Troy Smith Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 While perusing the IWM Site for image for the P3886 thread, I looked through all the images credited to "Devon S A (Mr) Royal Air Force official photographer" which turned up some classic images, but using a bit of logic, that images related by squadron and/place are most likely taken at the same time, but are not usually displayed together. case in point, ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.. © IWM (C 1682) IWM Non Commercial License better seen, though the enlarge facilty on the IWM site is helpful, as you can se the serial is P254? (either 3, 5 or 9) Aircraft letter is L (under nose), 501 Sq is SD, so the starboard side read L-SD (the D is just visible) Another shot show the port would read SD-L Pole aerial, De Havilland Hurricane prop Ealrly Gloster built, showing typically poor paint adhesion, not bear metal near tip light and stripped behind gun ports. Underwing streaking behind shell ejector is also of note, as well as dirty (oil?) side to radiator bath. (check the link as the enlarge really bring this out) I'll edit in a few more with comments later ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.. © IWM (C 1684) IWM Non Commercial License very well known image, not the same plane as above as different antenna mast and a Rotol prop. One detail I only caught from the enlarge, just visible on the "S" is a hand, flat against the hand hold, and the other hand is about to push up the footstep (you need to check the enlarge for this) Note the two tone camouflage on the Albion refueller, GMF685, visible on the bonnet, assume Khaki Green G3 and Dark Green G4? Also gas detector patch. The enlarge shows some data painted, size of vehicle, above the spare wheel. Note extended rear wheel hub, for use as power take off ? I think I saw a brief clip of film of a 501 Sq plane which looked very like this. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 A pair ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.. © IWM (C 1551) IWM Non Commercial License ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.. © IWM (C 1546) IWM Non Commercial License Quote A Hawker Hurricane Mark I flown by Flight Lieutenant J E "Ian" Scoular, commander of 'B' Flight, No. 73 Squadron RAF, being refuelled and re-armed between sorties at Reims-Champagne. note lack of code letters, so this is a very new replacement plane... one real cracking anorak detail, look at the radiator flap.... yep, half white/half black.... never seen that before! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lican Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 I wrote you a message in flickr answer it. I'll send you a photo of 501 Squadron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 I've never seen that on the inside of the rad flap either. Someone really took their instructions too seriously that day! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudioN Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 13 hours ago, Troy Smith said: While perusing the IWM Site for image for the P3886 thread, I looked through all the images credited to "Devon S A (Mr) Royal Air Force official photographer" which turned up some classic images, but using a bit of logic, that images related by squadron and/place are most likely taken at the same time, but are not usually displayed together. case in point, ROYAL AIR FORCE: FRANCE, 1939-1940.. © IWM (C 1682) IWM Non Commercial License better seen, though the enlarge facilty on the IWM site is helpful, as you can se the serial is P254? (either 3, 5 or 9) Pole aerial, De Havilland Hurricane prop Ealrly Gloster built, showing typically poor paint adhesion, not bear metal near tip light and stripped behind gun ports. Thank you Troy, quoting myself from this thread: "Concerning early Hurricanes, Robertson wrote that Hurricanes in the Gloster production run, up to P2681, had 2-blade Watts propeller, then from P2682 3-blade Rotols. Considering black-out serial blocks we are talking of exactly 100 aircraft: P2535-P2584, P2614-P2653, P2672-P2681. He also also noted that "first 100 had TR9D, rest TR1133". In the end, this would mean 100 aircraft with 2-blade Watts propeller and TR9D HF radio. This change from the early pre-war fit to the latest configuration with constant-speed propeller and VHF radio seems incredible." Whatever the serial (I'd go for P2545), this Hurricane is among the first 100 aircraft in the first Gloster production run, and it does have the pole aerial for the early TR9D radio. I expect the Watts propeller would have been replaced by the DH variable pitch before issue to a squadron so, seemingly, we have one hint in favour of Bruce Robertson. Four-slot wheels and metal wings (checked using the IWM enlarge facility). So, perhaps I should stop elaborating on what more knowledgeable people have written, and just keep checking facts. Claudio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonywalton Posted February 27, 2019 Share Posted February 27, 2019 Hi Just a bit of information requarding the first photo of a 501 sqn aircraft. Many moons ago I saw a video (shows how long ago it was) anyway I replayed it and it showed this particular aircraft taxing past the camera so I noted down the details. It had a mixture of markings. it has the L under the nose but the fuselarge codes read SD_A. The serial was definitely P2545 , it has a 35" fuselarge A1 , the SD code was 24"and square style and the A aft of the roundel was 30". the fin flash had 7" stripes. The rest of the details are as mentioned in the other comments. I hope this may be of interest 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 When was the 4-spoke hub introduced ? I never cared much but would have "felt" it came much later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 4 hours ago, tempestfan said: When was the 4-spoke hub introduced ? I never cared much but would have "felt" it came much later. From photos, from the P**** serials, so early 1940, the only 5 spoke I have seen are on the L**** and N**** serials (first two batches) after that it's all 4 spoke. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tempestfan Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Thanks Troy - a clear case of better looking at Things... Possibly I was influenced by the Spit, which I think continued with the 5-spoke into the Mk II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now