[markjsheppard]

Geoff,

I remember reading about Z5227 (81Sqn/151 Wing in Russia) was trying to take off during a bombing raid on 6th Oct 1941. A blast near by stopped the engine, pilot got out and was blown off the wing by another blast. When raid was over, there was no damage to the Hurricane itself.

It would not be implausible that P2701 was damaged in a bombing raid and interestingly the pilot is listed so he was with his aircraft. Whether landing/taking off or just on the ground I have yet to establish.

Alex,

Interestingly on the 11th May F/O D H Allen returned damaged in his Hurricane near Nivelles. Allen unhurt but aircraft repairable. Interestingly no serial listed. The other three Hurricanes damaged were N2388, L1979 and P2821. Could this have been P2701 even if first listed with the Sqn on the 13th May. Would not be the first time tissue dates were wrong. P3351 was listed as belonging to 73Sqn from 18th June. It actually joined on the 3rd June.

regards

Mark