VVS 2 seater Hurricane
 

I understand the VVS modified some LL Hurricanes as 2 seaters for artillery observation use. Does anyone have any info on how many were converted, what units used them, how much front line use, and any losses?
The RKKA used massive amounts of artillery in WW II/GPW it would be reasonable to expect that they had aircraft assigned to spot for them.

Re: VVS 2 seater Hurricane
 

Hello,

According to Russian researchers(Sergey Sergeyev) and sources (https://airpages.ru/uk/hurr2_3.shtml) less than two dozen Hurricanes were converted to 2-seaters.

Best regards/Håkan

Re: VVS 2 seater Hurricane
 

This matter was dealt with in the book Red Stars Vol.4 (Lend-Lease Aircraft in Russia) authored by Gennadij Petrov and myself (published by Apali, Finland already in 2002).

The relevant text extract on page 189:

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Because of the relatively big number of Hurricanes in VVS SF special two-seater training Hurricanes were considered necessary, and 10 aircraft were modified with a second cockpit and double command. In order to save weight eight of the twelve machine-guns, the armoured seat back of the pilot etc. were dismounted. A number of two-seaters were also used without double command for courier purposes, and one two-seater was further modified as "ambulance" aircraft and used by 10 AE VVS SF.

Several two-seaters were also used at the Glider Aviation school of Red Army Paratroop Forces (VAPSh VDV KA) in Saratov for towing Antonov A-7 and G-11 transport gliders, and a number of operational sorties were also performed.
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A photo and color profile of a two-seater artillery spotter Hurricane is also included in our book,

Carl

Re: VVS 2 seater Hurricane
 

This matter was dealt with in the book "Hurricane in Foreign Service (Hurricane w obcej służbie) authored by me - Mirosław Wawrzyński, AjaKS Warszawa 2001, there are 2 photos of these versions and a 2 colours.

Regards
M. Wawrzyński