Early model of a Hawker Typhoon IB

Photo source : Canadian Air Force site

Meanwhile flying training on the Hurricane continued under W/C Davidson's guidance, and on 31 January No. 439 proudly tried out its first squadron formation. Despite the inevitable breaks due to bad weather, the pilots got in almost 252 hours of flying during the last fortnight of January. (There was also quite a bit of illness before the personnel became acclimatized to Britain's cold, damp weather). Then, having demonstrated their efficiency on the Hurricane, they turned eagerly to the Typhoon and on 2 February the first six, F/Ls McAvity, Saville, Pollock and Dadson, and F/Os Scharff and MacDonald, went solo, followed the next day by F/Os Porritt, Kalen and Elfner.  There was a feeling of urgency in the training as W/C Davidson repeatedly impressed upon the pilots that there was much to learn and very little time for it if the Squadron was to be ready for operations in March.  By 8 February No. 439 was able to join with No. 438 in the first wing formation, led by Davidson who was quite pleased with the show.

Although the Squadron had completed 24 months of flying in Canada without one fatality and only one serious accident, the first few weeks of training in Britain exacted their toll.  On 7 February F/Os Laycock and Moen were doing section tactics practice when their two Hurricanes collided. Laycock's aircraft lost about one foot off each of the propeller blades which were splintered up to the hub, while Moen's machine had about half the starboard elevator and a third of the rudder torn away.  Both pilots got back to the airfield, but "it really took some smart flying to do it.”  Another much more serious accident occurred on the 10th when F/L H.G. McAvity was leading a formation of four Hurricanes over the Firth. After ordering a "break", his aircraft seemed to climb until it stalled and plunged straight down into the sea.  Hugh was the senior flight commander and one of the best liked pilots in the Squadron.  This loss was quickly followed by another on the 2Oth when F/O E.L. Dixon crashed into a hillside near Cumnock, some miles east of Ayr.  The three Typhoons were flying in very poor visibility when; "Dix" lost touch with his two companions and asked for a homing.  He was coming in through the clouds towards base when his aircraft struck the hill.  A member of the Squadron since early December 1942, he had shown ability as an organizer and leader and enjoyed great popularity.

Flight Lieutenant HUGH KAYE McAVITY

Photosource: 439 Sqn archives

Photo currently unavailable.

Flying Officer ELTON LASCELLES DIXON

F/O R.A. Brown and P/O W.D. Burton joined No. 439 as replacements for the two casualties. Both pilots had had some previous operational experience on Typhoons which was a great asset to the Squadron. Tommy Dadson took over command of "A" Flight in succession to Hugh McAvity.