Sir Sydney Camm
Sydney Camm, born in Windsor, on 5th August, 1893
Sydney Camm, was born in Windsor, on 5th August, 1893. After leaving school Camm became an apprentice woodworker. He developed an interest in aircraft at an early age and his first interest in aeronautics was spurred on by his membership in the Windsor Model Aeroplane Club. In 1912 he built a man-carrying glider. Later, Sydney Camm joined the G. H. Martinsdale aeroplane company and worked there throughout the First World War. In was during this period he had his first experience of designing aircraft.
Sydney Camm early years
Having gained some experience at the Martinsdale aeroplane company, in 1922 Sydney Camm joined the Hawker Engineering Company in Kingston-upon-Thames, England. Although he joined as Senior Draftsman, his ability was evident and he was soon promoted to Chief Designer, a position which he acheived in 1925. (some sources suggest Sydney Camm became Chief Designer in 1924). The first aircraft he designed was the Cygnet light plane of 1924
After becoming the Chief Designer at Hawker, Sydney Camm was responsible for a number of designs. In 1929 he produced his first really sucessful aircraft, the Hornet bomber. This remained in production for several years. The basic design was also used for the Hawker Fury fighter.
Sydney Camm and the Hawker Hurricane
Sydney Camm designed the Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane Mk1
The Hawker Hurricane was perhaps Sydney Camm's best known design, made famous by it's role in the Battle of Britain alongside the Supermarine Spitfire. Camm started the design in response to an Air Ministry requirement for a new fighter in 1934. The new design proceeded well, and the prototype Hawker Hurricane made its first flight on 6th November 1935.
Sydney Camm designed the Hawker Hunter, one of the most sucessful Postwar Jets
The performance of the Hurricane was good for it's day, and it was the first British fighter to exceed 300mph. The Air Ministry was suitably impressed, and placed an order for 600 aircraft. The first of these was delivered in 1937.
Throughout the war Camm made improvements to the Hurricane. This included the Hawker Hurricane Mk.II which had the more powerful 1,280 hp Rolls Royce Merlin XX and the Hawker Hurricane Mk D which carried two 20 mm cannons which were extremely effective against tanks and were used chiefly in the Desert War. Camm also designed the Hawker Typhoon that began production in 1942 and Hawker Tempest in 1944.
After the war Camm designed jet aircraft such as the Sea Hawk and the Hunter, which won the world air speed record and remained operational for 20 years. He also designed the vertical take off and landing P-1127 Kestrel in 1958. Sydney Camm was on the board of Hawker Siddeley Aviation from 1935 until his death at Richmond, Surrey on 12th March, 1966.
