The schoolgirl genius who ameliorated the new generation Spitfire and Hurricane design
The schoolgirl genius who ameliorated the new generation Spitfire and Hurricane design that was deemed crucial in winning the Second World War.
Hazel Hill, a young 13-year-old north London schoolgirl mathematician who helped her father do the calculation that meant Spitfire’s could be built with eight guns instead of four. Spitfire the iconic aircraft that took part in the Battle of Britain 80 years ago today, and made a big difference to the outcome of the war.
In summer 1934, Hazel Hill was approached by her father, Captain Fred Hill, a scientific officer in the Air Ministry who was trying to make the case for the new generation of fighter planes.
It was revealed for the first time to mark the Battle of Britain’s 80th Anniversary in the summer of 1934 Frederick William (Gunner) best known for his pre-war calculations drafted his 13-year-old daughter Hazel Hill. Their calculations showed the high-speed fighters then being developed notably for the Spitfire and Hurricane, would need to armed with eight machine guns including the Coventry Ordinance works guns, tested ammunition to be used against Zeppelins including Brock bullet and designed and developed aircraft gun sights, in order for them to become the potent weapon that was crucial to the victory in the Battle of Britain.
Hazel Hill’s reward for her contribution was that she was given permission to sit in the cockpit of the plane she had helped design.