Hawker Hardy Mk 1

The Hawker Hardy was a general purpose variant of the Hawker Hart and Audax a two-seat, light bomber biplane developed in the 1920s against Specification G.23/33. It was intended to provide a hot weather replacement for the Westland Wapiti aircraft being used by 30 Sqn for Army co-operation and policing duties in Iraq.

The modifications included a large tropical radiator, message hook, under-wing racks for light bombs and underwing panniers as supply / water containers. After successful trials of the prototype, which was first flown on 7th September 1934, the first production aircraft was delivered to 30 Sqn on 30 April 1935 in Mosel, Iraq.

The production run of 47 aircraft was completed by the Gloster Aircraft Co Ltd at Hucclecote, with the first being K4050. Most production aircraft were fitted with large low-pressure tyres for operation on rough ground, of which precisely non were delivered to 30 Sqn.

Compared to the Wapiti, elements of the Hardy's performance left something to be desired, and HQ Iraq Command were not entirely happy with its the new aircraft. It was considered to have a lack of carrying capacity, short endurance, high landing speed - not good for 'hot and high' operations. This being said, the Hardy was built to out manoeuvre all the aircraft of the Iraqi Air Force, and it could.

However, the Hardy only lasted 3 years with 30 Sqn and was replaced by the Blenheim.