LF363 currently wears the colours of Hurricane Mk 1 P3878 ‘YB-W’, the aircraft of Flying Officer Harold ‘Birdy’ Bird-Wilson of No 17 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Prior to the war ‘Birdy’ had been badly burned in a flying accident. After his recovery, he rejoined his squadron in April 1940 and fought continuously through the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain, achieving 6 confirmed kills, sharing in the destruction of several other enemy aircraft and being awarded the DFC. His luck ran out on 24th September 1940 when he had to bale out of a flaming ‘YB-W’ after being shot down over the Thames Estuary. ‘Birdy’ went on to fly Spitfires, became a Wing Leader and survived the war, retiring as an Air Vice Marshal having been awarded the CBE, DSO, DFC and bar and the AFC and bar. He died in August 2000, aged 80.*

*With thanks to the BBMF website.