HOW ‘FLYING CAN OPENER’ EVOLVED

MARK IIB, with 12 Browning guns in the wings. Some were also fitted with bomb racks, while there was a tropical variant with dust filters for the engine MARK IIC, with four 20mm Hispano cannons, two on either wing, as well as hardpoints for bombs. 4,711 were built and the plane was often known as the ‘Hurribomber’ MARK IID, equipped with two Vickers 40mm cannon for attacking tanks and armoured vehicles. Nicknamed ‘the Flying Can Opener’ MARK IV, with stronger armour and a universal wing that could carry a wide range of armaments