| Original caption: “Aerial portrait: Squadron Leader J. W. Donaldson of the Station Flight, Northolt, smiles in polite acquiescence to the proximity of the photographic Hart to his Hurricane.” Royal Air Force (RAF) Squadron Leader John William “Baldy” Donaldson (September 4, 1910 – June 8, 1940) pilots Hawker Hurricane Mark I fighter L1683 during a demonstration flight. Not as agile as the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane was present in larger numbers during the Battle of Britain. Whenever possible, the Spitfire would engage Nazi German Messerschmitt Bf-109 fighters, and the Hurricanes would engage the bombers. This early model has fabric-covered wings and a Watts wooden 2-bladed propeller. The wing fabric is pressed into the ribs by the air flow. The Rolls-Royce engine has the then-new ejector stubs. Out of frame is the extended lower rudder fin common on early Hurricanes. L1683 was featured internationally in the press as the prime example of the Hawker Hurricanes rearming the RAF. Photographed from a Hawker Hart biplane, L1683 appeared in newspapers in May 1939. “Baldy” Donaldson was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, and joined the RAF in 1931, training with Number 5 Flying Training School. Promoted to Flight Officer in 1933 and Flight Lieutenant in 1936 with Number 24 (Communications) Squadron, the Station Flight at Northolt. He was the Commanding Officer of Number 263 Squadron in 1940. While retrieving Gloster Gladiators from Norway, he was killed in action when HMS Glorious was sunk by Kriegsmarine battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Declared missing in action, he received the Distinguished Service Order, Air Force Cross, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his service in Norway. L1683 arrived at RAF Northolt, the 1st station to operate Hurricanes, on November 2, 1938. Assigned to Number 73 Squadron on August 5, 1939, she was sent to France on October 16, 1939. Sergeant Leslie J. W. Humphris (May 25, 1916 – September 1988) ripped off the undercarriage during a rough landing on November 6, 1939. The next day, the Hurricane was salvaged at Saint-Morel, and by December 12, 1939, Number 21 Aircraft Depot shipped the Hurricane back to England. It arrived at Number 4 Maintenance Unit on May 10, 1940, and at Number 27 Maintenance Unit on July 21. It was back in service with Number 5 Flying Training School on August 14, 1940. 2 days later, Number 5 Operational Training Unit took charge of L1683, and it was used to train pilots for several months. L1683 burst a tire when Sergeant Kazimierz Karaszewski of the Free Polish Air Force (April 26, 1918 – January 26, 1996) was at the controls on April 14, 1941. The hurricane tipped over on landing. L1683 was under repair with the 44th Maintenance Unit on July 15, 1941. Returned to flight status, L1683 was sent to Number 9 Flying Training School. On December 6, 1941, L1683 stalled on landing, damaging the undercarriage again. The aircraft could be repaired on site. 2nd Officer Stanley O. Bradshaw (February 2, 1903 – April 7, 1950) was unharmed but was later killed in an air crash after the war. L1683 was sent to Number 9 Flying Training School on December 26, 1941. Repairs were made on site until June 15, 1942. Hurricane L1683 was found airworthy on July 9, 1942, and detailed to the Empire Central Flying School. On September 12, 1942, it made flights for 1 day with the Number 9 Pilots Advanced Flying Unit before returning to Empire Central Flying School. L1683 was slightly damaged again on October 23, 1942, and repaired on site by Hawker. On November 7, 1942, L1683 was returned to Empire Central Flying School. On November 24, 1942, L1683 was sent for maintenance. On March 2, 1943, L1683 was detailed to Number 4 School of Technical Training. On September 9, 1943, it was sent to Number 7 School of Technical Training. On May 3, 1944, it was declared damaged beyond economical repair. It was struck off charge on March 20, 1945. ] | |
| Image Filename | wwii0304.jpg |
| Image Size | 111.69 KB |
| Image Dimensions | 1024 x 768 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 7, 1940 |
| Location | |
| City | London |
| State or Province | London |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Archive | Imperial War Museum |
| Record Number | |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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