Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons

flakstruk Deck E developer Posts: 8,347	Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 28, 2020 8:01:37 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by flakstruk on Apr 28, 2020 8:01:37 GMT Anyone have a reference that shows the mark of hurricane the various polish, free french and US volunteer squadrons were established with in 1940

CommanderSam
Forumini Ensign

Posts: 230

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 28, 2020 13:08:05 GMT

Quote

Post by CommanderSam on Apr 28, 2020 13:08:05 GMT

What do you mean by marks? Tradition emblem? Serial? Other markings?

For free french, wikipedia has an entry table and for each, the corresponding unit name in FAF is given, as well as some RAF info (including Sq code). Some directly link to the french squadron name.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Free_French_squadrons_of_the_Royal_Air_Force

With that you can fetch traditions of the unit (if not disbanded).
A good compendium for units until 1940 is at this site (english version available) : www.passionair1940.fr/
A good summay on wikipedia : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_French_Air_Forces

For instance N°326 Squadron is GC (Groupe de Chasse=Fighter Group) II/7 , that can be found here

If you want to see what was the destiny of these units after war, see www.traditions-air.fr/, it has it all (but beware that some sq were reaffected in new groups/wings)

Another good site archived here :

web.archive.org/web/20090301202258/http://rafweb.org/Sqn310-347.htm

flakstruk Deck E developer Posts: 8,347	Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 28, 2020 13:29:58 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by flakstruk on Apr 28, 2020 13:29:58 GMT Production mark

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 29, 2020 0:50:04 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:50:04 GMT

Flak, still digging on the others, but the Free French appear to have used mostly Hurricane Mk Is and Mk IIC (often Trop variants) in North Africa. Once they moved to other theaters, they appear to have switched to Spitfires. I'm inferring a bit...info on them is scant.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 29, 2020 0:56:21 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:56:21 GMT

Eagle Squadrons (American volunteer squadrons) are quite a bit easier.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Squadrons
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._71_Squadron_RAF
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._121_Squadron_RAF
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._133_Squadron_RAF

Hurricane Mk I and Mk IIB.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 29, 2020 0:59:34 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:59:34 GMT

This page has links to the Polish squadrons that operated with the RAF.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_Air_Forces_in_France_and_Great_Britain

I didn't check them all, but it looks like Hurricane Mk. Is, then a switch to other types. Edit: It looks like some of them used Mk IIAs and MkIIBs.

Last Edit: Apr 29, 2020 1:01:05 GMT by SWO_Daddy

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

CommanderSam
Forumini Ensign

Posts: 230

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 30, 2020 10:02:01 GMT

Quote

Post by CommanderSam on Apr 30, 2020 10:02:01 GMT

Apr 29, 2020 0:50:04 GMT SWO_Daddy said:

Flak, still digging on the others, but the Free French appear to have used mostly Hurricane Mk Is and Mk IIC (often Trop variants) in North Africa. Once they moved to other theaters, they appear to have switched to Spitfires. I'm inferring a bit...info on them is scant.

On this page, only MkIIc is listed : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_French_Air_Forces
I don't feel like FFAF flew alot on hurricane. More on Spitfire and american types.

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 30, 2020 12:51:57 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 30, 2020 12:51:57 GMT

Apr 30, 2020 10:02:01 GMT CommanderSam said:

Apr 29, 2020 0:50:04 GMT SWO_Daddy said:

Flak, still digging on the others, but the Free French appear to have used mostly Hurricane Mk Is and Mk IIC (often Trop variants) in North Africa. Once they moved to other theaters, they appear to have switched to Spitfires. I'm inferring a bit...info on them is scant.

On this page, only MkIIc is listed : en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_French_Air_Forces
I don't feel like FFAF flew alot on hurricane. More on Spitfire and american types.

I agree. Most of what I could find on them suggests they only flew the Hurricane in North Africa, and in many cases, had squadrons that started out with the Spitfire or other types. I can't find the webpage now, but I did see a passing reference to Mk. Is, which the I think the Brits also used early in the North Africa campaign.

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

curtm1911 Forumini Captain 1000 posts, Captain, cool. Thanks Forumini! Posts: 1,612	Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 30, 2020 19:04:49 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by curtm1911 on Apr 30, 2020 19:04:49 GMT Didn't some North Africa Hurricanes have, was it a BOFORS for anti armor attacks...they did have something along these lines I recall.

SWO_Daddy
Deck E developer

Posts: 6,016

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 30, 2020 20:42:03 GMT

Quote

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 30, 2020 20:42:03 GMT

You may be thinking of the Hurricane Mk-IID. I have no idea if the Free French squadrons ever used them.

2xBrownings loaded with tracers and a pair of 40mm in pods with 15 rounds each for tank busting.

Standard Hurricane armament, even within the same Mark varied between Browning MGs and 20mm guns.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Hurricane_variants

Last Edit: Apr 30, 2020 20:42:30 GMT by SWO_Daddy

I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way.
- Captain John Paul Jones

curtm1911 Forumini Captain 1000 posts, Captain, cool. Thanks Forumini! Posts: 1,612	Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Apr 30, 2020 20:56:22 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by curtm1911 on Apr 30, 2020 20:56:22 GMT Yes SWO, that is the one I had seen in pics & some live footage....an effective plane in this configuration...thanks!

warspite1
Forumini Ensign

Posts: 71

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons May 31, 2020 14:52:32 GMT

Quote

Post by warspite1 on May 31, 2020 14:52:32 GMT

Apr 30, 2020 19:04:49 GMT curtm1911 said:

Didn't some North Africa Hurricanes have, was it a BOFORS for anti armor attacks...they did have something along these lines I recall.

