73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

I have 2 photos which show a crash-landed 73 Sqn Hurricane on the beach in either Belgium/France. Date would be late 39-mid-40 so, sorry for the vagueness, can anyone identify the loss?

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Good morning Chris,

On the request of French Army, on the 29th of september 1939, soon after the arrival ( 15h30 ) of No 1 Squadron at Norrent-Fontes, P/O
Bill Kain No 73 Squadron was ordered to fly over french AA batteries to familiarize their servants to the Hurricane' s silhouette.
They shot at him !....
His propeller destroyed Kain force-landed his aircraft ( L1588 ) on the
beach at Calais. But because of the soft sand, his machine ended on it's
noise. P/O Kain was safe. In the afternoon the Hurricane was covered by
the tide. The day after, W/O Neale came to burn it.

Source: No 73 Squadron ORB.

Best regards.

Bernard.

PS/ I 'd so much like to see these photos !!!

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Bernard: Looks promising. It is definitely on the beach and the sand looks soft. The aircraft is on its belly and the fabric to the rear of the fuselage is missing. Send me a PM with your email address and I will send you a scan

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Chris,

I confirm that Kain' s Hurricane was the only No 73 Squadron' s one to force-land on a beach during this period.

Bernard.

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Chris

... and the control handle stick is now on P3351 in New Zealand. It was donated by Bill Kain in the mid 1990's.

regards

Mark

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Hello Chris.

Can you describe the photo, the code? TP. ?, (maybe the K or H ?) the roundels of the fuselage (2colors ?) with or without the serial? ...

I try my best to make connection between the serials and the code letters of all Hurricane of 73 Sqn. which came in France at the beginning of September.

By advance thank you.

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Many: The fuselage behind the cockpit is missing so no. The only other photos I have from 73 Sqn are:

L1578/HV-A
L1568/S
L1876/F
P2575/J
P2569/D

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Thank you very much Chris.

I have almost already these photos. My research about the Hurricane of 73 Sqn. stopped at the first received by the unit, And, among them, those who were in France.

Thank you again

Re: 73 Sqn Crash-landing 39-40
 

Chris
Can you pls check L1876 again?
Halley quote this as going to SAAF without any RAF connection......

Cheers
Stig