Hawker Hurricane in ARR

Hi Ruy,

Yes, as a matter of fact all Mk.II’s were armed with Darn’s from the very first moment, as far as I know. Considering imported Mk.I’s it seems that all machines that remained in service until late 30’s were also rearmed with Darn’s. But it seems that you already know that only couple of Mk.I’s was still in service in 3rd Fighter School at Blagaj airfield near Mostar, unarmed examples. One of those was captured on Niksic airfield by Italian forces, I have somewhere serial nr. of that a/c. So far, I know that IK-2 fighters were all armed with Darn’s, but I’ll double check that for you. I still have a combat report written by IK-2 pilot with note that his mgs failed to open fire. It must be Darn’s!
BTW mentioned under wing mg pods were never used by VVKJ for any type of a/c.
It seems that you know some fine details about VVKJ. Research or hobby?

Cheers,
Aleks


Hi Bernad,

According to German reports five Hurricanes were captured on Yugoslav soil plus one fuselage without engine at Gorica airfield. One more Hurricane was captured by Italians at Niksic and was sent for further testing to Italy. If Rumanian AF received only three machines, does it mean that three were operational and other for some kind of spare parts or what? Were there any additional spare parts for those machines as it was for Finns when they bought VVKJ Blenheim’s?
And finally, is there any photo of mentioned a/c?

Cheers,
Aleks

Yes, I am aware of the mentioned German report. However, apparently only three airworthy machines were eventually sold to Rumania in 1941. What happened to the rest? I don't know.

I enclose a photo of a captured Yugoslav Hurricane, made by a German soldier. Unfortunately, the serial number cannot be seen.

Gen. Dénes

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Hello Aleks,

Research and hobby... both things. I wrote a book on the Hawker Fury (it is being distributed in Spain by the time you read these lines), but I am always expanding my files on what regards both the Fury and the V.V.K.J., two favourite subjects of mine.
Cheers,

Ruy

Hi Bernad,

Thanks for quick respond. I’m wondering about rest of the captured VVKJ Hurricanes. I suppose that they must be used as some sort of spare parts. Maybe someone else can help with that?
Nice photo. It was probably taken at Zemun airfield, but those hills in the background are strange to me. Anyway landing strip is made of concrete and there is a part of wing on the right belonged to PVT fighter trainer a/c. Do you know where the photo was taken?
I have small info for you too. Some time ago a friend from Finland send me interesting info. It was related to Blenheim spare parts from Ikarus that were reserved for Rumanian AF. Finns managed to negotiate with Germans to buy Rumanian parts too. So the parts addressed to ARR ended in Finland. C’est la vie.
Is there any chance that we can speak about one copy of your captured VVKJ Hurricane photo? I also posted topic about VVKJ Blenheims over Rumanian soil in 1941. Do you know something, I need some help for my research.

Cheers,
Aleks

Well, let's try once more Bernad,

Is there any chance that we can speak about one copy of your captured VVKJ Hurricane photo? I also posted topic about VVKJ Blenheims over Rumanian soil in 1941. Do you know something, I need some help for my research.

Cheers,

Aleksandar Ognjevic
does it sound familiar to you?

Hi Aleksandar. Nice to meet you here, too.
Yes, of course we can talk about a copy of the photo. Contact me via my private e-mail, please.

As for the mentioned Yugoslav Blenheim crashes over Rumania, unfortunately I don't have any details. All I know about is a Do 17Ka that crashed in April 1941, while en-route to the USSR.

Gen. Dénes

Below pictures with another 1/24 model of romanian Hurricane MkI. This time "Yellow 3" in a diorama. ( modeled by Dan Melinte )


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Looking at this model kit the question arises (and I don't have the answer for it): did this particular airplane have metal or fabric covered wings? Cantacuzino, maybe you can ask Dan Melinte, who built the kit...

Gen. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on February 07, 2005 03:22 pm

Dan Melinte was busy so i have to find myself the answer for your request:

Hawker Hurricane Mk I had metal covered wings. ( only the back fuselage is fabric covered)
As far as i know only prototype and preseries Huricanes were fabric covered wings.

Cantacuzino.

I'm not very knowledgeable in UK warplanes, but IIRC fabric covered wings were still used in the early manufacturing process of the Mk. I.

Gen. Dénes

This post has been edited by Dénes on February 07, 2005 04:58 pm

Here is what I've found on the 'net:

Source: http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jjuvonen/planes/hurricane.html

It appears that there are good chances (some of) the Hurricanes shipped to Rumania in late 1939 did have fabric covered wings.

Gen. Dénes

Further more detailed info from the 'net:

Source: http://www3.mistral.co.uk/k5083/APS.HTM

Gen. Dénes

Until now i didn't look in the pictures to confirm this theory. But in the future i will look more carefull for such details. Anyway I saw rom. mechanics standing on Huricane wings so at least those were with aluminium sheet cover.
What is interesting for fabric cover planes was impact explosion bullets were not so much danger for them only incendiary tracers bullets could set on fire.

Dan.

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on February 09, 2005 11:21 am

This reminds me that the Soviet report related to the crash site of Rosescu's Hurricane mentions that the airplane was armed with 8 machine guns. This is in contrast with some sources, which mention that the ARR Hurricanes were fitted with only 6 machine guns.

Gen. Dénes