In this new guise, the aircraft reappeared as the "Woodcock Mk II" and its own first-flight was recorded in August of 1923. Additional testing resulted in some additional modifications being implemented but the Air Ministry liked what it saw and contracted for an initial batch of the new armed, night-capable fighters before the end of 1924. The service would eventually take on a stock of 62 of the fighters.
Dimensions included a length of 25.6 feet, a wingspan of 34.7 feet, and a height of 9 feet. Empty weight reached 2,015lb with a MTOW of 3,000lb. Performance specs included a maximum speed of 141 miles-per-hour, a cruising speed of 103 mph, arrange out to 280 miles, and a service ceiling of 22,500 feet.
Once inducted into service, the Woodcock II was assigned to Royal Air Force (RAF) No.3 Squadron in May of 1925 and first examples were delivered in March of the following year. The aircraft held an accident-prone existence early on - mainly due to structural issues - but modifications were made to help RAF pilots find favor in the design before the end.
The series was also used by No.17 Squadron of the RAF and taken into service by both the Danish Army and Navy air services. Three Danish aircraft carried the Jaguar IV engine and were armed with 2 x Madsen Machine Guns under the name of Hawker "Danecock". At least twelve airframes were constructed locally, under license, through the Danish Royal Naval Dockyard of Denmark and appeared with the designation of L.B. II "Dankok".
Total serial production of all types for all users ultimately reached 64 units and the type flew into 1936 even though the series had already been succeeded (officially) by the more modern Gloster "Gamecock" biplane as soon as 1928.
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