The Guide Book to the Surviving Hawker Hurricanes in the United Kingdom

The Hawker Hurricane - the RAF's forgotten fighter star of the Battle of Britain.

The Guide Book to the World's Surviving Hawker Hurricanes -- in the United Kingdom

Wrecks and Relics: The Biennial Touring Guide to Preserved, Instructional and Derelict Aircraft in the UK and Eire
by Ken Ellis (Editor) - Publisher: Crecy Publishing
The definitive guide to preserved aircraft in the UK.
This guide is now organised geographically (with all due respect to Ken Ellis and his colleagues.)

I am always interested in confirmation of the current status of the aircraft listed or any others I am not aware of. If anyone out there has any comments on the Hurricanes still in existence and how they are displayed, please send me an e-mail and I will expand the listing.

Where are they now? Hurricanes may(or may not !!) be at the following locations in the United Kingdom.
Warning ---- Remember that some are not on show to the public, may be on loan or have moved on.

Bedfordshire
Shuttleworth Aerodrome (previously Old Warden Aerodrome), Old Warden, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
Sea Hurricane Ib - Z7015 - "7-L" - G-BKTH – (airworthy) at the Shuttleworth Collection ---- The aircraft was originally built in Canada by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company in 1940/1941 as a Mk I and delivered to England. In June 1941 it was converted into a Sea Hurricane Ib. On 16th September 1995 the restored plane had its second "first flight" returning to airworthy condition after more than 50 years on the ground.

Berkshire
Lamborne, Berkshire (at a private airstrip).
Hurricane IV – KZ191 – (for restoration) previously at the Fighter Wing Display Team, North Weald Aerodrome, Essex.

Cambridshire
Duxford Areodrome near Cambridge (M11 J10)
(Hurricane full size model BAPC267) – "P2954" - "WX-E" - at the Imperial War Museum Collection, Duxford. The plane was in 242 Sqn. colours "R4115" "LE-X". Previously at the Imperial War Museum, South Lambeth, London. (Was on display at the National Museum and Gallery, Cardiff from August 2001 and February 2002.)

Hurricane IIb - "Z2315" - "JU-E" at the Imperial War Museum Collection, Duxford.

Hurricane IV – KZ321 "JV-N" – is at Vintage Wings of Canada, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.

Previously G-HURY flying for The Fighter Collection.

In the markings of No.6 Squadron on war service in Italy.

Hurricane XIIb – "Z5140" - "HA-C" - G-HURI – (airworthy) Aircraft Restoration Company (ARCo), Duxford Aerodrome on behalf of the Historic Aircraft Collection Ltd.
Jan 2004 - Being re-skinned with a new colour scheme.
Previously "Z7381" "XR-T" in the colours of 71 Eagle Sqn.
The aircraft was built in 1942 in Canada by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company as part of their sixth production batch and in 1943 became Royal Canadian Air Force 5711. Retired from the RCAF in 1947, it was purchased by a group in Saskatchewan, Canada. It was later purchased by the Fighter Collection, restoration by Paul Mercer started in 1985 and flew again in 1989. Acquired in 2002 by the Historic Aircraft Collection.

Hurricane XII – (airworthy) actually RCAF 5589 G-HURR - lost 15 September 2007 --- see East Yorkshire - Real Aeroplane Museum, Breighton Aerodrome, near Selby, East Yorkshire.

Little Gransden Aerodrome (west of Cambridge)
Hurricane I – L1639 - Being restored by the Cambridge Bomber and Fighter Society.

A note for 2009 -- "We are opening our facility to visitors on Sunday 30 August 2009 between 10.00am and 5.00pm in conjunction with Children in Need at Little Gransden. There will also be military vehicles, classic cars and vintage aircraft flying throughout the day. There will be an information and museum section dedicated to 85 Squadron together with other audio visuals running throughout the day. Refreshments will be available. Please telephone Paul Rogers on 01223 767713 (day) or alternatively email to book your visit whether a group or an individual. Booking is necessary to enable proper co-ordination for this event. However, tickets will also be available on the day from the CBFS marquee."

Cheshire
Hooton Park, near Eastham Locks, Cheshire.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC68) - "P2725" - "TM-B" - at Hooton Park, Cheshire. The replica was originally built for the film "The Battle of Britain" where it was painted as code "J".

