IWM Duxford

After leaving the Land Warfare Building we saw a Hurricane flying and assumed it was V7497. But on examining the final photo in this collection during processing I discovered the true identity of this particular Hurricane.

This is Hurricane BE505, it was built by Canadian Car and Foundry in 1942. Initially destined for the RAF as a Hurricane I, it was diverted to the Royal Canadian Air Force and later upgraded to become a Hurricane XII. Serving latterly in the operational training role, the aircraft was struck off RCAF charge in September 1944. It was sold post-war into civilian hands, remaining largely intact if un-flown. Hawker Restorations brought the airframe to the UK, and started restoring it at their Suffolk facility in 2005. The Hangar 11 Collection acquired the Hurricane in 2007. It took to the air for its first post-restoration flight from North Weald on 27 January 2009.