Hawker Hart family survivors

Moving forward 11 years how does the list of survivors look now, the Kabul wrecks were recovered, how many of them are being rebuilt to make complete aircraft?………….Martin

HART G-ABMR

Here are two shots of the RAF Museum’s Hawker Hart, G-ABMR, firstly when it was incorrectly painted as ‘J9933’ at Blackbushe in 1963, then during what was possibly it’s last public flying appearance as J9941 at Little Rissington in September 1971.

Hi,

Veltro

Thanks for the comprehensive list of survivors/parts, much appreciated. I believe the Canadian Hind is able to undertake engine runs, although I don’t know if it is intended to fly.

Mpacha

Any more photos of the Demon K8203?

Persian Audax, source unknown but probably taken in Perisa.

G-BTVE

Thanks for catching that one, Mike.

I must have confused G-BTVE, which is registered to one Demon Displays Ltd according to the CAA, with the anonymous fuselage listed on the Skysport website (www.skysportengineering.co.uk/for_sale.htm) or with the Beaufighter project which was reported for sale some time ago.

Still wonder what is holding up the Demon, other than that green folding stuff, you know …

Veltro

G-BTVE

This is G-BTVE, the Skysport Demon. I had no idea it was so advanced. Makes me wonder why some museum or collector hasn’t snapped it up yet.

Veltro

One seen at Cranfield a few years back!

The Swedish Hart at Linköping is a B 4A produced under licence in Sweden, more details here:
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2001/07/stuff_eng_detail_hart.htm

Alex, PM on way.

Hart Survivors

For some reason, I felt a compulsion to draw up an accurate list. Here is my attempt, in alphabetical order, with identities where known. Sources are mainly various museum websites, CAA register, Bob Ogden museums series.

Audax
K5600/G-BVVI (c/n 41H-67550), Aero Vintage (to fly)

Demon
A1-8, RAAF Museum Australia
K8203/G-BTVE, Skysport Engineering (to fly)
Jack McDonald, Caboolture (to fly) **** identity? ****

Fury
K5674/G-CBZP, Aero Vintage (to fly 2004?)
G-BKBB/OO-HFU, UK (Viv Bellamy replica)

Hart II
G-ABMR/“J9941” (c/n HH1), RAF Museum Hendon

Hart II Trainer
K4972, RAF Museum Hendon

Hart B4 Fv714 (c/n 54), Swedish Air Force Museum

Hartbees
851, South African National Museum of Military History

Hind
(Afghan), BAPC.78/G-AENP/“K5414” (c/n 41H.81902), Shuttleworth (flying)
(Afghan), BAPC.82, RAF Museum (c/n 41H.81899) Cosford
(Afghan), L7180 (c/n 41H.82970?), Canada Aviation Museum
(Afghan), L7181 (c/n 41H.82971), Aero Vintage (to fly)
K6717/NZ1518, MoTaT, Auckland, NZ (“remains” with Subritzky for restoration)
K6721/NZ1535, Don Subritzky*, Albany, NZ
K5465/NZ1554, Don Subritzky*, Albany, NZ (to fly)
* also said to hold “components” of L7184/NZ1528, K6703/NZ1544.
Kabul Military Training Area (6+ wrecks)

Nimrod I S1581/ G-BWWK (c/n 41H.43617), The Fighter Collection, Duxford
Nimrod II K3661/G-BURZ (c/n 41H.59890), Aero Vintage (to fly 2004?)

Osprey Fv403, SE-AYR (c/n 2403), Swedish Air Force Museum (remains)

Any further comments welcome.

Veltro

Hi,

Very interesting about the additional Aussie Demons and Kiwi Hinds. I’ll look into this in more detail.

As for the ‘Demon’ style gun position on the Hind. The Demon was introduced into service in 1931 and the Hind in 1935. The same style of gunners position was used on the Hind.

Scrooge; Where would I get a copy of the Pacific Wings article?

Attached is a Persian Hind, source unknown.

Alex

John P,

The RNZAF flew 63 Hinds from 1940-43 supplied for the EATS or BCATP scheme. They had two types, some were trainers with dual flying controls and these opoerated at Ohakea with s Service Flying Training School. The others were the gun-monuted variety seen in Phil’s photo posted by Mark12. These operated in the Army Co-operation role with No.s 6, 20 , 21, and 22 Sqns, though not all at once.

I believe Don Subritzy has several airframes, I heard six were recovered from crashes/dump sites by his team. Classic Wings says at least two are being rebuilt to fly. I am looking forward to this, I love the Hind.

If that is a ‘Demon’ style gun position, does this mean its non-standard? Would it have been done by Hawker during manufacturer? Or would it have been done later while in service by the RAF or RNZAF?

Hi

There are quite a few remaining airframe components in NZ and Aus not mentioned here. Jack McDonald has a project that was fairly advanced to getting a Demon flying here in Brisbane area but is currently”resting” at Caboolture till someone finishes it off and there are other parts scattered about various collections here – nearly all Demons as this was the only variant operated here.

In Kiwi land there are many caches of parts including an Audex that I have seen in my travels which I can’t understand as I don’t believe they ever had any.

A comprehensive audit worldwide would be a good project for someone.

Regards
John P

ref mark12’s post- the Hind pictured is pretty much in the same condition, but… this one’s a bit further along. And yes that is another airframe in the background and a set of wings. There will be an article in Pacific Wings next issue.

scrooge

My grandfather flew the Hart that is now in the RAF Museum. I have got an original photo taken of the aircraft in 1933. Sorry if you notice its a repeat of the photo but it was posted on a thread a few months ago.

Thanks for an interesting thread Alex

Regards
Snaps

I think all the survivors have been covered by the above posts. I feel very priviledged in being able to say I have seen the RAF Museum’s Hart ‘J9941’ fly on several occasions, before it was permanently grounded, the last time being at Little Rissington in September 1971.

Don Subritzky – Auckland NZ.

Try this site for Don’s Demon.

Mark

http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/pages/subhind7.html

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, keep them coming.

I know that parts of two Irish Hector airframes were recovered in the 80’s. Maybe these are the parts Aero Vintage have. I’ll see if I can find out more about the other Aussie Demon. I have a good contact in Oz.

I’m doing some research for a possible book on the Hawker Hart family, so stay tuned as they say.

Alex

Hawker biplanes, one of my favourites!
I think the Fury Replica, returned to its owners in Belgium. Never got to see that fly although it was living at Old Warden but static in one of their hangers for some months.
Skysport still have the Demon under rebuild, K8203 for a private owner.
Believe there is a further Demon in Australia, as well as the RAAF Museum example.
I read that Aero Vintage have parts of a Hector but do not know how much this amounts to.

I think some Fury/Hind airframes have been found on the dump at Kabul Airport (saw something in a mag recently)

Seems they are in a minefield with some Sov era iron

-Nick

Picture this time