Essex
North Weald Aerodrome, near Harlow, Essex.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC???) - "V7313" - Gate gardian

East Tilbury, Essex
Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - L1599 - US-C at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 24th April 1939, L1599 crashed at Newlands Farm, Margaretting, Essex, whilst on an aerobatic practice flight. A September 1977 dig of the site provided the museum with a number of relics including a Watts two blade propeller boss and a control column spade grip.

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - P3518 - at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 3rd September 1940, P3518 crashed at Ingatestone, Essex, whilst in combat over Chelmsford. A 11th August 1974 dig of the site provided the museum with a number of relics including remains of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine, the gun firing button from the spade grip, engine mounts, the Rotol propeller boss and the makers plate.

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - P3966 - at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 26th August 1940, P3966 crashed into the marshes at Fobbing, Essex, after combat over the Thames Estuary. A January 1988 dig of the site provided the museum with a number of relics including the undercarriage legs, two .303 Browning machine guns, main spar instruments, fabric and wood.

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - P3234 - TP-E - at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 7th September 1940, P3234 crashed at Fritze Farm, Stock, Essex, after combat. A 1983 dig of the site provided the museum with a number of relics including a ballast weight made from lead, some wood from the cockpit area and part of the prop blade.

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - V6685 - at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 18th September 1940, V6685 crashed at Margaretting, Essex, after combat. In 1974 and 1987 digs of the site provided the museum with a number of relics including the Rolls Royce Merlin engine complete with the makers plate, undercarriage legs, main spare, rudder pedals, control column, instruments and fabric.

Hurricane X – (excavated remains) - AM280 at Thameside Aviation Museum, East Tilbury, Essex. On 26th November 1942, AM280 and Z5449 both of 3 sqdn., RAF Hunsdon did practice attacks on each other over Essex. During the manoeuvres the two aircraft collided, AM280 crashing at Wermigs Flower Farm, Great Easton and Z5449 crashing at nearby Nevills Farm, Mill End Green. The majority of AM280 was removed during the war and some years after but a 1999 dig of the site provided the museum with a number of relics.

Gloucestershire
Cam, Dursley, near Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Hurricane IIb – Z5207 - G-BYDL is being restored at Retro Track & Air (UK) Ltd., Cam, Gloucestershire. This Mk IIb was manufactured by Gloster Aircraft in early 1941 and taken to Russia aboard the Aircraft Carrier 'Argus', landing in Russia on 7th September 1941.

Gloucestershire Airport (Staverton Airport), Gloucestershire.
(Hurricane full size model – BAPC72) – “V6799” "SD-X" - Jet Age Museum, Gloucestershire Aviation Collection, Gloucestershire Airport, West Camp, Gloucestershire. Was previously “V7767” – ex battle of Britain film 501 sqn. Colours.

Hampshire
Thruxton Aerodrome, near Andover, Hampshire.
Hurricane XII RCAF5487 - G-CBOE Classic Aero Engineering.

Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight (Sandown) Aerodrome, Sandown, Isle of Wight.
Hurricane IIb – BH238 – This Soviet wreck arrived in June 2000 at Airframe Assemblies, Sandown, Ryde, Isle of Wight.

Kent
Capel Le Ferne, near Folkstone, Kent.
(Hurricane full size model – BAPC291) - "P2970" - "US-X"

Hawkinge, near Folkstone, Kent.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC272) "N2532" "GZ-H" – arrived at Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent in April 2000.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC273) "P2921" "GZ-L" – arrived at Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent in April 2000.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC64 ) "P3059" "SD-N" – Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent. Was used in the “Battle of Britain” film.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC63) "P3208" "SD-T" – Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent. Was used in the “Battle of Britain” film and also previously marked as "L1592".
(Hurricane full size model BAPC278) "P3679" "GZ-K" – arrived at Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent in April 2000.
(Hurricane full size model) "RF-U" in 303 Sqn. Colours – Kent Battle of Britain Museum, Hawkinge Airfield, Folkestone, Kent.

Ramsgate, Kent.
Hurricane IIc – "BN230" "FT-A" (originally LF751) – RAF Manston Hurricane & Spitfire Memorial Building, Ramsgate, Kent. LF751 was the basis of a composite including parts from Mk. II Z3687 and Mk.IIc PG593. See also "BN230" at RAF Bentley Priory.

