Anybody excited about the prospect of a two seat Hurricane

[54H60]

Rumour is there might just be one in the works and available for rides when restoration complete.

[Warbird Kid]

Uh..... YEAH!? I wondered when this was going to happen. Will it be a basically all new-build aircraft?

[bdk]

Is there a historical precedence for this configuration?

[Thomas_Mac]

Im assuming you are referring to the Vintage Wings of Canada example currently under restoration?

http://vintagewingsofcanada.blogspot.ca/

[Warbird Kid]

That aircraft doesn't seem to be a two seater. Right?

[Thomas_Mac]

From the blog, hit Ctrl+F to search and type in "seat""

"That’s right, the first thing I did today along side Annie Carreau, was make room for a second seat in the Hurricane! Whaaa….TWO? Yes, two. We are exploring the possibility of the Mk.XII Hurricane to have two seats in her, for sponsored flights! There is still a lot to be done in order to make a space for a second seat, but today we had to remove some crosswire/bar supports under the ‘dog kennel.’"

[Dan K]

These guys seem to like the idea.

[Mark Allen M]

Will they be adding the gun?

[bdk]

Nothing like flying a plane with an open cockpit on the Russion front! I wonder if Canada qualifies as being just as cold?

[Fleet16b]

I for one hope they don't do this.
As a purist , I believe in returning a historical airframe back to its original configuration not " an original configuration"
Would be a shame to modify the airframe and ruin such an historical artifact.

[airnutz]

What can be done, can be "undone" later. The funds from the Hurricane experience would be a welcome boost in revenue to any collection, one would think.

[Pat Carry]

Where do I get in line for a flight?

[Warbird Kid]

Well just speaking broadly, it seems to me that one of the best ways for these aircraft to earn there keep is through ride programs. Meaning they have the largest return of profits from this service, compared to the others (i.e. airshow/flyover/static/etc.) Would this be a true statement?

So now I get to this. I personally believe for the majority that:

1. An historical aircraft should try and stay as historically original as possible.
2. If said organization wishes to convert an aircraft to a less authentic or modified appearance then it's acceptable if "the damage" can be undone. Such as what airnutz what was saying.

I can't blame VWoC for wanting to go down this road. I'm seriously surprised Hawker Restorations ltd. wasn't the first group to be building a two seater. They basically have all the knowledge, skill, and materials to be making all new Hurricanes. No?

While I'll be sad to not see this Hurricane finished as it was originally, I'd still want a ride in her.

[kmiles]

I wonder what it will do to the CG of the aircraft in flight. There are no heavy objects being taken out of that area for the second seat, so how much ballast will need to be added to the nose to make up for the additional weight aft of the CG? With a tube and fabric airframe, just adding 180 lbs (the average sized male adult) to that area could put it in the same situation as the 2 seat spitfires where the percentage of the general population that could fit back there is really limited. I do not think I would want to be at the controls the first time there was a passenger in that seat.

[DaveM2]

There was talk years ago that the Iranian AFM had a two seat Hurricane in store....

Dave