RAF Hurricane Pic Battle of France May 1940. Important for SoW Devs?

[Crumpp]

Great picture and it does raise some interesting questions.

What dates it to the Battle of France?

It is interesting in that it does appear to have wooden blades on the propeller.

AFAIK, the Rotol C/S had metal blades and was not adopted as it did not improve performance over the 2 speed Hamilton.

At least that is what the RAE says and that conclusion is backed up by the data on Williams site. This is actually the correct use of performance comparisons too! We can see the performance improvements brought about by the different configurations and propellers.

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...rricane-I.html

The 2 speed DH is a 3 bladed hub. The same hub was later reworked to upgrade to a C/S. I would think most likely this is a 2 speed DH. The question arises about the wooden blades.

http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...ane/l1547.html

I do know that both DH and Rotol built wooden propellers for testing purposes.

Interesting photo and I look forward to learning more about it.

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

What dates it to the Battle of France?

Aside from anything else, I think the chaps uniform is German, which since the Hurricane was not (I think, informed contradiction would be interesting) used on Rodeos and Circuses, pretty much nails it to the BoF (I always think of Norway as cold, but I suppose that's a possibility).

[Crumpp]

I think the chaps uniform is German,

Maybe, the arrow draw to point out the glass obscures any cap emblem. Besides that, work coveralls and a service cap are common items.

I can't tell what his uniform is from that picture. At least not a thing more than a guess which is not the answer I was looking to get.

There should be something definitive.

On August 19th, 1942, the RAF was called upon to provide air support to the most important offensive of the year, Operation Jubilee, the Allied raid on Dieppe. Fighter Command provided 48 Spitfire squadrons (including several RCAF squadrons: Nos 401, 402, 403, 411, 412 and 416), eight Hurricane squadrons, and three Hawker Typhoon squadrons.

http://www.junobeach.org/e/4/can-tac-air-fig-e.htm

[Lucas_From_Hell]

I wouldn't be so sure... At late 1942, I think most (or all) frontline Hurricanes were already Mark II standard. Just some wild guessing, however...

[Crumpp]

Just some wild guessing, however...

All I am asking for is something besides a guess.

IIRC, Hurricane Mk IIa retained the original Mk I wing armament.

28-Jun-41. Hawker Hurricane AP516 UZ-X. P/O J. Zulikowski.
Shot down by Bf109 over France during Circus 26.

http://www.polishsquadronsremembered...06_losses.html

[Lucas_From_Hell]

Originally Posted by Crumpp

IIRC, Hurricane Mk IIa retained the original Mk I wing armament.

Yes, but the propeller had metal blades, and I think the Mk.IIa later got the slightly longer spinner.

[Crumpp]

the propeller had metal blades

Right, AFAIK all the production Hurricanes 3 bladed propellers used in service were metal.

Now for my original question...

Without taking a guess, what defines this picture as occurring during the Battle of France?

Hurricanes were definitely shot down over France after the Battle of Britain.

[SlipBall]

(quote)
This picture of an RAF Hurricane Mk 1 shot down in the Battle of France ( probably May 1940)



I was just wondering how you reached this conclusion (battle of France), did the first photo also have writing on it's back, if so, could you post an img of it, thanks

[Skarphol]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

(I always think of Norway as cold, but I suppose that's a possibility).

Norway is not a possibility unless this Hurricane was taking off from an aircraft carrier or MAC-ship, both very unlikely. I don't think any Hurricane ever flew over Norway during WWII. I'm allmost 100% certain that a Hurricane has never been shot down here, anyway.
But the scenery could have been in Norway.

Skarphol

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by Skarphol

Norway is not a possibility unless this Hurricane was taking off from an aircraft carrier or MAC-ship, both very unlikely. I don't think any Hurricane ever flew over Norway during WWII. I'm allmost 100% certain that a Hurricane has never been shot down here, anyway.
But the scenery could have been in Norway.

Skarphol

I knew I remembered something like this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Campaign

After the Allied failure in Central Norway, more preparation was given to the northern forces, including two squadrons of carrier-transported fighters operating from Bardufoss Air Station, one of them consisting of Hurricanes, the other of Gloster Gladiators.

It seems 10 Hurricanes were lost at sea on the way back, I presume there were more, but I don't know so.