Franks, Ian Harry Walker (Sergeant)

The Hawker Hurricane is a single-seat fighter aircraft of the 1930s"“1940s that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. for service with the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Hurricane developed through several versions, as bomber-interceptors, fighter-bombers, and ground support aircraft in addition to fighters. Versions designed for the Navy were popularly known as the Sea Hurricane, with modifications enabling their operation from ships. Some were converted to be used as catapult-launched convoy escorts. By the end of production in July 1944, 14,487 Hurricanes had been completed in Britain and Canada.

A major manufacturer of the Hurricane was Canadian Car and Foundry at their factory in Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ontario. The facility's chief engineer, Elsie MacGill, became known as the "Queen of the Hurricanes". The initiative was commercially led rather than governmentally, but was endorsed by the British government; Hawker, having recognized that a major conflict was all but inevitable after the Munich Crisis of 1938, drew up preliminary plans to expand Hurricane production via a new factory in Canada. Under this plan, samples, pattern aircraft, and a complete set of design documents stored on microfilm, were shipped to Canada; the RCAF ordered 20 Hurricanes to equip one fighter squadron and two more were supplied to Canadian Car and Foundry as pattern aircraft but one probably did not arrive. The first Hurricane built at Canadian Car and Foundry was officially produced in February 1940. As a result, Canadian-built Hurricanes were shipped to Britain to participate in events such as the Battle of Britain. Canadian Car and Foundry (CCF) was responsible for the production of 1,451 Hurricanes.

Sea Hurricane

While the Sea Hurricane never served in the Royal Canadian Navy, it was, ironically, operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force.  In late 1941, the RCAF found itself without any frontline fighters, having sent its earlier Hawker Hurricanes off to the UK along with 1 (Fighter) Squadron, RCAF, and was having a hard time procuring additional fighters to meet its needs.

For reasons that are still slightly unclear, the RCAF received 50 Sea Hurricanes in 1942.  It is assumed that these aircraft, built in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Canadian Car and Foundry, were to be used as part of the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Merchant Ship Fighting Unit (MSFU) based in Canada, but were diverted to the RCAF.  These Sea Hurricanes were basically a Hurricane Mk. I with a tail-hook, catapult spools, a short blunt de Havilland spinner, and an eight gun wing. Wikipedia and Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Folding Wings

The idea of adding folding wings to the Sea Hurricane was examined in 1940 but ultimately abandoned due to concerns about the aircraft's ability to accommodate the extra weight and the urgent need for next-generation aircraft. The Sea Hurricane was primarily designed as a stopgap measure for naval operations, which limited the resources available for such modifications.

Examination of the Concept

• Weight Concerns: There were significant worries about the Sea Hurricane's ability to handle the additional weight that folding wings would introduce.
• Resource Limitations: The Sea Hurricane was intended as a stopgap solution for naval operations, which meant that resources for further modifications were limited.

The Sea Hurricane was adapted from the original Hurricane design to meet the needs of naval aviation. Key modifications included:

• Strengthened Airframe: To withstand the rigors of carrier operations.
• Arrestor Hook: Essential for landing on aircraft carriers.
• Naval Equipment: Ensured functionality in maritime conditions.

While the folding wing concept was explored, the pressing demands of the war and the need for more advanced aircraft led to its dismissal. The Sea Hurricane continued to serve effectively in its modified form without the folding wings.

Hurricane

Wikipedia Hurricane

Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Hurricane - Kestrel Publications

Aircraft Images

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Hurricane 1380

Hurricane Mk. I / XIIA 1380

Diverted from RAF contract, was RAF Mk. I AG300. Delivered to stored reserve, issued on 30 April 1942. With No. 128 (F) Squadron at Dartmouth, NS in summer of 1942, coded "RA*S". Cat "B" accident on 26 Jul 1942 when the a/c had to force landed in a field 5 mi N of Sydney due to engine failure. To Canada Car & Foundry at Amherst for repairs on 5 August 1942. To Fort William from 1 February 1943, for conversion to Mk. XIIA. Back to Eastern Air Command 21 June 1943, for No. 1 Operational Training Unit at RCAF Station Bagotville, Quebec. To No. 9 Repair Depot for scrapping on 10 August 1943, following Cat "A" crash near Lac St. Jean, QC on 2 Aug 1943. During a low-level mission at 100-150 ft, the a/c failed to pull up from a shallow dive and crashed into a lake. The investigation subsequently revealed the engine failed due to fuel starvation due to pilot error in switching the fuel tanks. Flight Sergeant I.H.W. Franks was killed in the crash.

1942-02-19 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-July-26 Accident: 128 Squadron Loc: Sydney Names: Veenis
1943-August-02 Accident: 1 Operational Training Unit Loc: Lake St John Names: Franks
1944-02-26 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20