The truth about NICKI

[alvin5182]

Gents:

Does anyone have a link to the article about the 835 Sqn (FAA) Sea Hurricane coded 7*T, serial # NF700? Unknown website!

Squadron/signal in action identifies this as "NICKI" whereas another photo, in that book,show another Hurricane sans serial # coded 7*N as being"NICKI".

Unusual White over Sky colour scheme based on HMS Nairana -44-45.

Thanks

Alvin

[Chuck1945]

The website no longer works. I saved the materials a few years ago, here is what I have:

Nikki was NF672,

According to her pilot's notes Lt.Commander Allen Burgham:

“NF 700 was the aircraft whose back I broke by hitting the rundown with the tail wheel on March 2, 1944. NF672 is called “Nickiâ€. My records indicate that 7N was the identifier of NF691. NF672 was labeled 7K and was the aircraft I was flying when I shot down a Junkers 290 in March of 1944.â€

[alvin5182]

Thanks Chuck

that was the info I was looking for.

Alvin

[is it windy yet?]

I've met Allen Burgham several times, and he gave me a photo of one of the aircraft that he flew 7D. I asked him about the underwing stripes and he couldn't recall if they were there on all the airplanes. The hasegawa instructions for the 1:48 Sea Hurricane IIC show Nicki as 7N without serial number, and 7T as NF700. 7D also has its serial number on the side but it can not be read from the photograph that Allen has provided to me.

Ron

[alvin5182]

Gents:

Revell (Ger) provide decals for 7*T (NF700) in their 72nd scale Sea Hurri IIC and they went on beautifully. The Squadron in action book states that NF700 was also called NICKI, but the name doesn't appear to be there in the rather poor photo altho you can see the Sqn crest.

Thanks for clearing things up guys.

Alvin

[Chuck1945]

Here is a picture of NICKI after a slight mishap. The wing underside appears much darker then Sky would probably appear. To confuse the issue, the main landing gear cover is a light color, which makes the dark shade unlikely to be a shadow.

I have another photo, unfortuantely just a thumbnail, showing the upper surface of an 835 Sqd Sea Hurricane and there is tapered anti-glare panel left, probably in Extra Dark Sea Grey, when the planes were painted overall white.

[is it windy yet?]

Here is a picture of NICKI after a slight mishap. The wing underside appears much darker then Sky would probably appear. To confuse the issue, the main landing gear cover is a light color, which makes the dark shade unlikely to be a shadow.

I have another photo, unfortuantely just a thumbnail, showing the upper surface of an 835 Sqd Sea Hurricane and there is tapered anti-glare panel left, probably in Extra Dark Sea Grey, when the planes were painted overall white.

Chuck,

That thumbnail is the same as the one Allen provided to me in full size. I seem to recall him informing me that he both flew this plane and took this photograph. I can provide you with a larger copy if you wish, it is coded 7D.

Ron

[alvin5182]

Ron:

Would love to see the photo. Overheads of 835 Sqn planes seem to be non-existant. I always got the impression that they painted the white with brooms or mops and didn't really care what they painted over.

Alvin

[is it windy yet?]

Ron:

Would love to see the photo. Overheads of 835 Sqn planes seem to be non-existant. I always got the impression that they painted the white with brooms or mops and didn't really care what they painted over.

Alvin

Give me an email to send it to.

Ron

[Chuck1945]

Ron,

That thumbnail is the same as the one Allen provided to me in full size. I seem to recall him informing me that he both flew this plane and took this photograph. I can provide you with a larger copy if you wish, it is coded 7D.

please send the full size picture. That was one where only the thumbnail got saved when I attempted to save the entire 'Story of Nicki' file from what apparently is now a defunct website.

cmking@pullman.com

[Nairana]

Gents:

Revell (Ger) provide decals for 7*T (NF700) in their 72nd scale Sea Hurri IIC and they went on beautifully. The Squadron in action book states that NF700 was also called NICKI, but the name doesn't appear to be there in the rather poor photo altho you can see the Sqn crest.

Thanks for clearing things up guys.

Alvin

Hi everyone. My father, Lt Cmdr Allen Burgham, DSC,MiD, CD (rtr'd) was the Senior Pilot and Flight Commander of the Fighter Component of 835 Squadron. I spoke with him yesterday (yes, he is still in reasonable health) and he would like the Sqadron crest mystery cleared up. The fact is, the modelling companies have it wrong. The crest was painted over when they quickly painted them "white". The nose was painted a darker Sea grey so that they did not get glare from the sun during attacks and landings etc. The crest is the Tiger Crest of 804 Squadron. It was when my father was sent from 804 to form the fighter component of 835 that six hurricanes (with the Tiger Crest) were sent along with him.

Thanks and hope this is the beginning of clearing up ther modeller's mystery. I have pictures of the Hurricanes of 804 with the Tiger Head Crest showing.

