Hawker Hurricanes
G-ROBT - This aircraft, Hurricane MK 1 Serial Number P2902 was built by Gloster Aircraft during 1939- 1940 under contract no 962371/38/C.23a. It first flew on or around the 20th Oct 1939. By May 1940 P2902 was operational with 245 Fighter Squadron based at Drem on the East Coast of Scotland engaged on shipping protection patrols. Carrying the code DX and the individual code R for Robert the aircraft was crash landed on a beach in Dunkirk in 1940, after engaging two Messerschmitt 109’s, where it remained until recovered by French enthusiasts in 1988. It was obtained some time later by warbird operator Rick Roberts who subsequently employed the services of several restorers before finally engaging Hawker Restorations, where it is now being completed to flying condition.
G-HITT - Hurricane G-HITT Serial Number P3717 originally started life as a MkI Hurricane and was later converted to a MkII. It was built in 1940 and originally fitted with a Merlin 3 engine. It was delivered to 253 Squadron at Kirton in Lindsey on the 13th of July 1940 and was flown by Pilot Officer W M C Samolinski. Seven weeks later it was attacked by an Messerschmitt BF110. During the Battle of Britain P3717 was allocated to B Flight with Pilot Office Samolinksi. P3717 was involved in several dogfights between 253 Squadron and the aircraft of ZG2. Over Redhill in Surrey Samolinksi claimed the destruction of a BF110. The aircraft eventually found its way to Russia where it was retrieved and returned to the UK.
Other Aircraft Under Restoration
SE5A - This SE5A Serial Number C8996 is one of 35 sent out to Australia after World War I. Of the 35, 2 survive in Australia, one in Canberra and the other as a wreck, rescued from the bush in 1992, at Point Cook. The remainder were written off in accidents, 'destroyed by burning' pr scrapped. Only one was recorded as 'Components retained by Munitions Supply Board' - this was C8996. The Munitions Supply Board was located in Victoria, which is where this aeroplane came from. The engine, which was originally in an SE5a, had only run for 23 hours before being returned to England to be converted back to direct drive and has remained unused since ! The wings were found in Germany, having spent about fifty years as dividers in a Norfolk chicken farm. There is evidence (repairs etc) to show that they have been flown. Significant amounts of original fabric remain on two of the wings. An unused, but original, 1918 proprellor was found in Edinburgh and is with the aeroplane.
G-ROBT Pictures
G-HITT Pictures
SE5A Pictures
