New book new Hurricane to fly ?

Dear Alex,

Many thanks for the clarification.

Regards,

Owen

N2702

Hi,

N2702 was also a 245 Squadron aircraft and folowing combat with Me109’s was force landed near Dieppe by Sgt. R.W.E.Jarrett on the 17th of May 1940.
Pilot returned safe.

Details from 12 days in May.

Alex

Hurricane p2902

Hello
Thank you both for the replies.
This is plane about to fly ?
I know your sell lots of books this weekend and I had a word with the weather gods and it will be sunny at Duxford all weekend .
Good luck all.

P.s
As you both most already know the book Fighter command losses of WW2 by Norman Franks as the plane serial number as N2702 well my copy from 1997 .The book Blitzed by Victor Bingham as the serial number P2658.

Hi,

I’m actually the author of the book, ‘Down to Earth’, which is referred to on the Grub Street website and that you’ve mentioned in your post.

As you’ve outlined, the Hurricane Mk.I in question is P2902, or R-DX. Its pilot, Kenneth McGlashan was shot down in this aircraft over Dunkirk in 1940. He subsequently went on to fly operationally as a fighter pilot right through to, and including, D-Day. He remained in the RAF until the late 50s, retiring as a Squadron Leader. Apart from his active service, he was seconded to BOAC, served in Cyprus and witnessed the dawn of the jet age. He was also awarded the Air Force Cross.

He migrated to Australia and it was my absolute privilege to come to know ‘Mac’. He was a truly remarkable chap and his loss left us all a little poorer. His Hurricane, however, is still very much with us. The aircraft is definitely well on its way to being restored to flying status, though as anyone who has experience with such an extensive restoration knows, it is always difficult to put a date on completion.

Kenneth’s wife and family members have made the long journey from Australia to be at Duxford this weekend for the launch of his story. Let’s hope the weather is kind to them.

All the best,

Owen

…also Duxford bound from the land down under.

R for Robert

R for Robert Hurricane P2902. R-DX
Built as one of the first production batch of 500 aircraft built by the Gloster Aircraft Co.Ltd, Brockworth during 1939/40 under contract no 962371/38/c.23a. Fitted with Merlin 111 and Rotol three blade propeller. First flight in Oct 1939 and by May 1940 was operational with 245 Sqd. at Drem. and coded
R-DX.
Relocated to Hawkinge 28th May 1940 and flown by P.O. McGlashan over Dunkirk on his first operational sortie on the 29th.
On 31st Of May, having returned to Kenley the previous day, the entire squadron of twelve aircraft were scrambled at midday to engage German bomber activity over Dunkirk. During a fierce engagement with Me 109’s, McGlashan was hit in the thigh and the aircraft severely damaged. After a vertical dive from 25,000 ft, McGlashan force landed,wheels up, on the beach near the Belgian border. He returned to England after an eventfull journey aboard a paddle steamer.

Further details available on request.
Peter