Second World War Hurricane set to fly in to Blackpool Airport

Blackpool Airport is to see a VIP visitor winging its way in this month - a genuine Second World War Hurricane fighter.
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The 1942 aircraft, painted in the colours of the famous 303 Polish Squadron which fought in the Battle of Britain, will be visiting the Hangar 42 aviation museum from September 11 to 16.

It is part of the Polish Heritage Flight from the Historic Aircraft Collection based at Duxford Airfield near Cambridge.

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And its pilot will be Dave Harvey from Lytham who has flown the aircraft across Europe to various air displays and recently in a film made in Poland about their brave fighter pilots who came to Britain to fight against the Nazis.

Dave Harvey is to fly a 1942 Hurricane painted in Polish colours to Blackpool Airport this month. Photo by Darren HarbarDave Harvey is to fly a 1942 Hurricane painted in Polish colours to Blackpool Airport this month. Photo by Darren Harbar
Dave Harvey is to fly a 1942 Hurricane painted in Polish colours to Blackpool Airport this month. Photo by Darren Harbar

Dave, a former RAF pilot on Phantoms, Tornadoes and Hawks spent three years at Warton before honing his skills flying a range of display aircraft.

Dave said : “The Polish Heritage Flight came about as a tribute to the part played by Polish airmen in 1940 and beyond.

“Our Hurricane is finished in the markings of 303 Squadron and starred in the recent film of the same name.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to fly it.”

The aircraft will be available for photographers in special exclusive sessions and to the public visiting the aviation museum at Blackpool AirportThe aircraft will be available for photographers in special exclusive sessions and to the public visiting the aviation museum at Blackpool Airport
The aircraft will be available for photographers in special exclusive sessions and to the public visiting the aviation museum at Blackpool Airport
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Most of the Polish pilots operating from Britain during the war were sent to Blackpool for training before being assigned to combat squadrons such as 303.

John Coombes from Hangar 42 said they were delighted to be able to welcome this historic aircraft.

He said: “This original WW2 Hurricane has a wartime provenance that is enviable.

“We are thrilled to announce that Lancashire residents will have a unique opportunity to to see this Hawker Hurricane.”

It is painted in the colours of 303 Sqaudron which fought in the Battle of Britain and many of whose pilots would have trained at Blackpool before becoming operational.
Photo by Darren HarbarIt is painted in the colours of 303 Sqaudron which fought in the Battle of Britain and many of whose pilots would have trained at Blackpool before becoming operational.
Photo by Darren Harbar
It is painted in the colours of 303 Sqaudron which fought in the Battle of Britain and many of whose pilots would have trained at Blackpool before becoming operational. Photo by Darren Harbar
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The museum has had to cancel much of its wartime events but has been open to the public through August and one of its Spitfire replicas is now on display in Gynn Square.

John Coombes said: "We have worked alongside the Blackpool Lightworks Team to provide “Holly” our Mark Vb Spitfire, which the Lightworks Team has now helped repair and repaint to depict the Blackpool Spitfire, Progress II, as purchased by the Tramways Corporation in 1941.

"This display at the heart of the Illuminations has the potential to significantly help the Blackpool Spitfire Museum cause and raise awareness of our projects, if we can quickly develop the Advertising and Communications at the site, so people can make the link between Gynn Square and Blackpool Airport."

Ticket details fro the Hurricane sessions can be found on the museum's Facebook site https://www.facebook.com/BlackpoolAirportHangar42

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