Corgi AA32019 Hurricane Mk I – 73 Sqn, Fl Off. E.J. ‘Cobber’ Kain, Rouvres, France, Spring 1940

Edgar James ‘Cobber’ Kain, a New Zealander, joined the RAF in 1936. He was quickly recognized as an outstanding pilot, flying Gladiators with 73 Sqn. In 1938 the squadron converted to Hurricanes and flew to France just 4 days after war was declared. Kain’s first victory, a D017, was achieved on 8th Nov 1939. His career rapidly became one of firsts, first RAF Pilot to claim a Me109E; first WW2 RAF Ace; first to receive the DFC. By 6th June 1940 ‘Cobber’ was the top RAF Ace with 16 kills and one probable and was due to return to England the following day. Leaving Echimenes in a Hurricane he proceeded to ‘beat up’ the airfield but on his third roll the aircraft went into a spin and crashed, killing him instantly. No one knows for sure the serial number of Kain’s Hurricane ‘Paddy III’ but it is likely an early ‘L’ prefix aircraft (possibly L1766). From Sept 1939 all Hurricanes were fitted with a metal wing in place of the early canvas covered wing and any surviving ‘L’ prefix machines were upgraded. This model represents such a modified machine during the height of the Battle of France in the spring of 1940.