Not the Bofors, that weapon would be far too heavy.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_S

Barry

warspite1
Forumini Ensign

Posts: 71

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons May 31, 2020 15:01:37 GMT

Quote

Post by warspite1 on May 31, 2020 15:01:37 GMT

Apr 28, 2020 8:01:37 GMT flakstruk said:

Anyone have a reference that shows the mark of hurricane the various polish, free french and US volunteer squadrons were established with in 1940

If established in 1940 then the mark of aeroplane being issued would be the Mark I.

The Hurricane II primarily came into service from 1941 onwards but it is likely that Mark I versions would have been issued to units until newer ones were available.

A Battle of Britain veteran Mark I was recovered from India a few years ago and rebuilt. Its petrol tank was found to have BoB damage. That may give you an idea of how far older Hurricanes might be sent.

Sadly a lot of ex-BoB Hurricanes were expended on one-way trips off of CAM ships (Catapult Armed Merchantmen) to shoot down FW200C and the like. The pilot then had to ditch into the sea which was not easy given the large intake under the aeroplane. The first pilot to ditch a Hurricane into the sea was nicknamed "Green to Black" following his report that he did not mind the green water outside his canopy but he started to get worried when the water went black. The ventral intake acted as a scoop and had pulled it underwater.
I seem to recall reading the Pilots Notes on the Hurricane and I think it advised applying full rudder on a water touch-down and going in wing-first.

There were only three main marks of the Hurricane, the I, II and IV.
Canadian production was prefixed with an X so a Hurricane XII was actually a Hurricane II.

Barry

Last Edit: May 31, 2020 15:04:12 GMT by warspite1

weedsrock2
Administrator

Posts: 4,524

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Jun 1, 2020 5:16:15 GMT

Quote

Post by weedsrock2 on Jun 1, 2020 5:16:15 GMT

May 31, 2020 15:01:37 GMT warspite1 said:

Apr 28, 2020 8:01:37 GMT flakstruk said:

Anyone have a reference that shows the mark of hurricane the various polish, free french and US volunteer squadrons were established with in 1940

If established in 1940 then the mark of aeroplane being issued would be the Mark I.

The Hurricane II primarily came into service from 1941 onwards but it is likely that Mark I versions would have been issued to units until newer ones were available.

A Battle of Britain veteran Mark I was recovered from India a few years ago and rebuilt. Its petrol tank was found to have BoB damage. That may give you an idea of how far older Hurricanes might be sent.

Sadly a lot of ex-BoB Hurricanes were expended on one-way trips off of CAM ships (Catapult Armed Merchantmen) to shoot down FW200C and the like. The pilot then had to ditch into the sea which was not easy given the large intake under the aeroplane. The first pilot to ditch a Hurricane into the sea was nicknamed "Green to Black" following his report that he did not mind the green water outside his canopy but he started to get worried when the water went black. The ventral intake acted as a scoop and had pulled it underwater.
I seem to recall reading the Pilots Notes on the Hurricane and I think it advised applying full rudder on a water touch-down and going in wing-first.

There were only three main marks of the Hurricane, the I, II and IV.
Canadian production was prefixed with an X so a Hurricane XII was actually a Hurricane II.

Barry

Nice information.

The IJN Carrier Liberation Force - "Because We Care"
Join the IJNCVLF. Service Guarantees Citizenship!

warspite1 Forumini Ensign Posts: 71	Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons Jun 1, 2020 13:01:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by warspite1 on Jun 1, 2020 13:01:05 GMT Jun 1, 2020 5:16:15 GMT weedsrock2 said: Thank you weedsrock2. You may remember me from the previous decade. I was very active on the previous site. Barry

Gallery Title:
Image URL:
Image Title:
Comment:
Tick this box if you would like to allow other members to add images to your gallery.Add Image

Forumini

title

Hurricane Volunteer Squadrons

Post by flakstruk on Apr 28, 2020 8:01:37 GMT

Post by CommanderSam on Apr 28, 2020 13:08:05 GMT

Post by flakstruk on Apr 28, 2020 13:29:58 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:50:04 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:56:21 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 29, 2020 0:59:34 GMT

Post by CommanderSam on Apr 30, 2020 10:02:01 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 30, 2020 12:51:57 GMT

Post by curtm1911 on Apr 30, 2020 19:04:49 GMT

Post by SWO_Daddy on Apr 30, 2020 20:42:03 GMT

Post by curtm1911 on Apr 30, 2020 20:56:22 GMT

Post by warspite1 on May 31, 2020 14:52:32 GMT

Post by warspite1 on May 31, 2020 15:01:37 GMT

Post by weedsrock2 on Jun 1, 2020 5:16:15 GMT

Post by warspite1 on Jun 1, 2020 13:01:05 GMT

Quick Reply