Before I post photos of the finished build, Airfix's 1/72 Hawker Hurricane (with fabric wings), I wanted to recognize the pilot of the actual aircraft.
According to Plastic Planet Club’s decal instruction sheet, DU-J/L1926 from 312 Squadron was piloted by Alois Vasatko.
The sheet contains markings exclusively for fabric-wing Hurricanes, but I wonder if this is accurate for a plane still flying in October 1940? I obediently followed the sheet’s instructions, though, except for substituting Colourcoats Eau-de-Nil as the underside color, due to a profile in Paul Lucas’ previously mentioned book (which doesn’t verify that the craft had fabric-covered wings).
Although the decals went on well and were very cooperative, it is obvious from photos that they got the wrong configuration for the red-white-blue fin flash.
Alois Vasatko was born 25 August, 1908 in Bohemia. He joined the Czech army in 1928 as an artilleryman. By 1935, he had trained as an air observer, and completed pilot training in 1939. That same year he relocated to France after Nazi Germany added Bohemia and Moravia to the Reich.
Following Germany’s invasion of Poland and France’s entry into the war, Vasatko was allowed to join the French air force, in which he served until France’s surrender. He managed to escape to Morocco and from there to Gibraltar, eventually arriving in Cardiff, Wales.
He was credited with twelve victories during the French campaign and had been awarded the Croix de Guerre.
Along with other Czech airman, Vasatko enlisted in the RAF Volunteer Reserve, was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, and trained on Hawker Hurricanes. Posted to 312 Squadron, he was assigned with Sergeant Josef Stehlik to Yellow Flight, led by Flight Lieutenant Denys Gillam.
The Squadron was posted to RAF Speke near Liverpool, when, on 8 October, 1940, a single Ju-88 bomber was sighted flying along the River Mersey. Yellow Flight was scrambled, with Vasatko flying L1926, coded DU-J.
All three planes of Yellow Flight attacked the Junkers, killing the observer and setting both engines on fire. It made a forced landing, with the surviving crew captured. The incident was reported in the news media.
With the conclusion of the Battle of Britain, Vasatko continued serving with the RAF, and by 1941 he was in command of 312 Squadron.
On 23 June, 1942, Vasatko was flying with the escort for a force of Boston bombers sent on a mission into France. During the return flight, the RAF force was jumped by Focke-Wulf Fw-190s. In the melee, Vasatko (now flying a Spitfire Mk VB) collided with one of the German planes. The German pilot bailed out and spent the rest of the war as a prisoner.
Vasatko went down into the sea with his plane and his body was not recovered. At the time of his death he held the rank of Wing Commander.
I'll post photos of the finished model tomorrow.