Hawker Hurricane Wreck

Hawker Hurricane I P3175 was built by the Gloster Aircraft Company and issued to No. 257 Squadron in August 1940. From 17 August onwards it was flown most often by Pilot Officer Gerard Hamilton Maffett.

On 31 August 1940, Maffett was one of the pilots of No. 257 Squadron who intercepted Messerschmitt Bf 110s over Clacton. He was shot down during the dogfight and P3175 crashed at Walton-on-the-Naze. Maffett’s body was recovered and buried in Bray, Berkshire. Most of the Hurricane’s wreckage was left where it crashed but, in 1971, coastal erosion began to expose it and, in 1973, the wreckage was recovered. Objects forming part of the wreck are: Engine - 79/E/1723 Machine gun - 1992/0223/O