Hello,
I am researching my great-uncle, Flying Officer Corran Perry Ashworth, as I was named after him. He was best friends with the legendary Sqn Ldr Johnnie Houston DFC, and was referenced in Johnnie's book 'Spitfire Strikes' a few times.
I understand the Hurricane IID was fitted with 'tank buster' cannons, and 6 Squadron was equipped with this version. I know from Corran's logbook (with thanks from his youngest brother) that he was flying a MK.IIC (recorded under number as D) with 253 Squadron at the time the following anecdote refers:
"Ash had just returned from South Africa, and came to stay for a week with me at Hornchurch before starting his official rest period, and also been commissioned. Since we had gone our different ways a year and a half before Ash had been flying strafing Hurricanes with four 20-mm guns, and 'tank busters' which were fitted with a 37-mm gun under each wing. The weight and drag of these artillery pieces pulled the performance of the Hurricane right down, and there were only a few rounds per gun, which had to be reloaded for each salvo by a remote control from the cockpit. When fired, the recoil of these heavy-calibre guns knocked 30 mph or more off the speed of the aircraft, but the results were often spectacular."
"Ash had been on a convoy patrol north of Algiers in one of these tank busters when a Ju 88 dropped out of cloud in front of him, to begin a bombing run on the ships. Sighting very carefully Ash fired his two-round broadside, and the Ju 88 disintegrated, probably the only time those guns were ever used in the air-to-air role."
This is an excerpt from Johnnie Houlton's autobiography.
So, what is the likelihood of this being accurate? Corran only noted that he was on patrol 30 miles north of Phillipeville (now Skikda), Algeria, on 15 February 1943. At this time, 253 Squadron was based at Setif, Algeria. He noted 'Ju88 shot down into sea in flames'. Corran was still an RNZAF pilot - he was transferred to the RAF 23 March 1943.
This 'kill' was noted on Luftwaffedata: Aufkl. Gr. 122 Feb 1943 - Luftwaffedata Wiki
Corran visited Johnnie at Hornchurch shortly after returning to England in October 1943 (Johnnie was with 485 Squadron, and Corran was in a few photos).
He and Johnnie were at Biggin Hill during a visit by New Zealand High Commissioner Bill Jordan - a photo taken at the time appears in Paul Sortehaug's book 'No 485 (N.Z.) Squadron 1941-1945 : Spitfire', incorrectly dated as July - Corran was still based in Algeria.
With 'backyard' modifications being very common, how feasible would it have been to perform an unofficial surgery and upgrade to a Mk.IIC?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
corranashworth.info
I am researching my great-uncle, Flying Officer Corran Perry Ashworth, as I was named after him. He was best friends with the legendary Sqn Ldr Johnnie Houston DFC, and was referenced in Johnnie's book 'Spitfire Strikes' a few times.
I understand the Hurricane IID was fitted with 'tank buster' cannons, and 6 Squadron was equipped with this version. I know from Corran's logbook (with thanks from his youngest brother) that he was flying a MK.IIC (recorded under number as D) with 253 Squadron at the time the following anecdote refers:
"Ash had just returned from South Africa, and came to stay for a week with me at Hornchurch before starting his official rest period, and also been commissioned. Since we had gone our different ways a year and a half before Ash had been flying strafing Hurricanes with four 20-mm guns, and 'tank busters' which were fitted with a 37-mm gun under each wing. The weight and drag of these artillery pieces pulled the performance of the Hurricane right down, and there were only a few rounds per gun, which had to be reloaded for each salvo by a remote control from the cockpit. When fired, the recoil of these heavy-calibre guns knocked 30 mph or more off the speed of the aircraft, but the results were often spectacular."
"Ash had been on a convoy patrol north of Algiers in one of these tank busters when a Ju 88 dropped out of cloud in front of him, to begin a bombing run on the ships. Sighting very carefully Ash fired his two-round broadside, and the Ju 88 disintegrated, probably the only time those guns were ever used in the air-to-air role."
This is an excerpt from Johnnie Houlton's autobiography.
So, what is the likelihood of this being accurate? Corran only noted that he was on patrol 30 miles north of Phillipeville (now Skikda), Algeria, on 15 February 1943. At this time, 253 Squadron was based at Setif, Algeria. He noted 'Ju88 shot down into sea in flames'. Corran was still an RNZAF pilot - he was transferred to the RAF 23 March 1943.
This 'kill' was noted on Luftwaffedata: Aufkl. Gr. 122 Feb 1943 - Luftwaffedata Wiki
Corran visited Johnnie at Hornchurch shortly after returning to England in October 1943 (Johnnie was with 485 Squadron, and Corran was in a few photos).
He and Johnnie were at Biggin Hill during a visit by New Zealand High Commissioner Bill Jordan - a photo taken at the time appears in Paul Sortehaug's book 'No 485 (N.Z.) Squadron 1941-1945 : Spitfire', incorrectly dated as July - Corran was still based in Algeria.
With 'backyard' modifications being very common, how feasible would it have been to perform an unofficial surgery and upgrade to a Mk.IIC?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
corranashworth.info
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