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It’s a rare treat to see a Hurricane roaring through the skies. Thousands were built, but only a handful of airworthy examples of the Second World War fighter remain.
However, now enthusiasts can not only see one in flight, they can sit in a second Hurricane – the world’s only remaining two-seater example – and fly alongside it.
The experience is being offered by a firm based at White Waltham Airfield in Berkshire. Hurricane Heritage founder James Brown, 51, said it was ‘absolutely thrilling’ to have another Hurricane ‘appear on your wing 50ft away’. The single-seater, R4118, is the only remaining Hurricane to have taken part in the Battle of Britain in 1940. It shot down five German aircraft. The two-seater, BE505, dates from 1942.
Aviation fans have the opportunity to take to the skies in a two-seat Hawker Hurricane from White Waltham in Berkshire
The single-seater, R4118, is the only remaining Hurricane to have taken part in the Battle of Britain in 1940. It shot down five German aircraft. The two-seater, BE505, dates from 1942
This 1942 Hawker Hurricane has two seats allowing it to carry a passenger. It saw action over Dieppe before being taken out service in 1944
Of the 14,487 Hurricanes built from 1937 to 1944, 17 remain airworthy. It was the main UK fighter in the Battle of Britain, destroying more enemy aircraft than the Spitfire.
The Hawker Hurricane experience costs from £3,875 for 30 minutes in the air.
Hurricane Heritage founder James Brown said: ‘Most people have never flown in an aircraft where you have another one alongside you. But it’s also very rare to have a second Hawker Hurricane.
‘We’ve only been able to offer it to a couple of people so far but they have been blown away. To have one appear on your wing 50ft away is absolutely thrilling.’
The converted two-seater was built in 1942 and saw action over Dieppe before being taken out of service in 1944.
It has dual controls, allowing the passenger to take charge of its Merlin engine.
Hurricane Heritage founder James Brown said: ‘Most people have never flown in an aircraft where you have another one alongside you. But it’s also very rare to have a second Hawker Hurricane
Civilians rarely get the opportunity to fly in formation with a historic fighter, such as the Hawker Hurricane which was the most effective aircraft during the Battle of Britain
Software entrepreneur Mr Brown, 51, said the Spitfire stirred emotions more than any other Second World War plane for a variety of reasons, including its ‘undeniable beauty’.
‘Spitfire Funds’ to raise money for vital aircraft during the war also embedded the name in the national consciousness.
But he added: ‘The Hurricane is what saved us really. They were more numerous than the Spitfire and easier to repair.
‘Without the Hurricane, the outcome of the Battle of Britain would have been different.’
A total of 14,487 Hurricanes were built in Britain and Canada between 1937 and 1944, with variants including bomber-interceptors, fighter-bombers and ground support aircraft, as well as fighters.
They inflicted 60 per cent of Luftwaffe losses in the Battle of Britain and took part in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
Just over 20,000 Spitfires were built over a longer period, stretching from 1938 to 1948.
The Hawker Hurricane, pictured, was produced in greater numbers than the Supermarine Spitfire
More than 14,000 Hurricanes were produced between 1937 and 1944, making it a crucial weapon in the defence of Britain
These Hawker Hurricanes were photographed in flight formation above RAF Northolt in 1940. It was designed by Sydney Camm and was the first monoplane capable of exceeding 300mph
Source: dailymail
