Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Can anyone help please with regard sepcifications for 501 Squadron Hurricane I R4223 (Bill Green's), as we are looking at producing an aircraft profile. In particular we are trying to find out if it had the earlier fabric wing, or the later metal one? And was the prop cover an early one with a point, a rounded front or the later version which was larger and longer with a point.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Steve Darlow

Re: Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Rxxxx serials will have had the metal wing.

I asume you are talking about a 1940, probably BoB, machine?

From your description, the final propellor spinner is the bullet-shaped Rotol normally seen on the Mk.II, so that can be ruled out. The normal Hurricane Mk.I standard was the earlier hemispherical Rotol in 1940, but earlier ones did have the more conical DeHavilland. I can't confirm that Rotol production matched Hurricane production at this stage.

So unless you can find pictures of the machine, or adjacent examples, I'd go with the early Rotol. There is a picture of two 501 Sq Hurricanes, Pxxxx serialed, with the Rotol.

Re: Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Thanks Graham - that's really useful.
The Hurricane in question is the one flown by 501 Squadron's Bill Green, shot down on 29 August 1940.

Thanks again

Steve

Re: Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Steve

Give me a call.

A colleague, Mark Kirby, recovered bits of Bill Green's Hurricane. He may have found clues to tell you about the propellor assembly.

Re: Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Hi Steve

We can confirm that Bill's Hurricane was metal winged and had a Rotol Blade Assembly.

Kind regards

Dave

Re: Hurricane specifications R4223
 

Thanks Dave - much appreciated