Hawker Hurricane Mk. IIc Trop. (REAF, No. 17/2 Combined Squadron, 1944). In most available photographs, the paintwork of the Hawker Hurricanes of No. 17/2 Combined Squadron appears considerably worn, probably indicating that these pictures were taken after the machines had been carrying out shipping protection patrols for a long time. They had been transferred directly to the REAF rather than being allocated to a British squadron, and so were almost new when they came to the REAF. Their colours are usually shown as “sand and stone”: actually, it was dark green and slate grey with light grey underneath, which was the standard Mediterranean and European scheme adopted by the RAF later in the war. The colours of the crescent and three pyramids motif painted on the noses of these Hurricanes is unknown but might have been based upon the green and white elements of the Egyptian flag. The black serial number LB548 on the rear fuselage shows that this machine had been built between April and September 1943. Here the Hurricane has also been provided with longrange additional fuel tanks beneath its wings, suitable for the convoy protection work. (Artwork by Peter Penev)