A BRIEF HISTORY OF R4118 UP*W
With
49 combat sorties, five enemy aircraft destroyed, and being itself shot
down in the Battle of Britain, Hurricane R4118 is regarded as the most
historic British aircraft to survive in flying condition from the Second
World War.
Hawker Hurricane Mark I, R4118, was delivered new to
605 (County of Warwick) Squadron at Drem on 17 August 1940. During the
Battle of Britain it flew 49 sorties from Croydon and shot down five
enemy aircraft. After being battle damaged on 22 October 1940, the
aircraft was rebuilt and taken on charge by 111 Squadron at Dyce on 18
January 1941. There it was flown on patrol over the North Sea and was
again in combat. Over the following two years it was used primarily as a
training aircraft with 59 and 56 OTUs, and was rebuilt a further three
times following major accidents, including hitting a lorry on the runway
and being stuffed into a snowbank!
In
December 1943, R4118 was crated at Cardiff and shipped to India as a
training aircraft. However it was never needed and remained in its
packing case in Bombay until 1947 when it was struck off charge. It was
donated to a university for engineering instruction. The fuselage was
stood outside in a compound with the propeller, wings and tailplane laid
on the ground.
There
it remained as a “Time Capsule” and the ultimate “Barn Find” until June
2001 when Peter Vacher was able to conclude six-year-long negotiations
and R4118 was loaded into a container and returned to the United
Kingdom. The aircraft has been restored to flying condition over a three
year period.
During its lifetime, it was fitted with no fewer
than five Rolls-Royce Merlin III engines, and underwent four major
rebuilds. It is still powered by a Merlin III (the only other aircraft
in the world to retain a Merlin III is the Sea Hurricane at
Shuttleworth). It is said to be the most historic fighter aircraft to
have survived the war.
Meticulous
restoration was undertaken by Hawker Restorations Ltd in Suffolk. This
included fitting every piece of equipment which was in the aircraft
during the Battle, such as the first of the VHF radios (the TR1133), the
Identification Friend or Foe unit, the original 8 Browning machine
guns, and the camera gun in the starboard wing.
Wing
Commander Bob Foster, who shot down three enemy aircraft from R4118
during the Battle, was the Chairman of the Battle of Britain Fighter
Association until his passing in August 2014.
RESTORATION OF R4118 UP*W
The
rebuild of the airframe of Hurricane Mk I R4118 was undertaken by
Hawker Restorations Ltd. Considering that the aircraft had stood outside
in India for 54 years, suffering the annual monsoons, it was in
remarkable condition.
The centre section steel spars had to be
replaced, as were the wing spars. Most aluminium parts were reused
together with the internal wing structures. The hydraulic and fuel
systems were preserved intact. Original electrical components and
instruments were sourced.
Meticulous attention was paid to
restoring R4118 exactly as it had been flown in the Battle of Britain.
Even the original VHF radio and Identification Friend or Foe equipment
were found. The original Browning .303 machine guns were reconditioned
before being de-activated and refitted. The airframe was covered in
original Irish linen and painted by Vintage Fabrics.
The
early Merlin III engine was rebuilt by Maurice Hammond. The Rotol
propeller was constructed by Skycraft and included new original-type
wooden blades.During the rebuild, every component was subjected to the
rigorous demands of the Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring maximum
safety and durability.
Aircraft located: United Kingdom. SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO VERIFICATION UPON INSPECTION
Jen Judson
Η Βρετανία είναι Χριστιανική χώρα 