Todd

[Nairana]

Hi everyone. My father, Lt Cmdr Allen Burgham, DSC,MiD, CD (rtr'd) was the Senior Pilot and Flight Commander of the Fighter Component of 835 Squadron. I spoke with him yesterday (yes, he is still in reasonable health) and he would like the Sqadron crest mystery cleared up. The fact is, the modelling companies have it wrong. The crest was painted over when they quickly painted them "white". The nose was painted a darker Sea grey so that they did not get glare from the sun during attacks and landings etc. The crest is the Tiger Crest of 804 Squadron. It was when my father was sent from 804 to form the fighter component of 835 that six hurricanes (with the Tiger Crest) were sent along with him.

Thanks and hope this is the beginning of clearing up ther modeller's mystery. I have pictures of the Hurricanes of 804 with the Tiger Head Crest showing.

Todd Nairana

[alvin5182]

Todd:

i would like (as well as many others) to see any photos you may have. They are interesting aircraft in an interesting era. As well they are a pleasant change from the European Theatre Hurricanes for the modeling community. Looking forward anything you may want to offer up.

Alvin5182

[f4h1phantom]

I have pictures of the Hurricanes of 804 with the Tiger Head Crest showing.

Todd Nairana

Hi Todd,

that was certainly a most interesting post. Many thanks for taking the time to clear things up for us.

It would certainly be most interesting to see any pictures you may have. Hope you can scan them and post them here.

Thanks again and please send my respect to your father.

Yours sincerely,

Jorge.

[agboak]

As well they are a pleasant change from the European Theatre Hurricanes for the modeling community.

Alvin5182

I agree entirely with the rest of your post, and the white ones are distinctive, but had to comment on this. There are Far Eastern, Eastern (Russian), East African, Balkan, North Africa and Middle Eastern Fronts if you get too bored with European Theatre Hurricanes. Plus lesser duties in West Africa, South Africa, and on the North West Frontier. Twenty or more nations, including five Axis, but without the exiled Poles and Czechs (etc) flying in RAF markings.

[ThatJeffGuy]

I agree entirely with the rest of your post, and the white ones are distinctive, but had to comment on this. There are Far Eastern, Eastern (Russian), East African, Balkan, North Africa and Middle Eastern Fronts if you get too bored with European Theatre Hurricanes. Plus lesser duties in West Africa, South Africa, and on the North West Frontier. Twenty or more nations, including five Axis, but without the exiled Poles and Czechs (etc) flying in RAF markings.

Not to mention Hurri's in Canada sent up to shoot down the Japanese fire-bombing balloons

[Nairana]

Hi Todd,

that was certainly a most interesting post. Many thanks for taking the time to clear things up for us.

It would certainly be most interesting to see any pictures you may have. Hope you can scan them and post them here.

Thanks again and please send my respect to your father.

Yours sincerely,

Jorge.

Hi Jorge. I will post them in a few weeks. My father and I are busy putting together his War Memoir of his time in 804 and 835 Squadrons. Very interesting as they saw action on the Gibralter runs, the North Atlantic Runs with Captain F."Johnnie" Walker and his Hunter/Killer Escort Groups, and then in Wildcats on the Arctic Convoys. We are going deeply into his photographs and press clippings. I'll let you know when and how that might be available too. But the 804 Squadron photos are interesting and I have a couple of 835 Hurricane photos that hint at the Tiger Head under the white paint. By the way the white camouflage was done without waiting for permission...and it worked well.

Todd

[Nairana]

Hi Jorge. I will post them in a few weeks. My father and I are busy putting together his War Memoir of his time in 804 and 835 Squadrons. Very interesting as they saw action on the Gibralter runs, the North Atlantic Runs with Captain F."Johnnie" Walker and his Hunter/Killer Escort Groups, and then in Wildcats on the Arctic Convoys. We are going deeply into his photographs and press clippings. I'll let you know when and how that might be available too. But the 804 Squadron photos are interesting and I have a couple of 835 Hurricane photos that hint at the Tiger Head under the white paint. By the way the white camouflage was done without waiting for permission...and it worked well.

Todd

[f4h1phantom]

Many thanks for your kind answer Todd!

I can hardly wait to read what your father will tell. It will be most interesting for sure! Please let us know where his memories will be available.

Will be ckecking here often.

All the best,

Jorge.

[Snorry]

I will post them in a few weeks.

I had never believed in 'Ferrary style' yellow-horse-on-the-red-shield markings on 835 sqn aircraft and it seems I was right!!! But there is another mystery - the invasion stripes on undersiges of the wings! Decal-makers insists they were, but no good photo. There is something on the famous photo of Nicki laying on the deck of Nairana, but is it stripes? So I also wait for more info (may be photos) on 835 sqn Sea Hurricanes. I really want my Sea Hurricane painted WHITE! :wacko: Even if I had to make decals for it myself.