Romney Marsh, Kent
Hurricane I – V7350 – cockpit only – at Brenzett Aeronautical Museum, Romney Marsh, Kent. The 85 Sqn. aircraft crashed on 29/8/1940.

Lincolnshire
Conningsby Airfield, near Horncastle, Lincolnshire.

Hurricane IIb – (LF363) - "P3878" "YB-W", (airworthy) – at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby, Lincoln.
6/6/2004 When using the markings LF363 “US-C” - at the D-Day 60^th. Anniversary air show at Duxford airfield the plane landed and was taxiing along the airfield when its right wheel collapsed.
Previously restored by Historic Flying Limited, Audley End Aerodrome (1994 -1998).
Previous civil registration G-BWHA.

Hurricane IIc – PZ865 (G-AMAU) - (airworthy) – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Coningsby, Lincoln.

Crowland, Lincolnshire.
Hurricane II - the restoration project is reported to have been reduced to spares.
Now included in a static fuselage project underway near Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

London (Greater London Area)
Bentley Priory, near Harrow.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC218 ) displayed as 43 Sqn. Colours "BN230" “FT-A” at RAF Bentley Priory, near Harrow, Greater London. (Was previously “P3386” “FT-I”.) See also another BN230 at RAF Manston.

Biggin Hill Airport.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC219) - "L1710" "AL-D" – RAF Memorial Chapel, Biggin Hill Airport, near London.

Hendon, North London.

RAF Museum, Hendon - Aug 2004

Hurricane – (full size model BAPC205) displayed as 174 Sqn. Colours "BE421" “XP-G” at Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, near London.

Hurricane I – P2617 "AF-F" at Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, near London. In 607 Sqn. colours. Was this previously "AF-A" ????

Photo - Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon - Aug 2004

Hurricane I – P3175 (wrecked) at Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, near London. The remains of a 257 Sqn. aircraft shot down 31 August 1940.

Photo - Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon - Aug 2004

South Kensington, London.

Hurricane I – L1592 "KW-Z" - in 615 Sqn. Colours at the Science Museum, South Kensington, London.

Photo - Science Museum, South Kensington, London - Aug 2004

South Lambeth, South London.

Imperial War Museum, London - Aug 2004

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - P2725 TM-B Was on temporary exibition at the Imperial War Museum, London . Christopher Bennett, an amateur aviation historian & archaeologist led the team that recovered the remains on the television show “Fighter Plane Dig – Live!”
On 15 September 1940 Flight Sergeant Ray Holmes of No. 504 Squadron used P2725 to destroy a Dornier Do17 bomber over London by ramming but at the loss of his own aircraft (and also almost his own life!) in one of the defining moments of the Battle of Britain.

Parts later melted down and formed into models of the aircraft.

Midlands (West Midlands)
Birmingham.
Hurricane IV – P3395 "JX-B" (actually KX829) – Thinktank, the Birmingham Museum of Science and Discovery, Millennium Point Discovery Centre, Birmingham (photo - April 2002). There are some reports of KX829 being at Manchester Museum of Science and Industry - this would appear to date from the plane's enforced holiday from Birmingham between the closure of the Newhall Street site and the opening of the Millennium Point site.This Mark IV has the "universal wing" intended for ground attack activities - being all metal with two .303 machine guns and under wing mountings for 40mm cannon/3inch rockets/bombs. This example came from the eighth batch (1,200 aircraft) of Hurricanes (Mk II & Mk.IV) made at the Langley factory over 1942/3. The engine was a 1,620hp Rolls Royce Merlin 27. The plane is currently in the colours of a Mk.I of No.1 squadron. "P3395" would have been from the third batch (500 aircraft) produced at Brooklands/Kingston/Langley from 21/2/1940 to 20/7/1940 and would probably have seen service in the Battle of Britain. There is a wasp emblem on the port side of the nose.
A plaque on the floor states that 300 Hurricanes were manufactured nearby at the Austin motor car factory at Longbridge - this is not one of them. As an insight into the changes within Europe since the dark days of 1940. The Longbridge car plant was owned in the 1990s by BMW – whose German plants were making aero-engines for the Luftwaffe when Hurricanes were being produced in Birmingham !

