Hurricane IID BP131 6 Squadron History

[3DStewart]

I'm interested in this aircraft, which is second in line (JV-?) in the well know photo held by the IWM.

So far I've established that it was indeed a Hurricane IID, but I don't know what aircraft code it wore or it's service history. If anyone can help I will be grateful.

Stewart

Edited June 29, 2012 by 3DStewart

[Smithy]

Best place to start unless someone here has specifics on this airframe would be to ascertain the date or rough date of this photo and then visit the NA site and download the appropriate months for the 6 Sqn ORB. This will list the serial number (and if you are very lucky in rare instances the ORB also includes the individual aircraft code) on the dates that she flew operationally and the pilot on each sortie. If the ORB lists a claim or claims for this particular airframe then you will be able to do another search at the NA for a pilot's particular combat report on the date/s in question. The reason for this is that, not always, but in many cases the pilot's combat report lists the aircraft code.

Just be aware that a few ORBs and combat reports from the North Africa theatre were lost and are therefore missing. I can't speak for 6 Sqn as they are not in my field of interest but a quick search of the NA archive will confirm either way.

If you not successful in this, then it really is a lot harder. You'll have to hunt down logbooks of those pilots that flew the airframe that are listed in the ORB, as the pilot logbooks 99% of the time have the aircraft code listed for each flight.

Hope that helps in some small way,

Tim

Edited June 30, 2012 by Smithy

[AndyL]

Stewart,

I'm doing a few bits in the RAFM archive on Tuesday. I'll see about pulling the Form 78 ( the service history card ) for this Hurricane for you.

Regards

Andy

[3DStewart]

Stewart,

I'm doing a few bits in the RAFM archive on Tuesday. I'll see about pulling the Form 78 ( the service history card ) for this Hurricane for you.

Regards

Andy

Thanks Andy, that would be very helpful.

[Edgar]

The 6 Squadron ORBs are still in existence, along with a lot of other material, in the National Archives; it appears that the Squadron did a lot of work with rockets and 40mm guns, and there are reports, on their effect, with some photos (of their "victims.") According to Mason's book, on the Hurricane, May 1942 is the likeliest period, though a more precise date would be handy. The ORBs are all on microfilm so it involves running through yards of the stuff, until you (hopefully) find something useful. I can look through some of it, during my next visit, but can make no promises (I already have two of the reports, and BP131 doesn't get a mention.)

Edgar

[Edgar]

It does not seem to have seen much use, only during August & September 1942, and was hit, by a Breda, hard enough on September 5th., to destroy its radio. After that, it never appears again, and, in December, to the Squadron's dismay, they were taken off anti-tank work, and re-equipped with the Hurricane IIC, to return to fighter operations.

Edgar

P.S. The ORB makes no mention of any codes, sorry.

Edited July 7, 2012 by Edgar

[3DStewart]

It does not seem to have seen much use, only during August & September 1942, and was hit, by a Breda, hard enough on September 5th., to destroy its radio. After that, it never appears again, and, in December, to the Squadron's dismay, they were taken off anti-tank work, and re-equipped with the Hurricane IIC, to return to fighter operations.

Edgar

P.S. The ORB makes no mention of any codes, sorry.

Thanks for the info about BP131.

Are you sure about 6 Sqn being taken off anti-tank duties in December 1942? There is the fairly well known Pathe newsreel of them doing a staged shoot up of a German tank in early 1943 (I think) and the IWM has colour photography of 6 Sqn in the IID tank buster role in Tunisia in April 1943.

Edited July 7, 2012 by 3DStewart

[Edgar]

Are you sure about 6 Sqn being taken off anti-tank duties in December 1942?

Only quoting what the officer wrote in the ORB, in December (and he was not happy); if the Air Ministry changed their minds, it could be a bit further on, but I stopped there.

[Smithy]

P.S. The ORB makes no mention of any codes, sorry.

Not at all uncommon with ORBs as squadron and maintenance admin were only interested in the serial. Makes it difficult for us now trying to track down codes though!

Stewart, for an individual aircraft code you really will either have to track down another photo of the airframe showing this, or track down combat reports from pilots who flew her, or the logbooks of those pilots who flew her. Another avenue (which has worked in the past for me as well) is to get in touch with the squadron's association. Although former members from this period are getting thin on the ground, the 6 Sqn Association may very well help putting you in contact with former members' families in some cases, or can put a request for information in the squadron association newsletter.

Cheers and happy hunting,

Tim

Edit: PS - Also forgot to say that it might be worth posting your query at 12 O'Clock High Forum

The site is frequented by a number of professional WWII aviation historians and serious amateur historians and therefore has a very large knowledge pool to draw upon. You might just get an answer from one of the members.

Edited July 8, 2012 by Smithy

[Test Graham]

It has been suggested that some of the photos claimed as 6 Sq were really 7 SAAF, though I don't know the truth of that. This might be why the aircraft were seen after December 1942. However, Fighter Squadrons of the RAF states that the Mk.IId served from May 1942 to Jan 1943, and from February 1943 to September 1943, whereas the Mk.IIc served from Jan 1942 to Mar 1942. In view of what you say, Edgar, I suggest that the FSRAF comment is a misprint for Jan 1943 to Mar 1943 and that the squadron was only briefly re-equipped with the Mk.IIc before returning to the Mk.IId.

I assume that the comments on rockets refer to the unit's later time with the Mk.IVs (July 1943 - Jan 1947).

[3DStewart]

This is conjecture on my part, but I have wondered why the squadron codes on 6 Sqn were present in 1942, but absent in photos taken in 1943. If the Hurricane IIDs were withdrawn and then re-instated a couple of months later with new airframes it could explain why the squadron codes (but not a/c codes) are completely absent in later photos.

One for the 6 Sqn Association perhaps?

Stewart