Service History
The Royal Iraqi Air Force operated 77 Iraqi Furies across three squadrons from 1947 through the late 1960s, making Iraq one of the largest export customers for the Fury variant. Numbers 1, 4, and 7 Squadrons flew the type extensively throughout two decades of service, primarily in the fighter and ground attack roles. The aircraft proved particularly valuable during the Kurdish uprisings of the 1960s, where Iraqi Furies conducted close air support missions, village attacks, and strikes against rebel roadblocks and troop concentrations. The type remained in frontline service until replaced by Soviet-supplied Sukhoi Su-7 fighters between 1967 and 1969.
Production and Variants
Iraq's initial order in December 1946 called for 30 Fury F.1 single-seat fighters and 2 Fury T.52 trainers, delivered between 1947 and 1948. Satisfied with the aircraft's performance, Iraq placed additional orders for 20 more F.1 variants in 1951, followed by another 25 aircraft by 1953. This brought the total Iraqi Fury fleet to 62 single-seat fighters and 2 trainers. Hawker demonstrated considerable flexibility in meeting export demands, even purchasing ex-Fleet Air Arm Sea Furies for conversion to land-based configuration. One notable example was ex-FAA aircraft WM484, which became Iraqi serial number 305 in October 1952.
Design Heritage
Sydney Camm led the design team that created the Fury as an evolution of the successful Hawker Tempest. Originally developed to meet RAF Specification N.22/43 for a high-performance piston fighter, the design emphasized speed and agility while maintaining the robust construction that characterized Camm's fighters. The Iraqi variant retained the Sea Fury's fundamental airframe but eliminated naval-specific equipment such as carrier landing gear and folding wings. Key prototype VB857 flew on 31 January 1946, establishing the performance benchmarks that would make the design attractive to export customers.
The Manufacturer
Hawker Aircraft built the Iraqi Fury at their Kingston facility in the United Kingdom, continuing a legacy that began in 1920 with the company's founding. Under Sydney Camm's leadership, Hawker had produced legendary World War II fighters including the Hurricane and Typhoon. The company aggressively pursued export markets in the postwar era, recognizing that domestic military contracts would be insufficient to sustain production. Hawker merged into Hawker Siddeley in 1963, which subsequently became part of British Aerospace in 1977 and finally BAE Systems in 1999, where the heritage continues today.
Engine and Performance
The Bristol Centaurus 18-cylinder sleeve-valve radial engine powered the Iraqi Fury, delivering up to 2,500 horsepower with exceptional reliability. Bristol Aero Engines manufactured the Centaurus from 1944 into the 1950s, producing thousands of units for various aircraft types. The engine's sleeve-valve design provided smooth power delivery and excellent high-altitude performance, enabling the Iraqi Fury to achieve maximum speeds exceeding 460 miles per hour. This performance capability made it competitive with early jet fighters in certain combat scenarios, particularly in turning engagements where the piston engine's instant throttle response proved advantageous.
Combat Characteristics
Armed with four 20mm Hispano cannons and capable of carrying rockets and bombs for ground attack missions, the Iraqi Fury combined formidable firepower with excellent handling characteristics. The aircraft's service ceiling exceeded 35,000 feet, while its climb rate of approximately 4,000 feet per minute allowed rapid altitude changes crucial in combat situations. The robust construction that enabled carrier operations in the Sea Fury variant translated to exceptional durability in the harsh Middle Eastern environment, contributing to the type's longevity in Iraqi service.
Legacy
The Iraqi Fury represented the final chapter in the evolution of high-performance piston fighters, serving as a bridge between World War II technology and the jet age. While none remain in flying condition today, at least one example - the former Iraqi serial 305 - has appeared in the warbird market as "the last of the Baghdad Furies." The success of the Iraqi export program validated Hawker's postwar strategy of adapting proven naval designs for land-based customers, establishing a template that would influence British aircraft exports throughout the 1950s.