Peter Vacher - Hurricane R4118 The Extraordinary Story of the Discovery and Restoration of a Battle of Britain Survivor

S O many old friends have helped with the rescue of R4118, but it has also proved an opportunity to make new ones. Enthusiasts from all over the world have offered advice and guidance. To each and every one, thank you.

The responsibility for the discovery of R4118 lies squarely with John Fasal. Without his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for all things Indian, the day when we first set eyes on that dilapidated British aircraft would not have dawned. He joined me on six subsequent visits and was untiring in his encouragement when it seemed we would never rescue this historic machine. I remember the sweat pouring off him as we battled to load the aeroplane in the heat of that Indian summer a good friend indeed.

My research was prompted by Hugh Smallwood, who introduced me to the intricacies of the Public Record Office and the library at the RAF Museum at Hendon. These in turn led to my interviewing pilots who had flown R4118 in the Battle of Britain. Bunny Currant, Bob Foster, Alec Ingle, Archie Milne and Peter Thompson all patiently put up with my questions whilst a tape recorder ran. Their memories and log books filled in gaps in the history of R4118, and provided an insight into the conditions that had made them such characters. My especial thanks go to Bunny who, at the age of 93, not only has amazing powers of recall, but continues to relate amusing, mostly breathtaking, stories of his time in the RAF. It has been a pleasure meeting and corresponding with the families of Skid Hanes and Denis Winton who flew the aircraft with Treble One Squadron, and also with F J Palmer who famously hit the lorry on the runway.

Bill Bishop hails from Australia, regularly flying a Qantas 747 to London. Yet he seems to have been working full time on the project. When not dismantling the airframe, he has browsed the web from his hotel bedrooms around the world looking for parts and information. Back home he has built models of R4118 to ensure every detail on the real thing is completed accurately, especially the colour scheme and markings. He has even organised down under the manufacture of some parts. Another Qantas captain, Ross Kelly, has spent his time in the UK helping whenever possible.

Armed with his video camera, Roy Noble has faithfully recorded the Hurricane as found in India, and then on, week by week, as the stripping and rebuild have progressed. Apprenticed at De Havilland, Roy has been equally at home taking the aircraft apart as well as helping in countless other ways. From all that has happened, Roy has made various films which brilliantly capture the story of our great survivor.

Working with Bill, Ross, Roy and myself has been Roger Andrews. Roger, the most patient, uncomplaining of people, has spent days, no, weeks chipping away at corroded parts to enable their reuse or for patterns. Condemned for hours to the noisy, hot blasting room, we only let him out for the occasional piece of bread and water, then sent him home for a good bath! Robert Benson, our local farmer, spent hours loading and unloading lumps of aircraft and engine with his remarkable Sanderson. What a wonderful group of friends.