Hawker Hurricane Returns to Carlisle - Warbirds

[MacKay71]

Great pics! Thanks!

[Sir William]

Good photos Alex.

While there is no question the Spitfire is one of the most graceful looking aircraft, I've always preferred the looks of the Hurricane. Any idea whose paint scheme this one is painted in?

[1malt]

Great pics, great to see them flying.

In '98 I worked with a local client who was looking for a "Gate Guard" Spit,(fiberglass reproductions) eventually found and made a deal with a builder from Norwich UK. Ended up having a Mk. IX Spit and a Mk.II Hurricane shipped to my boat shop in Ontario. My job was to assemble, paint, install a steel frame and mount the Spit on the roof of the clients surplus store (KW Surplus in Kitchener, On.). The Hurricane was sold to Canadian War Plane Heritage in Hamilton wear they have it on display (inside, much to my dismay, it really should be outside on a pole not with the flying collection). It was bought to replace the original Hurricane that was lost in they're tragic fire in '79. The landing legs on the repro are from the original, salvaged from the fire.

I have many fond memories of the project, but the most surreal was the morning of Nov. 11 '98. At the shop by myself that day, I had turned off all the lights but one bank as I was to leave for the day. The hurricane was just days before completed and was at the end of the shop in the half light. As I was about to leave, the radio tuned to the CBC, started playing "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Glad I was alone, I just stood there frozen, looking at the Hurricane, listening to the song, thinking of my uncle Bud who was shot down in '43 flying a Halifax II, 419 sq. Took awhile to compose myself before I could leave.
bla bla bla..............forgive the hijack.
Cheers,
Ken

PS: The Spit is still on the roof in Kitchener and every time I see it all I think about is going almost hyperthermic doing the install.

[Phil]

Once again great photos, Alex, which I missed earlier. The nearest I've been to a Spitfire is the one that sits outside Turnhouse airport although I'm not sure it's still there.

[David Dalglish]

Great pictures Alex, I did see some of them from our Golf Club flying around the area