Hawker Hurricane
Hawker Hurricane LF363 Mk IIc (YB-W). Photo by Ian Bracegirdle
The Hurricane, designed by Sir Sydney Camm and built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd in the 1930's is a single-seat fighter Aircraft, some of the production was also undertaken by Canada Car and Foundry Co Ltd. The 1930's design of the Hawker Hurricane included several variations which resulted in a series of interceptor-fighters, fighter-bombers (also called Hurribombers), and ground support Aircraft. There were also other variations known as the Sea Hurricane which enabled operations from ships due to a different modification in the build of the Aircraft. Some of the Hawker Hurricanes were converted as catapult-launched convoy escorts, these were known as Hurricats. The Hurricane, along with the Supermarine Spitfire is prominently known as aiding the Royal Air Force (RAF) in winning the Battle of Britain of 1940. Even though the Supermarine Spitfire has risen to popularity as being the victor of the Battle of Britain Flight, the Hawker Hurricane actually shot down more enemy Aircraft. Around 14,000 Hawker Hurricanes were built by the end of 1944 (including about 1,200 converted to Sea Hurricanes and around 1,400 built in Canada), and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
Sir Sydney Camm Hurricane event at North Weald - Sunday 25th October 2009
This event was staged towards the end of the flying season and was organised by the Sir Sydney Camm Commemorative Society to help raise funds to buy and erect a Hurricane replica in Sir Sydney Camm's home town of Windsor to celebrate his life, 1893 - 1966.
This well organised event brought together four Airworthy Hurricanes. Their owners and pilots and no less than twelve Wartime Hurricane pilots. The veterans were on hand to meet and talk to the large gathering of enthusiasts and also carry out interviews and were available for book and print signings. All four Hurricanes were available to Photographers on static display and the three visiting Aircraft carried out flypast's on their departure in the late afternoon.
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon
Many thanks to the Hurricane operators and event staff who helped to make this event possible.
Maybe this will become an annual event (a North Weald Hurricane meet).
Full credit is deserved by the Sir Sydney Camm Trust for organising this event at North Weald, a former World War II Hurricane base.
The Sir Sydney Camm Commemorative Society
Hurricane R4118 - The only Hurricane from the Battle of Britain still flying
Historic Aircraft Collection Limited
Airworthy Hawker Hurricanes
Hawker Hurricane Mk XII G-HURI Z5140 (HA-C)
Z5140, registered as G-HURI. It is a Canadian-built Mk XII Hurricane and is painted to represent a Royal Air Force 126 Squadron Hurricane Mk IIB and is operated by the Historic Aircraft Collection at Duxford.
Historic Aircraft Collection Limited
Photo by Bruce Martin
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc G-AMAU PZ865 (JX-E) - The Last of the Many
PZ865, the last Hurricane ever built, with "The Last of the Many" operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Photo by Ross Cannon
Hawker Hurricane LF363 Mk IIc (YB-W)
LF363, first flown on the 1st of January 1944 and was in continuous service with the RAF until a crash landing in 1991 at RAF Wittering. LF363 was completely rebuilt over a 4 year period before rejoining the BBMF.
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Photo by Ian Bracegirdle
Hawker Sea Hurricane Mk IB G-BKTH Z7015 (7-L)
Z7015, registered as G-BKTH and operated by the Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden. The Aircraft was in formerly in service with 759 and 880 Naval Air Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.
Photo by Colin Sayce - Airshowphotomania.ifp3.com
Hawker Hurricane Mk I G-HUPW R4118 (UP-W)
R4118 is owned by Peter Vacher and kept at North Moreton Airfield in Oxfordshire. After six years of negotiations in India, the Aircraft was brought to this Country and restored over a three year period. The Aircraft was re-built as close to its original condition during the Battle of Britain.
Hurricane R4118 official Website
Photo by Bob Franklin
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIB G-HHII BE505 (XP-L) Hurri Bomber
BE505 is owned by Peter Teichman from the Hangar 11 collection based at North Weald in Essex. This Aircraft was built in 1942 and flew throughout the War with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and is the only Airworthy example of the Hurribomber in existence. The restoration of the Aircraft started in 2005 by Hawker Restorations Limited in Suffolk, and the Aircraft finally took to the skies again on the 27th January 2009.
Peter Teichman's Hangar 11 collection
Photo by Bob Franklin
Hawker Hurricane Mk IV G-HURY KZ321 (JV-N)
KZ321 was built by Hawker Aircraft Limited and was first flown in 1935. It was assigned to number six Squadron RAF in Italy in 1943 and also operated in Greece and Yugoslavia. The Aircraft was returned to the United Kingdom in 1983 and restored between 2001 and 2003. Registered as G-HURY and flown by The Fighter Collection. The Aircraft was acquired by Vintage Wings in Canada in 2006 and registered as CF-TPM, the last Hurricane Mk IV in existence.
Photo by Bruce Martin
Hawker Hurricane restorations
Battle of France Hawker Hurricane Mk I L-series restoration at Little Gransden
The Hurricane restoration project has evolved from the remains of three Aircraft, L1639, BD731 and ZN504 and also parts from LF363 which made an emergency landing at RAF Wittering several years ago and was almost destroyed by the fire that engulfed it. It has since been totally restored and is currently on strength with The Battle of Britain Flight.
Other parts of have been sourced from Aircraft crash sites in France. The restoration started in 1997 and will take several more years to complete. The restoration team consists of about 35 volunteers and so far approximately 50,000 man hours have been spent on the project. When the refurbishment is finished the Aircraft will be maintained in a taxiable condition.
Paul Rogers the project manager from the Cambridge Bomber and Fighter Society would like to thank the following for their continued help with this project. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Tony Ditheridge from Hawker Restoration Limited, Mark Jefferies and Dave Poile MBE and finally the volunteers who give their time to this worthy project.
Images courtesy of Ross Cannon