Birmingham 101 HOME
What's On
Music & Gig
Guide
Restaurants
Nightlife
Articles -
Previous Features & Articles
Motors -
Motors reports & articles
Music -
Gig Guide
Reviews Archives
Photos -
Photos of
Events & the Midlands
Local News -
News
(Going back to 2000)
Latest road tests
and News
Motors reports & articles
-ARCHIVES
Where to stay
Travel & Timetables
Web Design
Photo of the day + "photo galleries"
Video -
Various clips
from past events
Address & Phone
Advertising
Features
Web Design
Newsletter - subscribe
General
Rare Battle Of Britain Hurricane makes its debut at Duxford air show
Click image to see larger version
An extremely rare Hurricane fighter which flew 65 years ago
during the Battle of Britain made its air show debut at Duxford’s Victory in
Europe Anniversary Air Show on 7 & 8 May.
This exceptionally rare aircraft, Hawker Hurricane Mk I R4118, thought to be the
only surviving airworthy Hurricane from the Battle of Britain, first came to
prominence in December last year when, following an extensive three-year
restoration, it flew for the first time in over 60 years. During the Battle of
Britain, R4118 flew some 49 combat sorties and shot down a number of enemy
aircraft. One of the pilots who flew this aircraft during the Battle, Wing
Commander Bob Foster DFC, was also present at the Show to witness his former
fighter demonstrate its aerial manoeuvrability to the crowds.
CLICK HERE TO
SEE MANY MORE PHOTOS
The journey from Battle of Britain fighter to restored aircraft has been a long
one – in 1943 the aircraft was shipped out to Bombay, India to be used as a
training aircraft and was donated to a local university for engineering students
in 1947. For years the aircraft lay rusting and forgotten until, in March 1982,
it was discovered by Peter Vacher, a man passionate about restoring vintage
Rolls-Royce motor cars. Thereafter, Peter dreamed of bringing the aircraft back
to England and restoring it to an airworthy condition. Finally, in 2002 and
after much research and careful negotiation, Peter was able to bring the
aircraft back to the UK for its restoration to begin.
Says Duxford’s Marketing & Public Relations Manager Tracey Woods “This is a
remarkable story – not just that this exceptionally rare aircraft has survived
all these years, but that thanks to the hard-work and dedication of one man who
was determined to see the aircraft restored to its former glory and a team of
skilled people who undertook the restoration work, the aircraft will be making
its first public appearance at Duxford. It will surely be an emotive moment for
all those involved with this aircraft – from the pilots who flew it in battle to
those who have worked so hard to restore it.”
Duxford is just south of Cambridge on the M11. Ample free parking or Park and
Ride from Junction 11, M11. For more information visit
www.iwm.org.uk.