Seeking 56 Sdn Hurricane AFTER B-O-B

[jimmaas]

While I've found a number of descriptions of 56 Sdn Hurricanes in the post Battle of Britain period (such as camouflage experiments) I'm looking for pointers to any photos of a normal scheme (or otherwise) aircraft. From research I've done, 56 Sdn seems to have gone from the well-known B-O-B schemes directly to the Typhoon, and I know that isn't right.

[keith in the uk]

Errrr well according to John Rawlings book fighter sqns of the RAF 56sqn used the Hurricane MK1 from April 1938 - Feb 1941.

Then the Hurricane IIB from Feb 41 - March 1942. Typhoon 1As arrived in September 41. Hope this helps.

[jimmaas]

Thanks, Keith - the problem I'm having, though, is although certainly 56 Sdn had Hurricane Mk. I's and Mk. II's through all of 1941 and into 1942, I don't know of any photos which document a scheme carried during this period. It's like the whole squadron went seriously camera-shy until the Typhoons arrived. I'm working on a series of 56 Sdn aircraft from 1938 to 1945, which illustrates each of the RAF's camouflage and marking changes (well, for home based single seat fighters, that is). That 1941 period saw the replacement of Dark Earth with Ocean Grey (okay, maybe Mixed Grey), but before the 1942 national markings changes came into play.

Any pointers to photos from the 1941 period would be warmly appreciated.

[maltadefender]

I think the order to change from Dark Earth/Dark Green/Sky went out in mid-August 1941... but stand to be corrected!

Typical 1941 scheme therefore as per 1940 but with the Sky fuselage band towards the tail. Not sure about spinners.

I'm doing 'Jumbo' Gracie's BoB Hurricane for the BoB GB... trying to work that spinner out as I write! White or Sky. The decals have Sky Blue leader's stripes across the tail, but I think they should be Sky to match the undersides. Although I've seen the aircraft profiled with grey and with Sky undersides... so it's pin the tail on the donkey time!

[Edgar]

This might give you a clue (but not much help regarding the actual colours, I fear.) This, definitely, is 56 Squadron, and, if they were involved in a potentially new scheme, it could explain the lack of photos (though Farnborough, or similar departments, might have had some.) At the same time Duxford were playing with new schemes for the Spitfire (only using two airframes, though.)

Edgar

[jimmaas]

This might give you a clue (but not much help regarding the actual colours, I fear.) This, definitely, is 56 Squadron, and, if they were involved in a potentially new scheme, it could explain the lack of photos (though Farnborough, or similar departments, might have had some.) At the same time Duxford were playing with new schemes for the Spitfire (only using two airframes, though.)

Edgar

That is a great bit of info - very tantalizing! Rawlings 'Fighter Squadrons' gives Mk. II code/serial tie-ups for that period; a 'reconstruction' is tempting. Still hoping there are photos somewhere, though.

[keith in the uk]

Perhaps this will help ( From the Rawligs book )

Hurricane IIB ( Feb 1941 - March 1942 )

eg

Z2353 US-L Z2567 US-R

Z2992 US-K Z3022 US-C

Z3324 US-F Z 3442 US-M

Z3654 US-P Z 5059 US-N

Z2767 US-W Z 3227 US-V

Have to agreee finding a pic of these Hurricanes is not easy.

[IanC]

While I've found a number of descriptions of 56 Sdn Hurricanes in the post Battle of Britain period (such as camouflage experiments) I'm looking for pointers to any photos of a normal scheme (or otherwise) aircraft. From research I've done, 56 Sdn seems to have gone from the well-known B-O-B schemes directly to the Typhoon, and I know that isn't right.

The Imperial War Museum Photograph Archive in London has a few shots of Hurricanes and pilots at Duxford in Jan 1942. The negative numbers which include aircraft are:

CH 4543 - a line-up of four aircraft in grey/green camo and small fuselage codes just visible. One appears to just have a non-standard fuselage roundel, with the yellow painted out.

CH 4544 - shows pilots doing the obligatory 'scramble' for the photographer in front of three aircraft

CH 4546 - an 'erk' chalking a huge and ornate 'Punjab' onto the engine cowling of one aircraft, for the benefit of the photographer, with pilots posing with map in front.

CH 4547 - wider shot of the same aircraft, again with pilots posing in front, showing the completed 'Punjab' chalked on the nose.

Email [email protected] for ordering details. You may be able to get photocopies sent to you..

Ian

[jimmaas]

Ian, many thanks! My inquiry is on its way to the IWM.