with the Spitfire

Both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hurricane are famous for their role in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe. Broadly speaking, Spitfires intercepted German fighters while Hurricanes concentrated on the bombers.

The victories credited

Despite the undoubted qualities of the "thoroughbred" Spitfire, the "workhorse" Hurricane claimed a greater number of RAF victories in that period. According to Fighter Command, the Hurricane accounted for 55% of the 2,739 German losses, compared with 42% for the Spitfire.