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Courtesy of James Higham at Nourishing Obscurity, I came across this touching video. It seems there’s only one surviving airworthy Hawker Hurricane fighter from the Battle of Britain in 1940. The mechanic who worked on that aircraft during the Battle is still alive, at 102 years of age, and was recently reunited with the plane.
A WWII RAF veteran had the chance to fly alongside the aircraft he helped maintain during the heroic Battle of Britain in 1940.
Jeff Brereton, who celebrated his 102nd birthday earlier this year, took to the air in BE505, the world’s only two seat Hurricane, with R4118, the only remaining airworthy Mk 1 Hurricane to have taken part in the Battle of Britain, and the aircraft Jeff worked on, flying alongside.
Jeff, who lives in Evesham, Worcestershire, said: “I have great memories of the plane. Of all the aircraft I dealt with, that was the one that stuck in my mind. It was unbelievable to be able to see that aircraft again, that it had survived.”
There’s more at the link.
Here’s a video report, including mid-air images.
I found the story particularly moving because my father was also an aircraft mechanic during the Battle of Britain. I wrote about his World War II service some years ago.
It’s nice to come across a good news story like this in our turbulent, not-so-good world.
Peter
Bayou Renaissance Man