Entering service with both the RAF and 43 squadron in May 1931, the Hawker Fury represented a great leap forward in the quality of fighters available to the RAF. By 1938 newer designs had started to encroach upon the small and nimble Hawker biplanes’ advantage but it still had an important place within the RAF. At the time of the Munich Crisis in 1938, when Europe once again looked set to descend into war, they received a coat of camouflage paint along with many other RAF types. This contrasted sharply with their previous all over silver colours but while war was averted for a short period, the storm clouds had gathered and would not depart.