The Battle of Britain Hawker Hurricane

[Daniel Cox]

Hi All,

Now that I finally have an example of the new tool 1/48 scale Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.I kit with one more on the way I will be building them as P3166 of 85 Squadron, during August 1940 and P2961 of 242 Squadron, during a date as yet undecided.

At some point I also hope to build at least another example of this kit representing P3576 of 249 Squadron, during 16 August 1940 as well.

Anyway since the Hawker Hurricane Mk.I is my favourite British single engined monoplane fighter aircraft from the Second World War and since I also have little access to primary source information on the Hawker Hurricane. I was hoping some of you fine gentlemen and gentlewomen might be able to help me with information relating to my builds, on the occasions when my 17 magazines and 22 books on the subject are sometimes found wanting.

Cheers,

Daniel.

[Daniel Cox]

Hi All,

To start I will repost the following information on P3166 that I had researched earlier and have previously posted on Britmodeller during March of 2012.

At first glance the photographic image found here: http://images.google.com/hosted/life/9e2782db8e3ae5dd.html as captured by William Vandivert of Life Magazine circa June-July of 1940 appears to be just another typical Hurricane of the Royal Air Force (RAF) wearing a B Scheme camouflage pattern circa June through August. While it is that, it is also a rare image of a Gloster built Hurricane Mk.I P3166 VY-Q of ”A” Flight, 85 Sqn. RAF as regularly flown at the time by Squadron Leader (S/Ldr) Peter Wooldridge Townsend, DFC of the RAF until its loss on Sunday the 31st of August 1940.

Since I am in the neighbourhood so to speak I thought I will share a little about this aircraft for those that may be interested in it.

First here is a listing of all entries for P3166 VY-Q from the 85 Sqn. Operations Record Book (ORB).

13 July 1940

VY-Q SGT Hampshire 0030 hrs to 0100 hrs Non-Operational Night Flying
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0540 hrs to 0725 hrs Operational Patrol Convoy

14 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1600 hrs to 1750 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2145 hrs to 2225 hrs Operational Dusk Patrol

15 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0600 hrs to 0710 hrs Operational Patrol as ordered

16 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0025 hrs to 0120 hrs Operational Night Patrol Red Line
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0455 hrs to 0515 hrs Operational Patrol

18 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0625 hrs to 0820 hrs Operational Patrol Convoy
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0950 hrs to 1030 hrs Operational Patrol as ordered
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1515 hrs to 1640 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

19 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1010 hrs to 1045 hrs Operational Patrol as ordered
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1240 hrs to 1300 hrs Operational Patrol as ordered

20 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0655 hrs to 0815 hrs Operational Interception on R/T orders
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2200 hrs to 2340 hrs Operational Night Patrol6
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1000 hrs to 1025 hrs Operational as ordered by R/T


20 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1615 hrs to 1720 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2310 hrs to 2350 hrs Operational Night Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0105 hrs to 0230 hrs Operational Night Patrol

21 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0425 hrs to 0440 hrs Operational Interception
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0825 hrs to 0930 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1500 hrs to 1520 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2200 hrs to 0025 hrs Operational Night Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0210 hrs to 0310 hrs Operational Night Patrol

22 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1010 hrs to 1035 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1500 hrs to 1630 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1920 hrs to 2005 hrs Operational Interception
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0210 hrs to 0310 hrs Operational Night Patrol

24 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0430 hrs to 0615 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1500 hrs to 1630 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

25 July 1940

VY-Q F/LT Hamilton 0430 hrs to 0610 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1815 hrs to 1825 hrs Operational Interception Cancelled

26 July 1940

VY-Q F/LT Hamilton 1255 hrs to 1305 hrs Operational Interception Cancelled

27 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1800 hrs to 1940 hrs Operational Destroyer Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2110 hrs to 2210 hrs Operational Destroyer Patrol

28 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1210 hrs to 1250 hrs Non-Operational to Debden and return
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1925 hrs to 2000 hrs Operational Patrol

29 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1 hour 45 minutes Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 45 minutes Operational Patrol

30 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0755 hrs to 0915 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1050 hrs to 1210 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1535 hrs to 1540 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1555 hrs to 1705 hrs Operational Patrol

31 July 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0455 hrs to 0550 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0840 hrs to 1015 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1140 hrs to 1310 hrs Operational Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1445 hrs to 1535 hrs Operational Patrol

1 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1150 hrs to 1230 hrs Operational Patrol Felixstowe in connection with
‘X’ Raid
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1445 hrs to 1610 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

2 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0700 hrs to 0830 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q SGT Howes 1455 hrs to 1515 hrs Non-Operational to Debden
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1545 hrs to 1630 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

5 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0955 hrs to 1130 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1450 hrs to 1635 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

