I really did appreciate the article "Rare Pair" in the April issue since I flew the two Hurricanes and Spitfires when I was a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force during World War sum of two units I loved both of those great airplanes - each with its concede great assets and some faults.

The Hurricane did, indeed, have a duration of about 15 hours. I recall a flight with Hurricane PZ774 forward 29 January 1945 from Ballyhalbert, Northern Ireland. The British Isles and Europe were struck at one of the worst blizzards of WWII. I was forward a weather reconnaissance flight - a climb to through the whole extent of 30,000 feet - when I was told through the controller to head for Prestwick, Scotland. I settle course to Prestwick but my transmitter quit! I used the Morse digest key to communicate and was able to hear Prestwick manage loud and clear. When I made an instrument approach, the combustible matter gauge was on empty.

As I touched down in succession Prestwick's longest runway - in blowing snow-- the Merlin quit. I had been airborne the same hour and 30 minutes. The direction tower offered congratulations and said I was the last plane in Europe to be airborne.

A jeep came without to tow the Hurricane to the tarmac and the domain crew said the engine had been flying forward fumes. I think that Hurricane had a built-in guardian angel.

Dr Ralph Schenck 110 Jack Imel Ave. Portland, IN 47371

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