[Mirek Wawrzynski]

Hi
FAF had bought 12 HS mark I, There were transfered in 2 flight each 6 planes with support of RAF palens as a "leaders" and rescue planes.
Two HC were lost, one in Scotland in Wick (HU461 - small damage but never had come to Finalnd, only pilot had returend to Finland).
And I think it was rather on 29 II, then on 28 II.
Second had crashed on Norway's island - Egero - total wreck (it was HU462), pilot was badly injured.

Civil codes were given and even painted during transfer flight over Sweden, when Finnish Hurricanes had come to Norway next step was to make overflight over neutral Sweden. So they (as others ex-British planes to Finland) had got civil codes to "cover" military planes. This was the reason for implementing this codes for one flight.

I think that all FAF's Hurricanes were not factory fresh fighters, but after general overhauls "second-hand" machines


The next 13-en or 11-th Hurricane (depends as you want to count) was in fact a total hybrid made from 2 others Hurricanes Mark II, captured from Soviet (ex-VVS planes) in 1942-43. In fact (leter HC-465) was captured by Finns about 16 February 1942 (it was Mark IIA most probably from 760. IAP - there are 2 photos in my book of it).

This plane was used as a hack plane, not as a fighter. In 1943 Hurricanes I were total old and not full servicable.

Some history about FAF's Hurricanes I had made in my book about Hurricanes in Foreign Service from 2001 (now it is old text, which should be upgarded and I have done this, probably will be printed in Polish language this year).

Regards,
MirekW

PS
It is much probably taht the same codes were used in the transfer - overflight - by Blenheim and by Hurricanes crews. This was painted only for one flight. After coming to Finland it was removed.
There is well know left side photo of HU460 were is very poor, but still visible, civil codes letters.