HAWKER HURRICANE

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by GORDON MACKERRACHER, Oct 22, 2021.

  1. Hi Guys could anybody tell me where i could obtain build specifications and part serial numbers used on a Hawker Hurricane Gloster Built
     
  2. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Mk and airframe serial number are recorded on the individual AM78 movement form held by RAF Museum.

    Air Britain serial books various for each serial range summarise the AM78 but also add manufacturer contract groups so this can narrow down Gloster built individuals.

    If you are looking for component parts then they carry the drawing and issue number - this is common to any of the contracted builders and will not identify Gloster specifically.

    As an aside I obtained a seat for my build that came from a Meteor MkII that was built to Hawker drawing but stamped with Z marking from Martin Baker.

    Ross
     
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  3. Ewen Scott

    Ewen Scott Well-Known Member

  4. thank you great information book ordered from Aie Britain today
     
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  5. thanks guys
    I have found in a Belgium Museum a propeller i believe came from a Hurricane P2825 shot down in Belgium in 1940
    My friend in Belgium and fellow researcher got permission from the museum to remove the nose cone and found a corroded serial number and the words Merlin III, i have tried to identify this number to this particular engine, but up until now unable to do so as the original engine on AM 78 form engine number 144494 in this craft blew up under test and a new engine was obtained from RR
    RR cannot tell me from their records what engine was fitted to or what aircraft, and now stumped, can any of you guys know where i can turn to next i have tried all the obvious places but no joy
    this aircraft was issued to `19 mu on the 4/04/40 on authority 3424 taken on charge 17/04/40 authority number 1633A and transferred to 3SQU 13/05/40 on authority no 1623d i do not know who changed the engine but the aircraft only flew for three days before being shot down on the 16th May 1940
    thanks Guys
     
  6. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    What sort of condition is the propeller in? Patrick Gifford has no recorded burial, so presumably he went in with the aircraft.
     
  7. RAFCommands

    RAFCommands Senior Member

    Form 1180 records engine serials fitted at time of crash but this series of cards is for FA (Flying Accident).

    The incident looks to have been defined as FB (Flying Battle) eg due to enemy action on reporting so no F1180 raised.

    Squadron Leader P Gifford: report of death; Hurricane P2825 shot down over Hamme-Mille,... | The National Archives

    This is the Personnel Accident report raised at the time with subsequent attachments to become the Casualty Report.

    Contents are variable but it may contain clues that you can relate to more modern local findings.

    Ross
     
  8. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

  9. HI Blutto
    Thanks for reply
    The prop is in very poor condition and only a partial serial number can be seen
    For Patrick himself we believe after my 22 years of research and with guys researching in Belgium itself, we also know his body was removed from this Hurricane by 262 field Royal Engineers and given to the local parish for burial. this was done very quickly as the German infantry was advancing into this area of Belgium
    We also have his flying record book which was in the aircraft at the time, why he was carrying it we do not know, this was returned to Scotland by SGT Willi Rothenberg a German soldier who removed it from the craft, in the letter that accompanied this book no mention of a body being in the craft at the time, Hence we know being removed the day before by 262
    We also know that his body was buried under an assumed name and we that we also know this man never existed and his name has since been struck from CWGC records, this body was exhumed by CWGC in 1954 and moved to an official CWGC site.
    Unfortunately even although we know they did move the body, they tell me they would never move a body any distance (we bit contradictory.)
    We do believe we know where his last resting place is and after all this time still trying to join the the dots to convince CWGC to have his name engraved on his grave stone
    we live in hope
    thanks Gordon
     
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  11. Yes thank you Ross
     
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  13. Sorry Ross
    Meant to say that yes Patrick Gifford was shot at over Hamme-Mille but did not crash there we believe it was approx 70 klm further, we have hopefully identified where this is and my researchers on the ground in Belgium are looking into this as we speak
    thanks Gordon
     
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  15. Thank you David
     
  16. Blutto

    Blutto Banned

    Hi Gordon,
    Just noticed the other thread involving Squadron Leader Gifford that I had read in the past and quite forgotten about.
    Good luck!
     

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