Sea Hurricanes from 800 NAS based on HMS Biter took part in Operation Torch, the 1942 Anglo American invasion of Vichy French North Africa. This aircraft JS 327 was belly landed on one of the invasion beaches with either battle damage or mechanical failure.
JS 327 was a Canadian built Mk XII, essentially a Sea Hurricane Mk II but with the 12 gun wing. As our Sea Hurricane Mk I does not have this armament option, I have painted the extra guns ports and hatches on.
The US style markings were an attempt to prevent the French defenders firing on British aircraft. It was known that the French armed forces in the area had a particular hatred of the Royal Navy ever since the RN had attacked the French fleet there in 1940 to prevent it being used by the Germans. However prior to their surrender the French defenders fired on US aircraft as much as British ones, so it made no difference.
RN Sea Hurricanes had a number of engagements against Vichy French MS 406s which they generally got the better of. In one of these several RN aircraft were equipped with an experimental Canadian built G suit, the first time such a suit was ever used in combat.
