A brace of Hawker Hurricane Is, probably from HMS Argus, arrive aboard barges at the Takoradi dockside. Someone has thoughfully chalked the identity of the aircraft on the left on the wing panel. It is P3821, which served with 33 and 274 Sqns until it flew into the ground during a practice attack near Burg el Arab on March 10, 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

Hurricane Is being manhandled on Takoradi dockside. A long ferry flight lay ahead for them.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

This Hurricane I, V7344, seen being lifted from a barge at Takoradi, went to 33 Sqn and was struck off charge on May 26, 1941.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

A Hurricane equipped with long-range tanks sits on a Middle East airfield. Note the number painted aft of the fuselage roundel, and the white rear fuselage top-decking. It is believed that the machines being ferried were allocated temporary Flight numbers, and that the white paint was applied to the fuselage and the upper surface of the tailplane to facilitate location of the aircraft in the event of a forced landing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

From barge to ferry-flight: a Hurricane takes the wartime Takoradi Route

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935

This Bristol Blenheim displaying a rather worn-looking finish carries the identity “3” on its rear fuselage, and its rear top-decking and tailplane upper surface are white.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Blenheim IV / Bolingbroke - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Fairey Fulmar N4005 displays the number 5. This aircraft was with No 1 Test Flight, Takoradi, until May 1941. It then went to Dekheila, where it suffered an accident in June 1942, ending up in the Royal Navy Aircraft Repair Yard at Fayid.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Fairey Fulmar / P.4/34 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1937

Although it was unpopular as a transporter of pilots for the return trip to Takoradi, the Bristol Bombay did its share of the work, as “almost any aircraft” was pressed into service.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Bristol Bombay / Type 130 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935