A new exhibition at IWM Duxford this winter will unite half the world's airworthy Hurricanes under one roof.

A celebration of the Second World War’s most hard-working fighter aircraft, the Hurricane, opens to visitors in December.

In a second opening, IWM Duxford's Conservation in Action hangar will welcome the public back through its doors after eight months of closure.

Visitors to the Cambridgeshire museum can meet members of IWM’s Conservation Team as they set to work on new restoration projects and get up close to seven airworthy Hurricanes, brought together under one roof for the first time.

Royston Crow: Loading the bombs on a Hurricane aircraft during the Second World War.Loading the bombs on a Hurricane aircraft during the Second World War. (Image: IWM)

After the success of last year’s Spitfire: Evolution of an Icon, this December will see the Hawker Hurricane take centre stage with the opening of Hurricane: Unsung Hero in the Conservation Hall in AirSpace on December 27, 2022.

With only 14 airworthy Hurricanes remaining in the world, this spotlight exhibition will offer a unique opportunity to see seven of these warbirds brought together to explore the rich history of fighter command’s finest enemy destroyer.

Royston Crow: Archive image of four untropicalised Hurricane Mark Is, T9530, W9320, W9349 and Z4095, in port echelon formation during a test flight from Abu Sueir, after arriving in Egypt via the West African Air Reinforcement Route from Takoradi, Gold Coast.Archive image of four untropicalised Hurricane Mark Is, T9530, W9320, W9349 and Z4095, in port echelon formation during a test flight from Abu Sueir, after arriving in Egypt via the West African Air Reinforcement Route from Takoradi, Gold Coast. (Image: IWM)

Often overlooked in favour of the Spitfire, the Hurricane accounted for around 60 per cent of air victories in the Battle of Britain.

Highlights of this new exhibition include a Hurricane Mk1 veteran from the summer of 1940, the world’s only two-seater Hurricane, and a Sea Hurricane Mk1b which was received by No 880 Squadron, the first Fleet Air Arm Squadron to be equipped with Hurricanes.

Royston Crow: The world’s only two-seater Hurricane which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford.The world’s only two-seater Hurricane which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford. (Image: IWM)

Rebecca Harding, head of technological objects at IWM Duxford, said: “With its impressive service history and distinctive appearance, the Hawker Hurricane is a true legend of aviation which revolutionised aerial combat during the Second World War.

"This winter, IWM Duxford will shine the spotlight on its historical significance and design and give visitors the unique chance to see seven airworthy variations up close to better understand why this famous fighter deserves such a prominent place in history.”

Hurricane: Unsung Hero will be open to general admission visitors to IWM Duxford from December 27, 2022 to February 19, 2023, with associated events and activities taking place throughout.

Royston Crow: Sea Hurricane Mk Ib Z7015 G-BKTH which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford.Sea Hurricane Mk Ib Z7015 G-BKTH which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford. (Image: IWM)

Following an extensive refurbishment, the doors to IWM Duxford’s Conservation in Action hangar will reopen from Thursday, November 17.

The reopening will enable visitors to see the Duxford museum’s dedicated team of conservation staff and volunteers work to safeguard the history of the museum large objects for future generations to enjoy.

Royston Crow: Archive image of a Crusader II tank (christened 'Vidi') of the 4th Light Armoured Brigade in the Western Desert, 20 September 1942. IWM’s Crusader II will now be on display in the Conservation In Action hangar.Archive image of a Crusader II tank (christened 'Vidi') of the 4th Light Armoured Brigade in the Western Desert, 20 September 1942. IWM’s Crusader II will now be on display in the Conservation In Action hangar. (Image: IWM)

Work will be taking place on a number of objects which have never been seen on display before, including a World War Two Crusader II Cruiser Tank, the only one to be displayed in Europe, and a Staghound Armoured Vehicle believed to have served with the Free Belgian forces in Normandy in 1944.

Royston Crow: Archive image of a Staghound (M6) armoured car photographed by the War Office in 1943. IWM’s example will be restored in the Conservation In Action hangar.Archive image of a Staghound (M6) armoured car photographed by the War Office in 1943. IWM’s example will be restored in the Conservation In Action hangar. (Image: IWM)

Other restoration projects include an Avro Shackleton, a British post-war maritime patrol aircraft used extensively during the Cold War, and a German Second World War jet-powered Heinkel He 162 A-1, the only known complete surviving A-1 variant of this type.

Royston Crow: Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF707 of No 206 Squadron flying over the north coast of Cornwall near its home station of RAF St Mawgan in 1964. IWM’s example, XF708, will be displayed in the Conservation In Action hangar.Avro Shackleton MR.3 XF707 of No 206 Squadron flying over the north coast of Cornwall near its home station of RAF St Mawgan in 1964. IWM’s example, XF708, will be displayed in the Conservation In Action hangar. (Image: IWM)

A Jagdpanther self-propelled anti-tank gun, one of only seven surviving in the world and the only one in the UK to have seen operational service during the war, will also be there.

Royston Crow: Archive image of British troops examining a captured Jagpanther tank destroyer.Archive image of British troops examining a captured Jagpanther tank destroyer. (Image: IWM)

In addition to these large objects, there will also be an engine display with photos and archival film footage about some of the engines featured.

Visitors can see live conservation works taking place from 10am to 3pm every Monday to Friday.

Royston Crow: IWM’s large object conservation team prepare IWM’s Crusader II to move to the Conservation In Action hangar ahead of restoration.IWM’s large object conservation team prepare IWM’s Crusader II to move to the Conservation In Action hangar ahead of restoration. (Image: IWM)

 

Accompanying events and activities

Hurricane: Unsung Hero Tour

On selected dates in January and February, join one of IWM’s expert guides for a 60-minute talk exploring the history of the Hurricane and the unique stories behind each of the aircraft in this spotlight exhibition.

There is even the opportunity to go behind the ropes for a closer glimpse at these iconic aircraft.

 

Hurricane: Unsung Hero in Airfix

Join members of the Airfix team on January 15 as they explain the research, design and production processes that go into making their iconic model aircraft.

They will demonstrate how to take accurate measurements of full-size aircraft using 3D scanners, how they use cutting-edge technology to design their kits, and how they design their famous box artwork.

 

Duxford In A Different Light: Hurricane Unsung Hero

Head to AirSpace after-hours on February 4 where the aircraft will be lit up in a variety of ways, including with the use of coloured and white lighting, to create magical photography moments.

This event is intended for experienced photographers and we suggest bringing a camera and tripod.

Royston Crow: Hurricane Mk I V7497 G-HRLI which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford.Hurricane Mk I V7497 G-HRLI which will feature in Hurricane: Unsung Hero at IWM Duxford. (Image: IWM)

 

IWM In Conversation: The Hurricane Conference

Join Duxford for a series of fascinating lectures about the history and heritage of the Hurricane on February 18.

Hear from a current Hurricane pilot and engineer about the intricacies of flying and maintaining the aircraft, discover more about what made the Hurricane such a powerful enemy destroyer during the WW2 from an IWM curator, and hear from Jim Nicolson whose uncle flew Hurricanes and was the only Fighter Command pilot in the whole of the Second World War to be awarded the Victoria Cross.