Coventry.
A Hurricane restoration project is thought to be underway in the area.

Norfolk
RAF Coltishall

Hurricane – (full size model BAPC223) "V7467" “LE-D” – in 242 Sqn. colours was at RAF Coltishall, Norfolk until it was disbanded on April 1st 2006. The airframe has been removed - but where to?

The Spirit of Coltishall web site has photos of the Hurricane being removed.

Nottinghamshire
Farnsfield, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

	Hurricane – (full size model BAPC288) "V7467" "LE-D" is at the Wonderland Pleasure Park, White Post lsland, Farnsfield, near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
Copyright Acknowledged - David Chadwick 2005

Oxfordshire
near Didcot, Oxfordshire
Hurricane I – R4118 UP-W (airworthy) - construction serial G592301 - registered G-HUPW
Returned by owners Peter & Polly Vacher to the UK for renovation to flying condition at Hawker Restorations Ltd from Benares Hindu University, India. First flight after restoration was on 23rd December 2004 at Teversham, Cambridge Airport.
A book detailing the recovery and restoration of R4118 should be available during 2005 - look out for "Hurricane R4118: The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration of a Great Battle of Britain Survivor". http://www.hurricanedisplay.co.uk/

Shropshire
Cosford Airfield.
Hurricane IIc – LF738 "UH-A" - Aerospace Museum , Cosford Airfield, Shropshire (photo - May 2002). Built in 1944 in the final batch of 1,357 aircraft. Using a Rolls-Royce Merlin XX engine and an all metal four 20mm. cannon wing. In 1954 it was the gate guardian at the Battle of Britain Chapel, Biggin Hill. Refurbished in 1969 at St Athan. Refurbished in 1974 at Bicester. Completely restored 1984-1990 by the Royal Aeronautical Society, Medway. Arrived at Cosford in 1995.

Suffolk
Sudbury, Suffolk
Hurricane I – P2902 G-ROBT - at Hawker Restorations Ltd.(of Milden, Suffolk) / AJD Engineering. To be restored as 2-Seater Hurricane?

Hurricane I – V7497 - G-HRLI - at Hawker Restorations Ltd.of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk. To be restored.

Hurricane I – P3717 - (being restored) – Aquired by Hawker Restorations Ltd of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk in 2001 to be restored as a two seater. Was originally a Brooklands built Mk.I but was converted to MkIIa (reference DR348) and sent to Russia. Recovered by Jim Pearce in the early 1990’s (Was being restored by the Hurricane and Aircrew Collection, Hinckley, Leicestershire.)

Hurricane IIb – ????? – (being restored) – Aquired by Hawker Restorations Ltd of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk from Cam, Gloucestershire. Was registered as G-BWHA. The aircraft returned from Russia in 1996. The restoration is to include parts from Z3176 and the wings from Z5053.
Has been refered to as "Z5252" - as of 2005 see entry for Z5252 in Russia.

Hurricane XII (Sea Hurricane ?) –G-TDTW - being restored by Hawker Restorations Ltd. of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk.

Hurricane XIIa – BW853 - G-BRKE - RCAF No.R30019 Sea Hurricane of 1941 - Hawker Restorations Ltd. of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk. (used to rebuild BW881 ?)

Hurricane XIIa (Sea Hurricane) – BW881 - G-KAMM -"5429" "Z" - First flight after rebuild was on the 15th March 2006 at Wattisham.
Recovered from a farm in Ontario, Canada – being restored to airworthy condition by Hawker Restorations Ltd.of Moat Farm, Church Road, Milden, Suffolk. Expected at the Flying Heritage Collection of Paul G. Allen (of Microsoft fame) on completion.

Surrey
Brooklands, near Weybridge, Surrey.
Hurricane IIa – Z2389 is being restored to non-flying condition at Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, having been built and test flown at Brooklands. The aircraft was delivered to the RAF in late 1940. After service with five different Squadrons it was crated and shipped to Russia in April 1942. While serving with the Red Air Force, the Hurricane was shot down over Siberia during a dogfight with two Messerschmitt Me 109Fs and five Me110s. It crash landed on rocky ground in a remote area. The virtually complete but damaged aircraft was taken from Siberia where it was recovered in Summer 1996 to St Petersburg and has now been purchased (for $130,000) for restoration and display.
Brooklands Museum is launching a BROOKLANDS HURRICANE FUND to help meet the cost of presentation, preservation and maintenance of the aircraft. Supporters of this appeal will, for an annual subscription, benefit from special events, a newsletter, exclusive merchandise and access to see the restoration work.

Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey.
BD731 for restoration.

South Sussex
Tangmere, near Chichester, South Sussex.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC241 ) "L1679" "JX-G" – in 1 Sqn. colours at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Chichester, West Sussex. (Was previously at Museum of Army Flying, Middle Wallop.)

Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - P3179 at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Chichester, West Sussex. P3179 was shot down on 30th August 1940 and crashed in a street in Hove, Sussex. A later excavation produced the remains of the plane.

Tyne & Wear
Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Hurricane – (excavated remains) V6995 North East Aircraft Museum, Old Washington Road, Sunderland. The aircraft crashed in Co. Durham in 1942. N.E.A.M, Old Washington Road
Sunderland
Tyne & Wear
SR5 3HZ

West Sussex
Chichester, West Sussex
Hurricane I – (excavated remains) - V7233 - LV-K - is reported at Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, Chichester, West Sussex.. V7233 of 87 Squadron was shot down off Portland Bill on the 11th August 1940. (See the excavated and poignant remains of Sergeant Dennis Noble's Hurricane?)
Are the remains still at Tangmere?

Hurricane L1679 was delivered to No 1 Squadron at RAF Tangmere in early 1939 and deployed with the unit to France on 9th September just 6 days after the outbreak of war. When Germany began its blitzkrieg through the Low Countries in 1940, the squadron became involved in daily combat whilst constantly withdrawing to the west as the enemy forces advanced. L1679 was in the thick of it - being flown by several pilots who later became household names, including Flying Officer Paul Richey whose book 'Fighter Pilot' became a classic of the genre. Sadly, L1679 did not survive. Badly damaged during a crash-landing at Mezieres on 10th May she was destroyed on the ground 4 days later. The museum's replica was built in the 1980s at Middle Wallop and, because it includes a Rover V8 engine that turns the propeller, has been used as a taxiable - though not flyable - film extra.

Wiltshire
Boscombe Down Airfield, near Amesbury.
Hurricane I – P3554 – The Air Defence Collection, Shrewton, Salisbury, Wiltshire. The 607 Sqn. aircraft was shot down on 5th. October 1940 and is being restored.

Worcestershire
Kidderminster, Worcestershire

A static fuselage project is underway near Kidderminster including a crash recovered Merlin XX engine.
Includes parts from the Hurricane II restoration project of Crowland, Lincolnshire that has been reported to have been reduced to spares.

Yorkshire (East Yorkshire)
Breighton Aerodrome, near Selby.
--- lost 15 September 2007 ---
Hurricane XII – (airworthy) actually RCAF 5589 was displayed in nightfighter colours of 87 Sqn. as "LK-A" by owner Rob Fleming at the Real Aeroplane Museum, Breighton Aerodrome, near Selby, East Yorkshire. (Was previously at Autokraft Ltd, Brooklands displayed as "BE417"- "AE-K" of 402 Squadron – ( G-HURR?)
17th October 2004 - "LK-A" stared in the ITV television police drama series HEARTBEAT.

Yorkshire (North Yorkshire)
Elvington, near York.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC265 or BAPC-254?) - “P3873” “YO-H” is at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Halifax Way, Elvington, York. The Hurricane replica (unveiled 20 August 2000) was made gate guardian on 8 October 2000. The replica is painted as Royal Canadian Air Force Hurricane Mk. 1 P3873 which was flown by the Museum's Canada branch patron, Hartland de M Molson.

Malton.
(Hurricane full size model BAPC236) “P2793” "SD-M" – Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum, Old Malton, North Yorkshire. The full-size replica arrived in August 1998 to replace the earlier replica which “took flight” during storms of Christmas Eve 1997. The replica was built by TDL Replicas of Lowestoft. The earlier Hurricane (quarter scale? “HU-S”) of July 1993, was a tribute to Battle of Britain pilots and Yorkshireman James Harry 'Ginger' Lacey, Fighter Command's top scoring Battle of Britain pilot.

V2.3 - 30 July 2009.