Ross, thanks for the offer – we’ve been working from microfilms of the RAFM WW2 F1180s for the project, and a few of these 3-digit numbers were recorded on there. I’ve just managed to solve the mystery though (after a few hours of head-scratching and coffee-drinking) – these 3-digit numbers are the RCAF serials for Hurricanes that were shipped to Canada in 1939 and returned to the RAF when 1(F) sqn RCAF re-equipped over here in 1940 prior to becoming 401sqn.

I managed to solve the mystery thanks to a post by Bill Walker whilst I was looking to see if I could get a match on a Hurricane that S/Ldr Niedzwiecki was killed in on 18/Aug/40.

Here’s the link to Bill’s site: http://www.rwrwalker.ca/RCAF_301_350_detailed.htm

Regards

G.