RAF Hurricane Mki R4118 605 Bob Foster Croydon

Hawker Hurricane MkI, R4118, was delivered new to 605 (County of Warwick) Squadron on 17th August 1940. Bob Foster was posted to 605 Sqn during the Battle of Britain, flying Hurricanes throughout with much success. He flew several missions in Hurricane R4118 and it was in this aircraft that he damaged two Ju88s and shared in the destruction of a third. He finished the war with 7 confirmed victories and three probables. R4118 flew a total of 49 combat sorties during the Battle of Britain, with five enemy aircraft destroyed, before itself being shot down and damaged in October 1940. In December 1943 it was sent to India as a training aircraft but remained crated there until 1947 when it was struck off charge. It was then donated to a university for engineering instruction and remained there gradually decaying until, in 2001, it returned to the UK and was restored to full flying condition. As the only Hurricane from the Battle of Britain still flying, R4118 is regarded as the most historic British WWII aircraft to survive in flying condition. In 2005 there was a historic event as Wing Commander Bob Foster DFC and Hurricane R4118 were re-united for the first time in 65 years at the Biggin Hill Airshow in Kent.