FlyPast – August 2018

HAWKER HURRICANE 100 YEARS OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE

August 2018 FLYPAST 37

went missing during a fight with a
Spitfire and was seen to crash into
the English Channel. His command
of IV Gruppe of JG 51 had lasted
about a week.

REMNANTS
Ron Marsh never forgot that day in

1941. Helped by a group of friends,
      he excavated the site of Holmwood’s
      Hurricane in 1976. It was a difficult
      recovery, as Z2354 had crashed into
      a slope in chalky downland.
      The remains were taken to Ron’s
      home and kept in an out-building
      for many years. Occasionally items
      were displayed at local events, before
      being handed over on permanent
      loan to the Brenzett Aeronautical
      Museum Trust – recently renamed
      the Romney Marsh Wartime
      Collection – where the remnants are
      proudly displayed.
      The base of the Barr and Stroud
      gunsight from Foxley-Norris’

Hurricane, Z2754, was presented

to Ron, who had it mounted and

put on display at his home. The

aircraft’s propeller hub buried itself

in the Kentish soil near Ittinge Farm

and was recovered by Jim Peres of

the nearby Holt Farm before being

donated to the Romney Marsh

Wartime Collection.

“‘We loved our CO. He was a great Francophile and often took our

part! His frightful death, not in combat, is upsetting everyone.

Three planes lost without anyone seeing a thing’”

Left

The excavation of

Hurricane Z2354 in

1976. RON MARSH

Below

The propeller hub

of Hurricane Z2354,

now on display at

the Romney Marsh

Wartime Collection.

RON MARSH

Above left

Retrieving the

propeller hub of

Z2354 in 1976.

Left

Wg Cdr R A

Holmwood’s grave

at St Luke’s Church,

Whyteleafe, not far

from Kenley.

Left centre

The remarkably

intact tail wheel of

Hurricane Z2354.

ALL VIA AUTHOR

UNLESS NOTED