two-seater Hurricane

2 seater Hurricanes

Updated on September 24, 2009

Here is a brief collection of what we have found on the web about two-seater Hurricanes. Any suggestion, further document or useful criticism are welcome. Thanks to all those that, posting on many forums, have indirectly contributed to this small page.

Trainer conversion in Soviet Union

Because of the relatively big number of Hurricanes in VVS SF special two-seater training Hurricanes were considered necessary, and 10 aircraft were modified with a second cockpit and double command. In order to save weight eight of the twelve machine guns, the armoured seat back of the pilot etc. were dismounted.
According to C.F.Geust, several two-seater Hurricanes were also used at the Glider Aviation School of Red Army Paratroop Forces (VAPSh VDV KA) in Saratov for towing Antonov A-7 and G-11 transport gliders, and a number of operational sorties were also performed.

This image shows a line of two-seater Hurricanes.

The first of the line is White 5; it wears a standard camo (probably grey-green, in consideration that the undersurfaces look too dark to be painted with Sky). We can see a light grey repainting on the top of the tail, and a small red star (perhaps uncomplete) on the rudder.
The spinner could be sky and red, and some white rectangle appears on the rudder. Probably there is a red star on the fuselage. It's not clear if the original British codes are still painted on the fuselage sides.

The second plane features white-painted rear fuselage and wings, and perhaps some white mottling on the nose over a probably standard camo; the spinner looks black.

Spot plane conversion and other ones in Soviet Union

A number of two-seaters were also used without double command for courier purposes, and one two-seater was further modified as "ambulance" aircraft and used by 10 AE VVS SF.

Red Stars, of C-F-Geust and G.Petrov, ed. Opali
This one, BW945, was an Hurricane MkXI B modified into a artillery spot plane.
Note the machine gun on the rear (a Degtyarev DA?), the crudely cutten keel to give a view downwards to the operator, the small radio mast on the rudder; (a wire aerial seems to arrive just behind the second place).

The dark triangle on the wheel cover was likely a trace of oil from the engine.

The plane was probably wearing the original grey-green camo, possibly with some green or grey repainting creating a sort of new 3-shade camouflage.

Meteorological reconaissance Hurricanes in Soviet Union

According to V. Kotelnikov, disarmed Hurricanes were converted into meteorological reconnaissance airplanes after the war for the Main Directorate of Hydro-Meteorological Service (GUGMS) departmental air service. Their Hurricanes were marked with the fuselage codes starting with letter "M". More than 150 planes were transferred to this service. For this purpose the planes were equipped with special equipment. To make fling through the clouds easier, some planes were equipped with radio-compasses. Photography was usually done by two-seaters - former trainers.
The use of these planes ceased in early 1950, after the number was reduced to 10 due to accidents and failures.

This image, from "Hurricane in Foreign Service" by Miroslaw Wawrzynsk, shows a two seater with antenas on the wings; according to the source, the photo was probably taken in 1946, so it's likely a meteo reconaissance plane of the GUGMS.
It looks like a MkIIC with only two cannons, According to some hypothesis, they could be simple supports for the antenna and other scientific equipments.
The paint scheme looks very weathered white over the remains of a British camouflage (brown/green?), with black fuselage undersurface, white/black underwing roots and wings from another plane (possibly with grey/green base camo and grey undersurfaces).

A British field conversion

This Hurricane is LB640, which was being operated as a target-tug with the P-39-equipped 346th Fighter Squadron (FS), 350th Fighter Group (FG) of USAAF in Sardinia in early 1944.
It was converted into a two-seater as a liaison plane by the unit's crew.
Two further Hurricanes were converted to two-seaters, flying with the 345th and 347th FSs, and operated for more than a year.

Two-seater conversion for Iran

Images from Hurricane in Foreign Service by Miroslaw Wawrzynski

Some Hurricanes were conveted into two-seaters and supplied to Iran in 1947. Two configurations for the rear cockpit are known: open with an apposite windshield, and with enclosed rear cockpit.

Credits: thanks to Plator Kalakulla, Martin Lucero and Konstantin Lesnikov for their help.

References:

Red Stars, of C-F-Geust and G.Petrov, ed. Opali

Hurricane in Foreign Service by Miroslaw Wawrzynski

Aeroplane Monthly - June 2001

http://pub47.ezboard.com/fallboutwarfarefrm1

http://pub131.ezboard.com/fallboutwarfarefrm31

http://www.airwarfareforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6689&start=30&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight

http://www.modelingmadness.com/reviews/allies/gb/bakerh2.htm

http://www.airwarfareforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=7020&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

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	This image shows a line of two-seater Hurricanes.
	The first of the line is White 5; it wears a standard camo (probably grey-green, in consideration that the undersurfaces look too dark to be painted with Sky). We can see a light grey repainting on the top of the tail, and a small red star (perhaps uncomplete) on the rudder. The spinner could be sky and red, and some white rectangle appears on the rudder. Probably there is a red star on the fuselage. It's not clear if the original British codes are still painted on the fuselage sides.
	The second plane features white-painted rear fuselage and wings, and perhaps some white mottling on the nose over a probably standard camo; the spinner looks black.