Hawker Hurricane Mk XII
Type: Fighter
First Flight: 1935
Total Production (All Marks): 14,533 +
Wingspan: 40 ft (12.19 m)
Engine: Rolls-Royce Merlin 29
Maximum Speed: 531 mph
About VWC's Hurricane:
Manufactured: 1942
Manufacturer: Canadian Car and Foundry at Fort William, Ontario
Serial Number: RCAF Serial Number 5447 C/N 46002
Current Registration: CF-TPM
Recent Markings: Hurricane LE-A of 242 RAF - Canadian Squadron
History:
The “Hurry” was a design of many firsts for the Royal Air Force. The Hurricane was the first monoplane fighter aircraft of the RAF, its first fighter with both an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear as well as the first to exceed 300 mph in level flight. While it may have been first, it proved to be an exceptional design which could be adapted to just about any role needed from a single seat aircraft, from interceptor to naval reconnaissance to ground attack.
"Willie" McKnight of 242 Squadron was the first Canadian ace and Canada's fifth-highest scoring ace of the Second World War. McKnight joined the RAF in early 1939 and served in No. 242 Squadron RAF during the final phase of the Battle of France, covering the Allied retreat from Brittany, and later the Battle of Britain. McKnight's aircraft wore a distinct cartoon of a jackboot kicking Hitler on the port side of the engine cowling. His Hurricane also carried a human skeleton image which held a sickle in its hand under the cockpit, on both sides of the aircraft. McKnight scored 17 victories, as well as two shared and three unconfirmed kills. McKnight was shot down and killed on January 12, 1941 during a fighter sweep over Calais.
The Hurricane XII project has been slowly taking shape over the past years and soon the aircraft will take to the skies. We have decided to honour this great Canadian for his spectacular but short flying career and will paint our Hurricane in his honour and in the unique markings of the 242 “Canadian” Squadron Hurricane which he flew.
Operator: Vintage Wings of Canada