Celebration of a magnificent man and his flying machine

A REPLICA of the Hawker Hurricane, which played a pivotal role in the Battle of Britain, will feature in a tribute to the aircraft’s designer Sir Sydney Camm.

Yorkshire Air Museum is loaning the full-size replica to Windsor Castle, where it will form the centrepiece of a display to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

The Windsor Tattoo, which runs from May 12 to 15, will also promote a campaign by Sir Sydney’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Dickson, to establish a scholarship fund to mark his achievements.

Sir Sydney was one of Hawker’s most prolific designers. At one time during the 1930s, eight out of 10 RAF aircraft were designed by him, including the Hawker Hart, Hind and Fury. He designed the Hurricane in 1934.

However, despite being described as the “Isambard Kingdom Brunel of aeronautical engineering”, Camm’s contribution has not received the recognition that many people believe he deserves.

Ms Dickson describes her grandfather as quiet and reserved, not given to “blowing his own trumpet”, and says he had to be persuaded to accept his knighthood.

Sir Sydney, who was born in Windsor and joined Hawker in 1923, became the pioneer of vertical take off and landing jet flight with the revolutionary Hawker Harrier, still in service more than 40 years after his death in 1966.

The Harrier became famous for its impressive role during the Falklands War. An example of the aircraft can be seen at the Yorkshire Air Museum on the former Second World War bomber base at Elvington, near York.

Museum director Ian Reed said: “We are very proud to have been invited to support the Windsor Tattoo and bring our Hawker Hurricane to Sir Sydney Camm’s home town.”