The Hurricane Mk I R4175 is one of the most recognisable aircraft that served with No. 303 (Polish) Fighter Squadron. For scale modellers it is not just another Hurricane, but a machine with a remarkable story — one of the aircraft flown by the famous Battle of Britain ace, Sergeant Josef František. On the surface it was an ordinary Gloster-built Hurricane, yet it was in this very machine that František achieved some of his most spectacular victories. Read below for a detailed overview of the aircraft itself: its provenance, camouflage, operational use,
and the complete list of sorties and confirmed victories recorded by the RAF.
The full story of the pilot himself can be found in the article by Dominik Sędziak:
Hawker Hurricane Mk I R4175
No. 303 (Polish) Fighter Squadron, August–October 1940
Origin and Allocation
Hurricane Mk I R4175 was manufactured by the Gloster Aircraft Company as part of contract batch 19773/39/C.23a,
covering serials R4171–R4200.
- 26 July 1940 – delivered to No. 27 Maintenance Unit
- 8 August 1940 – assigned to No. 303 Squadron at Northolt
The aircraft was equipped with a Rotol propeller fitted with a Spitfire-type spinner —
a configuration typical of Gloster-built Hurricanes of this period.
Hurricane Mk I R4175/RF-F, photographed on 5 September 1940. The clearly different hues of the national markings indicate the use of pre-war paints, consistent with Gloster factory practice. Photo: Wojtek Matusiak Collection.
Camouflage and Markings
RAF Temperate Land Scheme camouflage: Dark Earth + Dark Green disruptive pattern, underside in Sky Type S.
RAF fuselage and upper-wing roundels were applied in pre-war Gloster colours:
a more vivid blue and a lighter red.
The fin flash was the pre-war symmetrical type — three stripes of equal width, also in Gloster’s earlier palette.
Undersides of wings:
At the time of delivery the aircraft carried no RAF roundels under the wings (i.e., pre–11 August 1940).
Underwing roundels were added at unit level after 18 August, using standard RAF colours.
Photographs of the aircraft clearly show the contrast between these repainted underwing roundels
and the factory-applied markings elsewhere.
The aircraft did not carry the Polish red-and-white checkerboard,
just like other No. 303 Squadron Hurricanes at this stage.
The squadron emblem derived from the Kościuszko Squadron was added only during operations in September 1940.
Another photograph of František’s Hurricane taken on 5 September 1940. Note the light-coloured roundel on the wing and the absence of the squadron emblem. Photo: Wojtek Matusiak Collection.
Sergeant Josef František – Operational Sorties on Hurricane R4175
Sergeant Josef František flew operational sorties on several Hurricanes,
but achieved most of his victories on R4175/RF-R.
| Date | Time | Area | Mission Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31.08.1940 | 17.50–18.55 | Biggin Hill | Scramble |
| 01.09.1940 | 14.10–15.20 | Northolt area | Patrol |
| 03.09.1940 | 14.45–16.10 | Maidstone–Dover | Patrol |
| 04.09.1940 | 09.20–10.15 | Patrol | Patrol |
| 05.09.1940 | 14.40–15.40 | Gillingham–Thames Estuary | Patrol |
| 06.09.1940 | 08.40–09.30 | West Kent | Patrol |
| 18.09.1940 | 09.50–10.35 | Biggin Hill | Patrol |
| 26.09.1940 | 14.25–15.00 | Northolt | Patrol |
| 26.09.1940 | 16.05–17.05 | Portsmouth | Patrol |
| 26.09.1940 | 18.00–18.20 | — | Patrol |
| 27.09.1940 | 11.15–11.30 | Horsham | Patrol |
| 28.09.1940 | 13.15–14.40 | — | Patrol |
| 02.10.1940 | 09.00–10.05 | — | Patrol |
| 07.10.1940 | 13.20–14.30 | Kenley–Brooklands | Patrol |
| 07.10.1940 | 15.35–16.35 | — | Patrol |
| 08.10.1940 | 09.05–09.40 | — | Patrol |
Close-up of Hurricane R4175/RF-R. The contrast between the fin-flash colours and the underwing roundel is clearly visible, as are signs of operational wear. Photo: Wojtek Matusiak Collection.
Josef František’s Victories Achieved on Hurricane R4175
| Date | Time | Target | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05.09.1940 | 15.05 | 1 Ju 88 | Thames Estuary |
| 05.09.1940 | 15.05 | 1 Bf 109 | Thames Estuary |
| 06.09.1940 | 09.00 | 1 Bf 109 | Sevenoaks |
| 26.09.1940 | 16.30 | 2 He 111 | English Channel |
| 27.09.1940 | 09.20 | 1 He 111 | Horsham |
| 27.09.1940 | 09.20 | 1 Bf 110 | Gatwick |
Two important Hurricanes flown by František. In the background V7235/RF-M, which he belly-landed on 8 August 1940,
and in the foreground R4175/RF-R on which he achieved nine victories. Note the differences between the fin-flash colours and the underwing roundels. Photo: Wojtek Matusiak Collection.
Loss of the Aircraft
8 October 1940 – crashed on return from patrol near Ewell, Surrey. Condition of wreck: CE – Complete Wreck.
References
- Jiri Rajlich, Hurricane Ace Josef František, Mushroom Model Publications 2010, ISBN 978-8389450715
- Hurricane Sierżant František – najlepszy z Niewielu
See also:
👉 View the Hurricane Mk I model in the shop: link
Hawker Hurricane P3090 – od myśliwca Bitwy o Anglię do służby w Fleet Air Arm
Trzy Hurricane’y z premierowego pudełka 1/48… a malowania są cztery!
Modeller happy enough to work in his hobby. Seems to be a quiet Aspie but you were warned. Enjoys talking about modelling, conspiracy theories, Grand Duchy of Lithuania and internet marketing. Co-founder of Arma Hobby. Builds and paints figurines, aeroplane and armour kits, mostly Polish subject and naval aviation.
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