Fly Past

NEWS THE LATEST IN AVIATION HERITAGE

6 FLYPAST November 2018

Battle of Britain Hurricane fl ies again

Hawker Hurricane Mk.I V

(G-HRLI) made its fi rst fl ight

since 1940 on August 30 from

Elmsett, Suffolk, following work by

Hawker Restorations. Experienced

Hurricane pilot Stu Goldspink was

at the controls for the successful,

20-minute debut.

The aircraft – a veteran of the Battle

of Britain – was shot down over Kent by

a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fl own by Gustav

Sprick on September 28, 1940. The

British machine’s pilot, Plt Off Everett

Rogers, baled out and survived. More

information about V7497’s history can

be found at: http://www.hurricane501.co.uk

Today the aircraft is under joint

ownership, with a 50% share belonging

to Peter Kirkpatrick. Commenting on

the fi rst fl ight, Peter said: “This

was both a very exciting and

somewhat emotional day for myself

and my better half, Leisha. We

have seen V7497 evolve so much

over the past four years. When

we joined the project, there was a

rudimentary fuselage and tail piece.

The engineering effort at Hawker

Restorations has been spectacular,

and although I had some anxieties

about fi rst fl ight day, she fl ew

beautifully with Stu taking her up to

330mph on the second test day with

barely a drop of oil being spilt.

“The next challenge is to fl y

V7497 myself – without bending her.

That is probably when my anxiety

levels will increase somewhat! I’m

busy gathering Harvard T.6 time in

preparation.”

The aircraft will be based at

Duxford, and a quarter share in

ownership is still available. Serious

inquiries should be made to Andrew

Wenman at Hawker Restorations

on 01473 828707 or Andrew@

hawkerrestorations.co.uk

DARREN HARBAR

Stu Goldspink fl ying Hurricane Mk.I V

on August 30. DARREN HARBAR

Lysander makes fi rst

post-restoration fl ight

The Aircraft Restoration Company’s

Westland Lysander Mk.IIIA V

(G-CCON) made its fi rst fl ight on

August 28, following 14 years of

meticulous work from the Duxford-

based ARC team.

The machine’s Bristol

Mercury engine burst into

life for the fi rst time on August 8,

and following further trials and some

fi nishing touches – in the form of

red wheel covers – the Lysander

was airborne 20 days later. ARC

boss John Romain was at the

controls for the 1939-built aircraft’s

successful fl ight. Painted in 225

Squadron colours, it made its public

debut at this year’s Goodwood

Revival on September 7 to 9. http://www.

aircraftrestorationcompany.com

Above

Westland Lysander Mk.IIIA V9312 making its

fi rst post-restoration fl ight on August 28.

BOTH GEORGE ROMAIN

Right

John Romain in the Lysander’s cockpit.