6 August 1940

VY-Q F/SGT Allard 0545 hrs to 0705 hrs Operational ‘X’ Raid

7 August 1940

VY-Q SGT Ellis 0910 hrs to 0940 hrs Non-Operational to Sutton Bridge & Return Kiwi l
VY-Q SGT Ellis 0545 hrs to 0705 hrs Non-Operational Air Firing
VY-Q P/O Worrall 0545 hrs to 0705 hrs Non-Operational to Debden

8 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1330 hrs to 1515 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2010 hrs to 2040 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

9 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0500 hrs to 0645 hrs Operational Interception ‘X’ Raid
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1100 hrs to 1220 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1420 hrs to 1550 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2020 hrs to 2050 hrs Operational Interception ‘X’ Raid

10 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0640 hrs to 0700 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0730 hrs to 0900 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1125 hrs to 1145 hrs Non-Operational to Debden
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1645 hrs to 1705 hrs Non-Operational to Martlesham

11 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1510 hrs to 1535 hrs Operational Interception ‘X’ Raid
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1120 hrs to 1220 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1300 hrs to 1430 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

12 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0440 hrs to 0600 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0730 hrs to 0820 hrs Operational Interception ‘X’ Raid
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1230 hrs to 1410 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

13 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0605 hrs to 0720 hrs Operational Convoy Patrol

18 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1730 hrs to 1850 hrs Operational Category (a) 20 Enemy Aircraft Down and Damaged

20 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1450 hrs to 1535 hrs Operational Category (a)

21 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1440 hrs to 1550 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1015 hrs to 1045 hrs Operational Category (a)¹

22 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1325 hrs to 1500 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1910 hrs to 2015 hrs Operational Category (a)

25 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1710 hrs to 1805 hrs Operational Category (a)

26 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1205 hrs to 1305 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1450 hrs to 1555 hrs Operational Category (a) Combat Enemy casualties not yet confirmed
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1635 hrs to 1725 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 2310 hrs to 0030 hrs Operational Category (d)

27 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 0305 hrs to 0435 hrs Operational Category (d)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1340 hrs to 1515 hrs Operational Category (a)

28 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1300 hrs to 1310 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1340 hrs to 1515 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1600 hrs to 1640 hrs Operational Category (a) Combat
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1910 hrs to 2015 hrs Operational Category (a)

29 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1520 hrs to 1630 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1815 hrs to 1915 hrs Operational Category (a)

30 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1035 hrs to 1150 hrs Operational Category (a) Combat
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1225 hrs to 1240 hrs Operational Category (a)
VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1520 hrs to 1620 hrs Operational Category (a)

31 August 1940

VY-Q S/LDR Townsend 1730 hrs to 1850 hrs Operational Aircraft failed to return

¹ The listing for 21 August 1940 appears in that order on the 85 SQn. ORB

This aircraft eventually was lost on Sunday the 31st of August 1940 following Squadron Leader Peter Wooldridge Townsend DFC, being forced to abandoned his aircraft by parachute, while he landed on Cranbrook Road, Hawkhurst, P3166 fell on Bedgebury Park near Badgers Oak, Goodhurst.

To further explain what happened when P3166 was lost it's worth quoting part of the 85 Sqn. ORB for the day of 31 August 1940 as follows.

"Croydon 31/8/40.
Contact was made with enemy aircraft 9000 feet over TUNBRIDGE WELLS at about 1310 hours. About 50 enemy aircraft were seen consisting of Dorniers, M.E. 109's M.E. 110's and Jaguars. At this time enemy aircraft were withdrawing towards the south east. So Squadron climbed to pursue Jaguars. When level they were attacked by M.E. 109.
Squadron Leader Townsend fired a 3 second burst into a M.E. 109 which caused it to give out black and white smoke. It then slowed up and dived down, obviously out of control, in a left hand spiral. He then gave a 3 second burst to another M.E. 109 from quarter, which rolled over and went down, but there was no time to check up. Shortly afterwards Squadron Leader Townsend's machine was hit by a cannon shell and he was wounded in the foot. As he was covered with petrol and the engine was dead he decided to force-land, but finding he was over a densely wooded area, he baled out from 1400 feet and landed near HAWKHURST, aircraft crashing ¹/₂ mile away. He was taken by HAWKHURST police to CROYDON General Hospital (The nose cap of cannon shell was extracted from his left foot and big toe amputated). The HAWKHURST police put Squadron Leader Townsend's pulled parachute on view and raised £3 for a Spitfire fund."

It is also sobering to recount that of the seven pilots who flew P3166 VY-Q on Operations with 85 Squadron, five of them did not survive the war, these men are listed below;

Flight Lieutenant Harry Raymond Hamilton, 39316, Royal Air Force of 85 Squadron who was later killed on 29 August 1940 as a Squadron Leader of 106 Squadron RAF. The son of Walter Wesley Hamilton and Nina Pearl Hamilton of Oak Point, King’s Co. New Brunswick, Canada. Harry Hamilton now rests at the Rainham (St. Margaret) Churchyard, Kent, England.

