Aircraft History
Built by Canada Car and Foundry in Fort William. Constructors Number 1010. On November 6, 1942 delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as Hurricane Mark XII serial number 5377.

Wartime History
During late 1942, assigned to No. 2 Training Command. On March 24, 1943 assigned to Western Air Command. On July 16, 1943 assigned to No. 163 (F) Squadron at RCAF Station Sea Island in British Columbia.

In 1943, this Hurricane suffered a crash landing that caused damage. Afterwards, repaired by Coates Aircraft in Vancouver between July 29, 1943 until September 15, 1943.

On July 5, 1944 placed into storage at No. 3 Training Command. On January 15, 1945 assigned to No. 1 Air Command but remained in storage.

Postwar
On November 27, 1945 available for disposal Dunnville, Ontario with No. 6 Repair Depot (6 RD). On July 13, 1946 this Hurricane was struck off charge and transfered to the War Assets Corporation for sale. In 1946, sold to a farmer Jim Roy of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba who left the aircraft derelict on his farm until 1964.

Restoration
In 1964, purchased by Robert Diemert of Carmen, Canada who restored this Hurricane at Friendship Airfield to flying condition. Restored during 1966–1969, this aircraft might have used parts or dataplates from other Hurricanes or parts in Canada. Painted in the markings of Hurricane 5585 and registered in Canada as CF-CMI.

After the restoration, Robert Diemert personally flew it to the United Kingdom and was the pilot during the filming of The Battle of Britain (1969). Between July 10, 1968 until 1969 registered in the United Kingdom as G-AWLW to Samuelson Film Service Ltd N.A.W. "Tony" Samuelson / Samuelson Film Services Ltd in Elstree, UK.

In December 1969 acquired by Sir William J. D. Roberts of Shoreham. In March 1972 owned by the William Roberts / Strathallan Collection in Auchterader, Scotland. Painted in the markings of Hurricane P3308 code UP-A.

In May 1984 acquired by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) and transported aboard a RCAF C-130 to Hamilton Airport. Re-registered as C-GCWH in Canada and made a first flight on June 4, 1984. Painted in the markings of Hurricane P3069 code YO-A. On February 15, 1993 destroyed in a hanger fire.

References
Warbird Resource Group - Warbird Registry - Hurricane/RCAF 5377
Canadian Military Aircraft Serial Numbers RCAF 5550 to 5599 Detailed List - Hurricane 5377
Winnipeg Free Press "D. O. T. Edict Fails To Halt Val Divebomber Test Flight" November 24, 1969 page 1
"Mr. Diemert said, is the result of 'a personal vendetta' brought about by the Winnipeg D.O.T. official who 'even tried to hang me on the Hurricane thing.' Mr. Diemert was referring to a British Hawker Hurricane fighter which he restored earlier. The department grounded the plane initially on technicalities, hut it was eventually allowed to fly, bringing Mr. Diemert international fame."
Winnipeg Free Press "Tweaking the WIGs: Carman team among developers of advanced aircraft" May 8, 2015
"he restored a British fighter aircraft, the Hawker Hurricane; something no one had done before. He flew it across the ocean and piloted it in the movie."

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Last Updated
May 14, 2023