[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-02-03 AT 11:36 PM (GMT)]Hi, I have an urgent need to verify the serial number / unit history of a Hawker Hurricane. The code is V7166, and I have it in the logbook of LWF ‘Pinkie’ Stark of 609 (West Riding) Squadron. Now, 609 had a Hurricane, as a hack (though it was kept armed). I, and a friend, have been trying to trace a serial No. for the best part of 6 months now. This is the closest I have come – does anybody on here have listings of this aitframe please? He first records flying it on 8th October 1943.
A google search came up with:
Hawker Hurricane V7166 – 22/05/1942
Pilot Officer D. W. J. Reynolds of the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit was taking off in Hawker Hurricane No V7166 when the aircraft stalled from a height of 30 feet and crashed back down onto the runway damaging the propeller, engine, undercarriage and main planes.
Pilot Officer Reynolds was uninjured in the accident and the aircraft was subsequently repaired and returned to the Merchant Ship Fighter Unit.
Thanks in advance,
By: Snapper - 3rd February 2003 at 21:22
RE: Looking for history of Hawker Hurricane V7166
That’s excellent Snoopy, thanks. Anything related to this ‘hack’ (as it was, they went from Spit I, II, and V’s to Typhoons) is all extra meat for the stew, as it were.
By: Snoopy - 3rd February 2003 at 20:04
RE: Looking for history of Hawker Hurricane V7166
Snapper:
I have a copy of Francis Mason’s “The Hawker Hurricane”, which has a few lines of history on many, but not all, the Hurricanes ever built. There is no individual entry for V7166; but the following is what it says about the batch which that example would have come from:
“Hawker Hurricane Mark I (Gloster built). Third (main) production batch of 1,700 aircraft built by Gloster Aircraft Co Ltd, Brockworth, Glos., during 1940-41 under Contract No 85730/40/C.23a. All aircraft with metal wings, Merlin III engines, and DH variable-pitch or Rotol constant-speed propellers. Production divided into four production runs: Part I: 500 aircraft. Delivered between July and November 1940. … [including] V7156-V7195.”
One thought I would have is that if the aircraft was built as early as 1940, it would have been unlikely to be in front-line use by 1943 — examples of that age would, by that time, be in use, as you say, as hacks or trainers or on other second-line tasks.
Hope this is interesting, even if not quite what you were looking for. Regards,
Snoopy
By: Snapper - 3rd February 2003 at 19:24
RE: Looking for history of Hawker Hurricane V7166
Air-Britain T1000-V9999 states that Hurricane I V7166 served with 260 Squadron, MSFU, and then 609 Squadron. To 5034M on 17th february 1945.
Air Britain lists this as
No.260 Sqn, MSFU, No.609 Sqn. Became 5034M on 17/02/45. The Form 78 will give you the date transferred from MSFU to No.609 Sqn.
(from ace’s high and RAF commands website answers)
Charles Demoulin mentions it being the first a/c used when arriving on the sqn, for sector recco’s. Pinkie’s log ties with this, and the codes PR/- are also listed earlier in his log. Joe Atkinson took it up whilst acting station commander at Duxford one time too, during a raid. It was apparently kept fuelled and armed.
(From me!)
By: geedee - 3rd February 2003 at 18:18
RE: Looking for history of Hawker Hurricane V7166
Any idea what mark of Hurri she was ?
cheers
Gary
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February 2, 2003 at 11:35 pm