Battle of France veteran fighter refinished in Duxford-based Czechoslovak squadron markings
In the Hawker Restorations workshop at Elmsett, Suffolk, Battle of France veteran Hawker Hurricane I P3351 is being refurbished and repainted into a No 310 (Czechoslovak) Squadron scheme following its acquisition by the Letecké Muzeum Tocná, an association of historic aircraft owners based at Prague’s Tocná Airport. Previously operated by Jan Roozen from Cannes-Mandelieu Airport as F-AZXR, the fighter has been acquired by the Czech group as a replacement for Hurricane IV OO-HUR, which crashed during an air display at Cheb in the far east of the Czech Republic, on 14 August 2022.
The Hurricane now wears the markings of Hurricane I P3143/NN-D, flown by Sgt Bohumír Fürst from Duxford during September 1940. P3143 was flown by several Czech pilots between 24 July and 16 October 1940, and is said to have shot down two Messerschmitt Bf 110s, a Bf 109 E, Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17Z and a Junkers Ju 88 A. Fürst was credited with a Bf 110, Bf 109 and He 111. Formed at Duxford on 10 July 1940, 310 was the first squadron to be raised with pilots who were foreign nationals, under the joint command of Sqn Ldr Douglas Blackwood and Czech pilot Alexander Hess. The unit claimed 37.5 victories flying with No 12 Group during the Battle of Britain.
On 16 December, Michal Masar, the PR manager and event co-ordinator at the Letecké Muzeum Tocná, said, “The fuselage of the Hurricane is already fitted with a Merlin 35 and the first engine runs are expected in January. The restoration should be completed during the first part of 2024.”
