Pallen, Richard Haviland (Flying Officer)

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 5419

Hurricane Mk. XII 5419

Delivered to No. 4 Training Command for No. 135 (F) Squadron at Mossbank, Saskatchewan on 5 August 1942. Category B crash due to "fuel shortage" at Eyebrow, Saskatchewan at 10:30 on 8 August 1942. To Canadian Pacific Airlines, Vancouver for repairs, 27 August to 20 November 1942. To Western Air Command when complete. With No. 135 (F) Squadron at Patricia Bay when it crashed on 30 May 1943, after being struck in flight by propeller of Hurricane 5418 of the same Squadron. Pilot Officer R.H. Pallen killed. Aircraft with this serial number reported at Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta in 2006 (probably was 5418)

1942-08-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1942-August-10 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Eyebrow Saskatchewan Names: Battleson
1942-August-10 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Eyebrow Saskatchewan Names: Battleson
1943-April-15 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Boundary Bay British Columbia Names: Wheeler
1943-May-30 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Sidney Is Names: Jackson | Pallen
1943-07-06 Struck off Strength Struck off by No. 3 Repair Depot 2019-08-20

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Hurricane 5418

Hurricane Mk. XII 5418

Delivered to No. 4 Training Command for No. 135 (F) Squadron at Mossbank, Saskatchewan on 5 August 1942. Still with this unit when it transferred to Western Air Command, and moved to RCAF Station Patricia Bay, BC on 1 October 1942. On 30 May 1943, during a formation flight, #5418 collided with #5419 cutting off its tail. #5419 plunged into the sea, 4 mi N of Sydney Island, BC. Flying Officer R.H. Pallen was killed. #5418 managed to return safely to base. Category C crash with No. 135 Sdn. on 9 July 1943. Category C crash on 25 October 1944 with No. 124 (Ferry) Squadron. To No. 8 Repair Depot for repairs 2 November 1944 to 16 February 1945. To stored reserve with No. 2 Air Command when completed. To No. 3 Repair Depot 3 to 16 April 1945 for modifications. Available for disposal with No. 2 AC from 12 July 1945, with 476:55 airframe time. With the Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta from 1973. Restored to engine runnable by December 1988.

1942-08-05 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
1943-May-30 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Sidney Is Names: Jackson | Pallen
1943-September-07 Accident: 135 Squadron Loc: Reventment Names: Hope
1944-October-24 Accident: 124 Ferry Squadron Loc: Winnipeg Manitoba Names: Clymer
1946-08-20 Struck off Strength Struck off, to War Assets Corporation for sale. 2019-08-20