Sergeant Harold Norman Howes, 740896, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve of 85 Squadron RAF who was later Killed on 22 December 1940. The son of Walter Charles and Louisa Clara Howes of Gillingham, England. Harold Howes DFM now rests at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, England.

Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Allard, 44551, Royal Air Force of 85 Squadron RAF who was later Killed on 13 March 1941 as a Flight Lieutenant of 85 Sqn. The son of Sydney Harold and Elizabeth Allard and husband of Kathleen Minnie Allard all of York, England. Geoffrey Allard DFC, DFM and Bar now rests at the Saffron Walden Cemetery, Essex, England.

Sergeant John Hugh Mortimer Ellis, 742068, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve of 85 Squadron RAF who was later Killed on 1 September 1940. The only son of Frederick John Ellis and Ethel May Ellis of Newnham, Cambridgeshire, England. John Ellis now rests at the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, England.

Pilot Officer Pyers Arthur Worrall, 42291, Royal Air Force of 85 Squadron who was later killed on 8 June 1942 as a Flight Lieutenant of 136 Squadron RAF. The son of Colonel Percival Reginald Worrall, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C., and Agnes Worrall, of Avon Dassett, England. Pyers Worrall now rests at the Calcutta (Bhowanipore) Cemetery, Kolkata, India.

Also for your interest, are the flying times for the whole of 85 Sqn. during the period that P3166 flew with the squadron appears below;

85 Squadron, Flying times for June 1940

Operational Day – 53 hours, 15 minutes.
Operational Night – 14 hours, 20 minutes.

Non-operational Day – 412 hours, 40 minutes.
Non-operational Night – 25 hours, 25 minutes.

Total – 505 hours, 40 minutes.

85 Squadron, Flying times for July 1940

Operational Day – 730 hours, 20 minutes.
Operational Night – 61 hours, 25 minutes.

Non-operational Day – 167 hours, 10 minutes.
Non-operational Night –5 hours, 10 minutes.

Total – 964 hours, 05 minutes.

85 Squadron, Flying times for August 1940

Day Flying – 1003 hours, 30 minutes.
Night Flying – 16 hours, 20 minutes.

Operational Flying – 853 hours, 30 minutes.
Non-operational Flying – 166 hours, 20 minutes.

Total – 1019 hours, 50 minutes.

Summary 85 Squadron, Flying times for June, July and August 1940

Day Flying All – 2366 hours, 55 minutes.
Night Flying All – 122 hours, 50 minutes.

Bibliography

Imperial War Museum Images

CH 89
CH 433
CH 1499
CH 1501
CH 1503
CH 1512
CH 1514
CH 2251

The National Archives, Kew

AIR 27/360 – No. 32 Squadron Operations Record Book
AIR 27/441 – No. 43 Squadron Operations Record Book
AIR 27/703 – No. 85 Squadron Operations Record Book
AIR 27/712 – No. 87 Squadron Operations Record Book
AIR 50/36 – No. 85 Squadron Combat Reports

Personal Flying Log Books

Flight Lieutenant Geoffrey Allard DFC, DFM and Bar

Books

Ramsey, Winston G. The Battle of Britain - Then and Now, Fifth Edition, Mk V, Battle of Britain International, London, 1989.
Holmes, Tony. Hurricane Aces 1939-40, Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 18, Osprey, London, 1998.
Price, Alfred. The Hardest Day, The Battle of Britain 18 August 1940, Cassell, London, 1998.
Price, Alfred, Dr. Battle of Britain Day, 15 September 1940, Greenhill, Uppingham, 2000.
Mason, Francis. K. The Hawker Hurricane, An Illustrated History, Crécy, Manchester, 2001.
Carter, Ian. Fighter Command: 1939-45, Photographs from the Imperial War Museum, Ian Allan, Hersham, 2002.
Birtles, Philip. Hurricane Squadrons, Part One, North West Europe and Malta, In Focus, Red Kite, Stevenge, 2003.

Internet Addresses

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/9e2782db8e3ae5dd.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/ac9ab0d896624320.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/be45a4a104f897f5.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/39347233e26e7a8e.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/cfdae91108f620cf.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/ab3610cc184cc2ba.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/44e8960602601e1a.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/60a7cb7cb45e82bd.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/26cd9b3a18b54c20.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/ade390eb68c28690.html
http://images.google.com/hosted/life/160f910a31f52a4c.html
http://www.cwgc.org/

Cheers,


Daniel.

