Surviving war and
time, a Canadian flyer that's roamed the skies for 70 years -- losing
some heritage along the way -- is about to find a new home.
But it would take top dollar to get the veteran back to the place it first protected.
A
rare Hawker Hurricane fighter aircraft that flew along Canada's East
Coast during the Second World War -- possibly helping to protect convoys
from German U-boats -- is going up for auction and bids could reach a
lofty $2.6 million.
Sholto Gilbertson, with the London,
England-based Bonhams auctioneers, which is selling off the Hurricane Mk
XIIa 5711 -- fully equipped with 12 Browning .303 machine guns -- said
little is known of how the now fully restored fighter spent the war.
Built
in 1942, it could have been used as a trainer for Royal Canadian Air
Force (RCAF) pilots in Nova Scotia, or may have seen action during
patrols over the Atlantic coast.
But what is known is the iconic monoplane Hurricanes, which protected London during the Battle of Britain, are disappearing.
"They are very rare with only a handful flying worldwide," Gilbertson said.
Back
in 1947, after its service with the RCAF, a Canadian syndicate out of
Saskatchewan bought it. Then in 1989, it was restored for flight, before
being bought by a British vintage aircraft agency in 2002.
In
2005, it became the first Hurricane to return to the Mediterranean
island of Malta since the Second World War and flew in Russia this year
for President Vladimir Putin.
But time has robbed the Canadian flyer of some of its citizenship.
Gone
is the original Canadian paint scheme, replaced by Battle of Britain
colours, and much of its auction legend is of how Hurricanes secured
U.K. skies.
The warbird now waits for the December auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England.
Among
those who would like to see it back home is David Rohrer, CEO of the
Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, near Hamilton, Ont.
In 1993, the museum lost its own Hurricane in a fire.
There's only one other known version, located in Quebec, that's still flying in Canada.
"There
aren't many of them left with a Canadian history," said Rohrer, who's
looking at putting together a possible consortium bid.
"It would be a tremendous aircraft to have back in Canada."
If
that happens, our lost Hurricane would likely stay here. Designated as
cultural property, it would be restricted from being lost again.
Source: http://www.chathamdailynews.ca
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