Warbird Information Exchange

This Hurricane was used in various trials at RAAF base Laverton during World War 2. The image of the aircraft out to pasture in silver finish was taken at the graveyard at Werribee, south of Point Cook. Many aircraft were scrapped there including a Messerschmitt Bf109E which had been sent to Australia for a series of morale boosting appearances during the war.

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The RAAF Hurricane A60-1, again in its silver and bare metal colour scheme at Point Cook in June 1945.

(Image property of Aust. War Memorial, not for commercial use)



Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

Mgawa,

The silver photo you have of the Hurricane parked with Airspeed Oxfords is most likely taken at Point Cook in late 1945 or 1946, which had its own graveyard of aircraft on the eastern side of the airfield near the salt lake, the unbroken horizon in the photo more closely resembles the coastal area of Point Cook than the Werribee Satellite Airfield which is ringed with trees, and had Hangars dispersed in every direction from the salvage site.

The adf-serials.com website which derives most of its information from the RAAF History cards for each airframe shows the Hurricane was only with 1AD at Laverton for a couple of months in 1944 following lengthy service with No.1 Communications Flight from 1943 onwards, and later transfer to Point Cook in 1945 and eventual disposal from that site in 1946.

There is a lack of photos and records of its fate after leaving Point Cook, and its eventual site of scrapping is uncertain, the Gordon Brothers operated a scrap yard at Werrribee and the aircraft may have been relocated to that site, but it is very unlikely that it was flown, or re-assembled at Werribee.

Parts of the Hurricane have since been located in Latrobe Valley from the property of Reg Dyke. It is uncertain if the aircraft in its entirety went to Reg Dyke in the late 1940s' (who was a scrap dealer in his own right), or these remaining parts were purchased by Reg in the late 1970's when he purchased the scrap and spares material at Gordon's yard in Werribee when that site was re-developed. It is understood its history after departing Point Cook is reliant on Dyke family memories and the existance of a few remaining parts, rather than any documented or photographic evidence.

http://adf-serials.com/2a60.shtml



regards

Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

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A recent article by Ken McDonald in the journal of the Aviation Historical Society of Australia Vol.40 #1, has further questioned suggestions the RAAF Hurricane ever made it to the Werribee Satellite Airfield and No.1 CRD, the article describes its last known flights by Ken at Point Cook and provides numerous photos of it in its silver colour scheme, including some showing many panels missing and clearly taken when it had become unservicable.

The article also quotes an earlier AHSA journal article by Joe Barr that states "Some reports have it wrecked at Werribee, but the aircraft was purchased by Reg Dyke at Miraboo North and tranported there. It was wrecked and disposed of, we presume that means broken up and sold as parts or scrap. Reg Dyke's family do not have any remaining parts of the aircraft"

Interestingly its fuel tank was recovered from Reg Dyke's property and has survived in the collection of Jason Stagg in Gippsland.

It seems very clear that the aircraft did not fly from Point Cook to Werribee, and it would be unlikely to have been dis-assembled, transported to Werribee and then re-assembled only to allow it to be scrapped. It seems clear it was sold for scrap directly from Point Cook and that all of the photos of the aircaft in its silver paint scheme are at Point Cook.

The image you posted at the beginning of this thread is clearly taken at Point Cook, given the clear horizon looking out over the adjacent bay, there are trees ringing the perimeter of the Werribee airfield and such a camera view would not be possible, and as stated the records relating to the Hurricane make no mention of Werribee or 1CRD.


regards

Mark Pilkington

_________________
20th Century - The Age of Manned Flight
"from Wrights to Armstrong in 66 years -WOW!"

I have some insight on this.

Reg Dyke purchased the Hurricane from Gordons Yard. He brought it because it had a centre section so he could remove the wings and tow it home.

On the day he was to do that he arrived at Gordon's yard to pick it up and discovered the wheels had been removed. Apparently they were smaller than other wheels and were sold for a trailer. Thus unable to move it he souvenired some bits and pieces and purchased a P-40-N instead. Gordon cut the wings outboard of the undercarriage for him and he towed the lot home as planned...thinking he could reattach the wings somehow.

The hurricane had lots of steel and stainless in it . Mr Gordon told me he scrapped the easy bits, engine cowls wings tail and burned the remainder then fished out the aluminium.

The P-40 sat on Reg Dykes property at Alembe for many years until in around 1963 he decided it was a hopeless task and cut it up. Some bits and pieces remained and were collected to assist in the restoration of A29-133 now at the AWM. The top cowl from Reg's aircraft is on 133.

To Mgawa that photo is Gordon's yard at Weribee .