Fate of would be Finnish Hurricane's

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

What was the fate of the would be Finnish Hurricane's HC-461 and HC-462 ?
They were never delivered to Finland.
Did they get lost in transit (ie sunk on a ship) or did they never to leave England ?
If the latter, what became of them in the UK ?
Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Alex

At the time when these two Hurricanes were lost in transit they were still serialled HU461 and HU462.
HU461 was damaged at Wick airfield and obviously so much so it never was capable of moving any further. Probably the right landing gear was pushed into the wing, possibly after a ground loop. This makes me THINK the damage was of such a heavy nature that repairs were not made and it was either left to rot or used by RAF as spares.

HU462 had its delivery pilot loose his bearings in the bad weather and made an emergency landing near Stavanger. Since this must have been appx one month before the German invasion of Norway, this Hurricane may still have been in Norway at the time and destroyed one way or the other.

As you know the basic idea was to use Vasteras in Sweden as stoppage point on the way to Finland. Incidentally Francis Mason is highly inaccurate in his Hurricane book from 1987 describing the Finnish connection!

Through Air Britain I have 11 of the serials out of 12, all in the N23xxx range. Do you possibly have the 12th? I can't find anyone that fits the bill so to speak

Cheers
Stig

[Alex Smart]

Hi Stig,

I find it strange that only 11 can be found, me too.
But have seen as a photo caption for HC460 that that a/c had serial in the "L" series.All others are in "N" series.
But have not been able so far to narow it down.

Also have read that one a/c was delivered by sea at a later date, could it be that the Wick a/c was delivered later after being repaired ?
Re mason book, yes but great for its time though. Has the eleven being sent to the Middle East and there is an extra serial number amongst them.

Alex

[Stig Jarlevik]

Hi Alex

According to Finnish sources they never recieved HU461 and 462.
I haven't checked any other serials than those in the N23xx range so maybe there are surprises yet to come??

I agree, I also thought Mason's book was grand when I bought it "in my youth" , but time flies....

Cheers
Stig

[JALLAN]

Hi Alex
Take a look at the wrecked HU462
www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/WW2History-HC-hakumatka.html
Jari

[Alex Smart]

Hello Jari,

Thanks for the link .
I had it already.
There are at least three photos of this wreck that I have seen.
But none of the one that nosed over and had to have a prop replaced before continuing to Finland.
Thanks again.

Alex