Believe it or not… Prang solved…

Research by Lee Walsh

I finally solved the mystery, with a lot of help, and the identity of this crashed Hawker Hurricane and who was flying it. Turns out one of Harold’s squadron mates, Henry Penner was flying it and where March 24^th 1943 got into trouble.

On his downwind leg and turning into final at RCAF station Dartmouth he realized he was entirely on his reserve tank and had 5gals of fuel left before touch down. He went for landing and coming in on final approach the engine stopped at 300 feet and he stuffed Hurricane 5669 into the bushes, the tail broke off; the prop was found 30ft in front of the wreckage, the left/port wing was torn off and found 75ft away. His commanding officer upon inspection found the wings tanks completely full and reserve tank empty – I saw a note stating this pilot should know better and perhaps a better vocation is found for him.

I attached 2 over exposed photos found in the crash report that is online now and they appear to match.

Lee

Believe it or not story… Hurricane 2-T

Research by Lee Walsh

My dad use to tell me that is a reason for everything, and what comes around eventually goes around.

Well after 20+ years of searching I think we have uncovered a rare photo of No. 129 Hawker Hurricane “2-T” serial number 5667 that was blown over on July 23, 1942 up at Goose Bay. I spent hours last night pouring over RCAF records and nearly gave up but had a hunch on this one serial number for some reason and did some digging. The dates I found were wrong and with some more digging found this:

July 28th, 1943 No. 129 Squadron RCAF Labrador Microfilm Reel: C-12254

Hurricane XIIB no. 5667 nosed over as result of sudden gust of wind (35-40 mph). This accident which took place while the aircraft was being taxied to the hanger was classified “D” crash. Only damage to the prop. The pilot R.114163 F/Sgt O.K. Morgan was uninjured.

July 28th, 1943 RCAF Station Goose Bay, Labrador Microfilm Reel C-12188

Cloudy with High Winds. Winds reached a velocity of 45mph and in the am causing sand storms and caused Hurricane 5667 to be blown off runway whilst taxing sending it upon it’s nose. Only damage was slightly bent prop and no injury to pilot.

20 years ago when I was working at the Ontario Science Centre I recall having 1-2 phone conversations with a Gerry Yagen down in Virginia and runs and owns the Military Aviation Museum. He owns a Cdn Built Hawker Hurricane and was eagerly trying to find a war-time photo of the Hurricane he owns, restored and has flying down there. I told Gerry the likelihood of find one photo of the 1500+ built and used by the RCAF would be nearly impossible. For his Hurricane maybe a lot less as it was used for the Victory Bond Drive in Ottawa during the War and maybe I could find something. I just found the email and cannot believe how long ago that was.

Here is a link for that very same aircraft:

https://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/aircraft/hawker-hurricane-mk-xii/

I would have to ask around on how this aircraft left the RCAF after the war and who acquired it but the attached phone might explain it. A farmer out in Alberta named Harry Wheareatt may have secured this from War Assets and eventually sold it to US buyers in the 70s/80s/90s and now Gerry flys her.

I remember him telling me how bad he and is research team would looking for a photo of her, and hear Harold snapped a picture that day. Gerry is going to be beside himself and trying to get in touch with him……

Crazy!

Lee