Hurricane in Moscow

If anyone is interested……

I’m just back from my annual jaunt to Moscow – for the MAKS airshow and museums etc.

There is a new exhibit at the Zadorozhny Technical Museum – a WWII Hawker Hurricane.

It has been restored to display condition by the museum – although it is a bit difficult to photograph….

The plaque in front of it translates to……. (thanks to my friend Guennadi for the translation)…..

Hawker Hurricane MkII (1940)
Hurricane II was introduced into the inventory of the RAF in September 1940. The fighter had the improved Merlin XX engine, increased rear-view mirror and modified oil cooler. Hurricane was used not only as fighter but also as the fighter-bomber, ground attack aircraft, short-range reconnaissance plane and rescue aircraft.
Hurricane II airplanes were delivered to the USSR under the Lend-Lease agreement. In Soviet Air Force, the fighters received native 20-mm ShVAK cannons and 12,7-mm UBS machine guns.
This particular aircraft was found in the area of so-called ‘Neva Patch’ in 2008. The fighter was piloted by Aleksandr Fedorovich Myasnikov (born on 09.09.1909), who fought at the Leningrad Front and was killed in the air combat on 11 September 1942. A.F. Myasnikov was born in Mashinsky area of Novgorod region, during his Air Force service had 315 combat missions and shot down 18 enemy planes. He was awarded with the Order of Lenin and two Orders of Red Banner.

Ken