Hawker Hurricane Mk 11A – Z 3055 (The Wied iz-Zurrieq Hurricane)

The Eight .303 inch Browning machine gun (364 rounds each) Hurricane IIA of No 46 Squadron RAF, is currently being restored at the Malta Aviation Museum at Ta' Qali, a former RAF station.

Built by Hawker Aircraft at Kingston (or Weybridge) between 14 January 1941 and 28 July 1941 in a batch of 49 aircraft with serials Z3050 and Z3099 and fitted with a 1,185-hp Rolls-Royce Merlin XX Vee piston engine, Z3055 was constructed to the 5th production batch of 1,000 aircraft and was delivered at Hewarden on 27 February 1941 and prepared for squadron service.

Details from form AM78 reveal that it was delivered from the factory to 48 MU at Hawarden on 27 February, 1941 and prepared for squadron service. It was transferred to Abbotsinch on 17 March but only stayed until it was flown to 5 MU at Kemble on the 26 March and was delivered back to Abbotsinch on the 18 May, for shipment to Malta and taken on charge in Malta (126 Squadron) in July 1941.

Hurricane Z3055 took off from Safi strip just before daybreak on 4 July 1941 but shortly afterwards crashed into the sea off the island half a mile off a location commonly known as “in-Nuffied', beneath the Hamrija medieval costal tower, piloted by 967109 Sgt. Thomas Hackston. The pilot was never found!

In 1993, fifty two years after the fatal crash, the aircraft was located at a depth of 40 meters half a mile off coast by diver David Schembri (The Qrendi Group Scout Leader) and his life long friend Joseph Sciberras (Ta' Stizja), after being informed of the possible location by Zurrieq local fisherman Karmenu Caruana (Il-Kezziz).

Two years after their discovery, on Thursday 19th September 1995, the wreckage of Hurricane Z3055 was raised off the seabed with the aid of an A Frame Barge, The Sea Wolf, made available with the kind assistance of Cassar Ship Repairs Co Ltd., and transported to Ta' Qali for restoration by the Malta Historic Aircraft Preservation Group. An aircraft identification brass plate confirmed the aircraft to be that of Z3055 as the aircraft's fate was previously unknown.

The name of the Hurricane will forever be linked with the Battle of Britain, in which, with its partner the Spitfire, it added one of the most glorious chapters in the annals of the Royal Air Force.

During that fateful engagement of 1940, Hurricane pilots shot down more enemy aircraft than all other defenses, air and ground, combined.

Later the Hurricane added its laurels in defense of Malta , in the Western Desert and in Burma ; indeed no other Allied aircraft ever fought in as many theatres as did the Hurricane.

967109 Sgt Thomas Hackston's name is commemorated on the Royal Air Force monument in Floriana.

Hurricane Z3055, has in the meantime been nicknamed the “Wied iz-Zurrieq Hurricane”, after the beautiful surroundings from where it was again brought to life. A fitting memorial in fond memory of its pilot 967109 Sgt Thomas Hackston who together with others gave their lives so that others may live free.

Who so takes

The world life on him

And his own lays down

He dying so lives