Hurricane XII Flies Again

[Dave Hadfield]

I’m the most recent link in a restoration chain that goes back 50 years.

Magnificent work by Vintech Aero and the Vintage Wings of Canada team at Gatineau. Kudos to Saskatchewan farmer Harry Whereatt who began this.

Mike Potter’s vision takes flight again.

https://www.vintagewings.ca/stories/fir ... the-reaper

Last edited by Dave Hadfield on Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[kalamazookid]

Congratulations to all involved! Excellent write-up and photography. I look forward to seeing the Hurricane firsthand.

[DH82EH]

Congratulations to you and the whole team Dave.
A wonderful milestone!

Andy

[JohnTerrell]

Congratulations, Dave, and to everyone who has been involved with the restoration! I'm really looking forward to seeing one of your helmet cam videos, flying the Hurricane, if you decide to do one.

Quite amazing to consider just how few Hawker Hurricanes there were, flying in the world, really not all that long ago, with now as many as 18 that can be considered airworthy.

[Dave Hadfield]

Thanks!

Yes, I'm editing a video now, although from a spectator point of view it wasn't that interesting -- which is precisely what we were aiming for!

On a test flight, boring is the goal.

Dave

[Lynn Allen]

Thanks!

Yes, I'm editing a video now, although from a spectator point of view it wasn't that interesting -- which is precisely what we were aiming for!

On a test flight, boring is the goal.

Dave

Well done Dave, I would like to ask about the Canadian N#. I have always seen it as C-FTPM but I noticed the CF-TPM. Why is that? Thank you for your time.

Lynn

[Dan Jones]

It's probably too early for you to say Dave, but is there much of a performance difference between the Rotol and the Ham Standard props on the Hurricane?

[Zac Yates]

As I said elsewhere, brilliant stuff Dave, I hope your helmetcam footage is made available as it would be fascinating to watch. How wonderful to get such an in-depth look not just at the history represented but also the preparation, and execution, of the initial test flight. Bravo to everyone involved in this wonderful endeavour!

[Sopwith]

Fantastic stuff Dave, congratulations to all. I would just like to ask if those antiglare strikes are at all offputting in the flare when you are landing only in one of the airborne shots they seem to obscure a bit of visibility, unless that was camera angle. Thanks.

[DH82EH]

Thanks!

Yes, I'm editing a video now, although from a spectator point of view it wasn't that interesting -- which is precisely what we were aiming for!

On a test flight, boring is the goal.

Dave

Well done Dave, I would like to ask about the Canadian N#. I have always seen it as C-FTPM but I noticed the CF-TPM. Why is that? Thank you for your time.

Lynn

Hi Lynn.
The civil registration for historic Canadian aircraft can be displayed the way you describe. My 1940 Tiger Moth is CF-MAD and our 1956 Chipmunk is CF-LBT.
Modern aircraft will display C-FABC or C-GABC.

Andy

[Brenden S]

Great work to all involved.

[bdk]

That photo is stunning!

[Dave Hadfield]

It's probably too early for you to say Dave, but is there much of a performance difference between the Rotol and the Ham Standard props on the Hurricane?

Yes it's too early. We're still arranging the RPM pitch-stops and control-range, which have a different arrangement than the other Merlins-in-fighters.

But the Hurri IV we had wasn't stock even though it had a Rotol prop. It had a -500 engine, with USA-style controls such as Auto-Rich and Idle Cut-Off. This Mk XII has a correct Merlin 29, and the original controls and linkages.

It's an extremely authentic airframe. It has a lot of Canadian bits-and-bobs that the Brit ones didn't.

[Dave Hadfield]

That photo is stunning!

It is, right?

What's delicious about the photo is that it was taken by the man who led the restoration, Pat Tenger. He's the one with the most DNA in the aeroplane, yet was in the front seat of the Extra to observe, and is artist enough to get that picture.