HURRICANE N2600 | military-research

I am honoured to say that on 17th November 2018 I became the custodian of the engine from Hurricane N2600 which crashed on the 18th May 1940 after the pilot Michael Alan Newling DFC parachuted safely away. Pictures of the recovery and engine as it is today are posted at the conclusion of this page.

Michael Alan Newling joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training on 23rd January 1939 at No. 1 E&RFTS Hatfield. He carried out his intermediate and advanced flying training at 11 FTS Shawbury on No. 12 Course, which ran from 15th April to 23rd October 1939.

With his training completed, he joined the reformed 145 Squadron at Croydon on 23rd October.

On May 18, 1940, Hurricanes of 145 Sqn landed at the French base Merville, arriving from Manston. That same afternoon, a flight was dispatched to intercept a formation He 111's of Kampfgeschwader 4, flying west of Brussels. At least one Heinkel was shot down, but because of combat damage, F/O Michael Newling was forced to leave his formation and to fly towards his base. Over the village of Pamel-Roosdaal (province of Flemish Brabant), Newling was forced to abandon his Hurricane. He landed safely by parachute and was led trough the German lines… by a 13-year old boy The pilot succeeded in crossing the Dender river. With tears in his eyes he waved good-bye towards his young helpers and was picked up by a British vehicle.

Over Dunkirk on 31st May he shared in the destruction of a Me109 and on 1st June destroyed a Me110.

On 12th July Newling shared in probably destroying a Ju88 and shared in damaging three Me110's and on the 19th he shared in destroying a He111. In this action his Hurricane, P2770, was hit in the glycol tank and hydraulic system by return fire.

Newling made a forced-landing at Shoreham aerodrome, slightly concussed, and was admitted to Shoreham Hospital.

Newling recovered and was flying again on the 21st, twice, from Tangmere to Church Fenton and from Church Fenton to Drem. He was non-effective sick until 20th August, when he rejoined 145 Squadron.

On 12th October Newling probably destroyed a Me109. He wrote off Hurricane V6856 on the 18th when he overshot the runway landing at Tangmere. He hit a stationary aircraft but escaped unhurt. He was made OC ‘A’ Flight on 11th November 1940.

Newling was awarded the DFC (gazetted 4th February 1941).

He shared a Ju88 on 1st March 1941.

He was killed on 6th July 1941, still with 145, shot down in Circus 35 over the Lille area in Spitfire Va W3366.

Newling is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 29.

In the early morning of Saturday 22, 1997, the BAHA-team decided to try to attempt to uncover the remains of Newlings Hurricane N2600, which had crashed in the garden of the Valckeniers-family. The owner pointed out that the aircraft must be situated under a trunk of rhubarb. He proved to be right. Soon after the first layer of soil was scraped off, small fragments of Hurricane N2600 were found. The team had to dig deeper. A first nice item was a canvas wallet with the first aid kit nearly complete. Soon afterwards the tangled remains of the cockpit-section were discovered. These were put on the surface after which an extensive research was started. In the middle of the tube frame structure, the control column was retracted, as well as the pedals, control levers, armor plating, radio, Austria(!)-made gun-sight, and about 60 % of the cockpit panel. The clock pointed out 17.38, the time the N2600 disappeared in the ground. Another nice finding was the cockpit tarpaulin, with the aircraft's call sign 'G'.

At a depth of five metres, the Rolls-Royce engine was discovered. Although it was badly damaged on the front, with the propeller hub and one prop blade, it still is a very nice and presentable object.

London Gazette 4th February 1941

Runneymede Memorial Panel 29

Michael Alan NEWLING DFC
Flight Lieutenant, 145 Squadron, Royal Air Force. RAF no. 41867
He died on 6 July 1941. He was 21.
He was the son of George A and Dorothy Newling of Barnes
He is remembered on panel 29 of the Runneymede Memorial
Additional information
Oakham, Wharflands, Rugby Colour 1933-1937
He attended Oakham until he was 17 when the family emigrated to New Zealand. He returned 9 months later because of the threat of war and was a trained pilot by the time war was declared.
On 18 May 1940 during an attack against a large number of enemy bombers, he was shot down in Hawker Hurricane Mk 1, N2600 and crashed at Pamel, in enemy territory but he managed to re-gain the Allied lines. His engine and cockpit & cross section were recovered on 22 February 1997.
After covering the evacuation from Dunkirk, the squadron took
part in the Battle of Britain until withdrawn to Scotland in mid-August, returning south in October and converting to Spitfires in February 1941 to make cross channel sweeps.
He was mentioned in despatches on 1 January 1941, awarded the DFC on 4 February 1941 and promoted flight commander.
On 6 July 1941, he was reported missing in action.
He was killed in action in a Spitfire Va (W3366) near Lille.
His war time exploits mean that he is one of 646 Aces
credited with destroying 5 enemy aircraft
His father George had a distinguished record in WW1 with 2nd Royal Marine Battalion and was awarded the MC

Engine Recovery

As the engine stands today in my care