[Daniel Cox]

Hi All,

In looking for images of Hawker Hurricane Mk. I aircraft, I came across an often published picture that is part of the Imperial War Museum's collection as CH 1674, which shows 257 Squadron pilots as captured in front of V6962(?) during November 1940.

IWM CH 1674

Anyway of interest in the crop shown below is the presence of what appears to be text applied to the Rotol spinner on V6962(?).

So my questions in this instance are, if it is text what does the text say and does any decal manufacturer supply a rendering of the same in 1/48 scale?

Cheers,

Daniel.

[Daniel Cox]

Hi All,

Since the fuselage length of this kit is rather topical see here on Britmodeller, for the interest of all I have undertaken another drawing comparison.

Since I can't find my copy of Arthur L. Bentley's 1/48 scale drawings of the Hawker Hurricane as published in the November 2005 edition of Model Aircraft Monthly as published by SAM Publications. I compared Part C8 of A05127 the Airfix 1/48 scale Hawker Hurricane Mk.I kit against the scale drawings by Richard J. Caruana as published in the 1999 SAM Publications, Modellers Datafile No.2, The Hawker Hurricane by Richard A. Franks.

Of interest is the fact that in length the Airfix kit part, matches Caruana's drawing far better than it does the Bentley drawing.

Cheers,

Daniel.

[gingerbob]

Hi Daniel, Happy new year!

I would be careful taking anything from Caruana as gospel. At any rate, it shouldn't be that hard to find a dimension to measure directly, rather than laying over some plan.

On the spinner, I can't help with specifics, but I imagine they are instructions about how to lock it- note that it is just forward of a slot with an arrow.

Good to see you fiddling with some plastic. I've yet to acquire one (or more) of these kits, but I do intend to solve that problem!

bob

[Daniel Cox]

Hi Bob,

Thank-you and a Happy New Year to you and your family as well.

As to Caruana's drawing, I just thought it was worth noting that his was effectively the same length as the Airfix kit part. That said I won't be measuring the kit until I've got it at least partially assembled, although I am not inclined to do any significant surgery to it at all even if it is a bit too long.

Regarding that arrow I hadn't identified it as such so thanks for that.

As to the kit itself, despite some of its (other minor) shortcomings which I will mention as I address them I am rather enthused by it. At the moment though I'm cleaning up parts in preparation for assembly which will start tomorrow, I will also start a Work In Progress thread when I've got a something worth showing. It is also worth mentioning that I will be using some Eduard Brassin items and photo-etch as well or these builds and that I'm also considering using some Archer resin rivets decals as well.

Cheers,

Daniel.

[Troy Smith]

Hi Daniel

regarding the new Airfix kit, Basilisk build is of particular note

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234986216-148-airfix-new-tool-hurricane-mki-p3039-from-no229-squadron-completed-on-31-10-at-1150-pm/

I'll add more later, but one point missed is I think Airfix have also made the Rotol backplate about twice as thick as it should be.

The kit was a bit of a disappointment to me, in particular the error on the metal side panel over the wing, shown here, http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234986216-148-airfix-new-tool-hurricane-mki-p3039-from-no229-squadron-completed-on-31-10-at-1150-pm/#entry2059044

I was hoping Airfix would really do the definitive kit, it's the best 'so far' in scale, but could have been 'the one'.

cheers

T

[Daniel Cox]

Hi Troy,

Thanks for posting Peter's build since I wasn't aware of it and it is the same kind of treatment I'm planning to apply to my builds reference the (other minor) shortcomings of which there are plenty which I am going to cover later. The only thing I am reluctant to address is the fuselage length simply because I doubt I could cut two kits shorter and make them match perfectly if they are displayed next to each other.

I also hadn't noticed the wing join treatment which I concur is rather disappointing, until I've finished cleaning up the parts for assembly I will go over it with the fine tooth comb.

That said I think it's the best 1/48 scale Hawker Hurricane kit to date, having said that despite the shortcomings of the Hasegawa kit especially regarding the rendering of the aft fuselage and the Port and Starboard Access Door Inside Fairings, the Airfix kit is in a number of ways a significant step backwards.

Some of the nicest things about the Hasegawa kit compared with the new Airfix kit is that out of the box it features representations of the tropical vents (all they require is sanding for the temperate Hurricane) on the port and starboard Rear Side Panels (plus the curve on the bottom those panels is also present), while the port Rear Side Panel has a correctly shaped Footstep Door. Plus there is a far better rendering of the detail at the front of the cowling just behind the spinner while the Dzus fasteners are flush.

Pending Eduard giving it a go in 1/48 scale or Tamiya applying their magic to it in 1/32 scale, I still remain enthused by this new Airfix kit and hope to end up with a couple of nice builds of my favourite British Second World War single engine monoplane fighter.

Cheers,

Daniel.