Racing Hurricanes

Mgawa · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 6:46 pm

Greetings all,

last thing that I espected is that Hawker Hurricane is used as racer. I have just seen one image of finished kit. Is this plane real and how many Hurricanes are used as racers? Which races?

Cheers

Consul · **Posted:** Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:34 pm

I expect you are referring to Hurricane PZ865 which was the last example built and so carried the name "Last of the many" for a long time. It was at one time registered to Hawkers with the civilian registration G-AMAU. Whilst in their ownership it was flown for some time in an overall blue colour scheme with gold trim lines. It was flown in some air races in the UK in the 1950s including the National Air Races in 1951 for example. It carried race number 99 and flown by Peter Townsend (Princess Margaret's beau at one time).

The aircraft still survives in airworthy condition, but reverted to military colours and serial because many years back it was presented to the RAF and remains a member of their memorial flight.

I am not aware that any other Hurricanes were used for air racing and none of the airframes that survive are raced nor (due to their value) are they likely to be IMHO.

Tim

Mgawa · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 1:58 am

Thank you for info

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 2:12 am

There's film of Townsend flying G-AMAU on the www.britishpathe.com website, and quite a few photos out there.

One thing missing from Consul's excellent response is that the races were often handicap races:

Quote:

Generally, the races comprise four or five laps of a course of 25 miles centred on an airfield, with a staggered start on handicap, designed to produce a simultaneous finish. Spectators are therefore able to see both the start and the finish.

http://www.esparacing.com/sport_pilot/handicap.htm

So a Hurricane wasn't going to find it a walkover!

TJJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 12:14 pm

This Hurricane finished second in the 1950 King's Cup.

Spitfires have also taken part in air racing. AB910 – another BBMF aircraft – was raced by Group Captain Alan Wheeler post war for several seasons. It was donated to the RAF in 1965.

The Mark 8 Trainer prototype G-AIDN (now back in the UK) also competed for the cup.

Sir Charles Masefield raced P51 Mustang N6356T, and won the King's Cup in 1967 with a speed of 277.5 mph.

I help out as a turning point marshal for the current handicapped races, which are still 4-6 laps and about 120 miles.

Currently the slowest aircraft racing regularly are Austers, and the fastest Beech Barons. The Barons start about 35 minutes later than the Austers, and on a good day the finish can be quite close!

Auster G-TENT flown by Rob Callaway-Lewis won the championship in 2007 and an SF260 N61FD flown by Alistair Allen was top dog last year.

airnutz · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 3:39 pm

A bit off-topic, but interesting too..don't forget the post war Finnish Bf 109 air race.
http://hsfeatures.com/features04/bf109g624racercs_1.htm

Mgawa · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:40 pm

I knoiw for Finland, it is interesting. Any archive images of Huri racer?

Consul · **Posted:** Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:51 pm

Mgawa wrote:

............Any archive images of Huri racer?

See here.
Tim
http://www.abpic.co.uk/photo/1035718/

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:06 am

Yes!! This is it!! I owe you color profile

PeterA · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 5:50 am

Mgawa wrote:

Yes!! This is it!! I owe you color profile

This may help. I uploaded it from the net for a colour reference.

Blue with gold trim as I remember.

PeterA

Credit photo to Peter Berry.

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:14 am

Perfect image!!!!

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:35 am

Good to mention that there is separate forum for this subject

Sorry to Mod and Admin, I relly did not take attention.

Thank you all for sharing of your knowledge and time and here you are finished art :razz:

Cheers

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