MGB: Hurricane picture

This picture is of RAF #1 Squadron taken circa 1940. The plane is a Hawker Hurricane (call letters JX-b) piloted by my second cousin, Arthur Clowes (gent in white flight suit). This is part of why I get PO's when people praise up the Spitfire and forget about the Hurricane.

Arthur started as a Pilot Office and had made Squadron Leader prior to Battle of Britain. Not bad even for war time.

Here is a painting that somebody did of his actual Hurricane

A great piece of history! And don't worry - a lot of people know exactly what role the Hurricane played!

Hurricane, Spitfire - it makes no real difference, Simon. Those men were all heroes, each and every one. I have always thought that the RAF saved the world during the Battle of Britain. Of course, Hurricanes being more numerous formed the backbone of it all. You should be very proud of your cousin, Simon. AL Bradley

[quote="AL Bradley"]
You should be very proud of your cousin, Simon.
[/quote]

Definitely!

P/O Arthur Victor Clowes DFM, DFC, DSO. was well respected and well known in the UK!

BTW ) I believe his aircraft is still flyable and preserved in an authentic WW II Blast Pen at an RAF Base

[quote=Simon]
BTW ) I believe his aircraft is still flyable and preserved in an authentic WW II Blast Pen at an RAF Base[/quote]

No, his has gone, but Hurricane Mk IV KX829 is painted his colours and on display at the Millennium Discovery Centre, Birmingham: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_surviving_Hawker_Hurricanes

You can also buy an Airfix model of his Hurricane in 1:72 scale: http://airfixtributeforum.trillian.myfastforum.org/Hawker_Hurricane_Group_Build_Gallery_about2834.html

Another list of survivors, with photos: http://n44vf.com/Downloads/Carl_Pascarell/The%20Guide%20Book%20to%20the%20Worlds%20Surviving%20Hawker%20Hurricanes.htm

[quote=Simon]
BTW ) I believe his aircraft is still flyable and preserved in an authentic WW II Blast Pen at an RAF Base[/quote]


There's another JX-G at Tangmere, but again, it's a different aeroplane, that one is L1679. You're cousin's was P3395.

Yeah - I'm a geek! My father did 25 years in the RAF, my great uncle was Guy Gibson's crew chief, I've studied a lot.

Thats a shame.Dad has a photo from a magazine that showed his at, I think, Wittering or something like that.

I also came across a set of 1/48 scale decals for it as well.

I'd love to build a rc scale model one of these days.

Might have your second cousin had a call name of nickname of "Darky" and credited with 11 kills?

Yes and No John. Yes he was known as Darkie, but he had 13 kills before leaving France (per War dept) and added a few more over Britain.

Dad has requested 9as closest living relative) his complete official War dept records, and I cannot wait to see them

The Spit may have been more agile than the Hurricane, but the Hurricane had a tremendously strong structure, and could withstand much more than the Spit.

[quote=Montrose]
The Spit may have been more agile than the Hurricane, but the Hurricane had a tremendously strong structure, and could withstand much more than the Spit.[/quote]

It did possess a very strong structure. It needed to as it had a rag (doped fabric) fuselage and thus required an underlying structure. The Spit was monocoque.

Simon,

No one will forget about the Hurri. It had its place in the big scheme and did well.
Don't be angry about such a little thing in life.
My dad's airplane was the Lanc. No one talks much about it. They praise the B17 which couldn't carry half the load of the Lanc. The Lanc was also a much longer range airplane, even with a 22,000lb Grand Slam.

Bob