March 18, 2015 at 9:41 am
I am looking for any information relating to the service career of Canadian built Hurricane Z7064.
In 1940/41 my Uncle (who is still alive aged 93) was stationed at 13 MU R.A.F. Henlow doing major inspection and repair work. Sometime in late 1940 a number of large grey crates began appearing in the hangars, these it transpired contained Canadian built Hurricanes and a number of men including my Uncle were switched over to what became known as “Canadian Hurricane Erection”.
After a number of successful builds he was assigned to one particular rebuild which required more than normal attention, this was an aircraft whose crate had been dropped whilst being offloaded at Liverpool docks in a storm. The aircraft turned out to be Z7064 and it had sustained wing and fuselage damage. The wings had been sent off for repair and the fuselage meanwhile had sat in the hangar and became something of a Christmas tree with parts being robbed for other aircraft. My Uncle’s initial task was to identify the missing items and demand replacements and once all the parts were available several weeks later the aircraft was successfully completed, test flown and departed for service.
Out of all the aircraft he worked on over 37 years service this is one that stands out in his mind and he would dearly like to know what subsequently happened to it so if anyone out there can help I would be most grateful.
Many thanks,
David.
By: Graham Boak - 18th March 2015 at 11:13
The photo shows the aircraft carrying the cods of 607 Sq although I don’t have it in my lists for this squadron. I’ve a feeling this photo has been described as belonging to the Air Fighting Development Unit, which adopted 607’s codes when the squadron moved to India. It might be worth checked the use of Z7364, ‘664, or ‘864. The move was however later than the known history of Z7064 which is recorded as going to the FAA 28.8.41. In Sturtivant’s FAA Aircraft of WW2, it is further described as 801 Sq, tested 19.9.41, 804 Sq 9.41, Army support exercise struck telephone wires, crashed Annalong Co. Down. Cat.Z 1.4.42 S/L GP Mollison killed.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th March 2015 at 10:52
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Only web reference I can find is that Z7064 “… went to the admiralty”. Not sure if this is a photo.
DAI