Hurricanes at RAF Shawbury

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malki

Recruit
1
0
Jul 3, 2012
Hi all - this is my first post; I hope someone can help me with some information regarding work done at RAF Shawbury, Shropshire, England during WW2. I recently found a small notebook which belonged to my late father. In it I found some little bits of information which relate to his time at the base whilst working for the Air Ministry as an aircraft engineer. According to all sources I have found RAF Shawbury was a training base but the notes in my father's book relate to Hawker Hurricanes and I'll quote a few examples:-

" Hurricanes Harmonised

N 2833
N 2482
N 2549 "

" V 6848
V 3812
V 3825

and all Z. type Hurricanes "

There is also a full page on Cadmium Plating with chemical calculations and bath timings and another note on Anodic Treatment.

From this scant information can anyone decypher what he might have been doing?

malki
 
Shawbury was also the home of 11 (P)AFU - (Pilot's) Advanced Flying Unit, which was involved in training pilots, who had gained the 'wings' overseas, in the requirements and tactics of flying in Europe. This would have included air to ground and air to air gunnery, before the pilots were then sent to an OTU (Operational training Unit), and there are records of Hurricanes being based there, either for use by the (P)AFU, or 'passing through' for general maintenance or equipment fit etc.
I can only guess that 'Hurricanes harmonised' refers to the harmonisation of the guns, although this would normally be the job of an armourer. However, other 'tradesmen' would be required to place the aircraft on jacks, in a flying position, once it had been towed or taxied to the firing butts.
Sorry I can't be of much further help.
 
There is also a full page on Cadmium Plating with chemical calculations and bath timings and another note on Anodic Treatment.

Sounds like he worked in a plating bay at one stage; working on treatment of steel and aluminium componentry - that sort of work is done by specialist shop workers. Cad plating of steel and anodising of aluminium is done to prevent corrosion.
 

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