Strangely, I was just reading some microfilm I have and came across this entry. The film is very difficult to read but I believe it says this
1944 Alghero Fertilla Airfield)
"On 23 January , the 346th received another Hurricane to be converted into a two searer and used primarily for transportation purposes."
I know this is not particularly fascinating, But for me, It is always a pleasure to have such a specific date attached to the arrival of a particular airplane. I can not say for certain today if "another" refers to the 346th receiving its second Hurricane after wearing out the first or, since this is a 350th HQ Diary, This entry refers to the 350th FG receiving another and assigning this one to the 346th. I will talk with Hugh Dow and see if he can help with the date.
I will see if I can gather any more specifics on the Hurricanes of the 350th FG. The photo I have of the two seater on my blog is indeed KX857. The serial number is very visible when I zoom in on the photo. I had written this a couple of years ago in my notes to myself.
The photo of the Hurricane itself is Hurricane IIc Serial Number KX857.
Air Britains RAF Aircraft KA100-KZ999 gives KX857 as one of a batch of 1455 Hurricane IIB, IIC, IID, and IVs delivered from Hawkers Kingston and Langley factorys between 11/1942 and 5/1943, noting that it went to the Middle East and that there was No Further Trace.
That "no further trace' no doubt being it's movement to 345th where it is converted to a two seater.
I do not recall who I am quoting in this note. There are two photos of this a/c in my 345th collection. The closeup of the two seats shows pilot Earl "Dutch" Miller in the front seat. I have yet to Identify the back seat rider.
My father had a ride or two in this a/c after being picked up from his crashed P-39. He downed three of them in Feb/44.
That's all for now.
Keith
6th May 2008, 06:41
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