Was there an italian Hurricane??

[Brian]

Hi guys

The picture of the captured RAF Hurricane in the hangar was taken in Sicily. It was Z2491/HA-D of 126 Squadron from Malta which had been brought down while strafing Comiso airfield on 24 November 1941, Flt Sgt W.D. Greenhalgh was captured unhurt.

Another Hurricane captured by the Italians in much better conditon was V7716/TP-U of 73 Squadron that force-landed outside Tobruk during a sandstorn on 12 April 1941. The pilot Flt Lt G.E. Ball DFC, who had flown with Bader during the Battle of Britain, was also captured. I assume the Hurricane was later flown by the Italians in Italian markings - perhaps others can confirm this. There is a nice picture of V7716 in 'Hurricanes over Tobruk', which was sent to me by TOCH member Gianandrea Bussi.

Cheers
Brian