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| Hawker Hurricane Mk I P2544 YK (T) by M A Kinnear.
Aircraft History: P2544 was one of 729 Mk I Hawker Hurricanes built by Glosters at Hucclecote and delivered to the RAF between November 1939 and July 1940. One of the first delivered to No.274 in North Africa, Autumn 1940, P2544 served with the squadron until Spring 1941 when it was sent to No.71 OTU. Severely damaged on 6th June 1941 after a forced landing at Ismailia, the aircraft was used as an instructional airframe, until struck off charge.
Flight Lieutenant Arthur Adrian Percy Weller, DFC: Born 21st December 1917 in Watford Hertfordshire, Sam Weller was posted to No.80 Squadron at Amriya near Alexandria in September 1939. His fellow officers included the legendary Pat Pattle and Imshi Mason. Soon after the outbreak of war with Italy, Weller achieved his first success witha shared probable, shooting down an Italian SM79 with Flying Officer G F Graham. In August 1940 Weller transferred with No.80 Squadrons Hurricane flight to form the nucleus of the newly reformed No.274 Squadron under the command of Squadron Leader P H Dunn. During the months which followed, the Squadron operated from various locations in the Western Desert, which were often little more than landing grounds and sand and scrub. Weller flew P2544 on several offensive patrols in the Bardia area in November and December 1940. Whilst flying Hurricane V7300 on 14th December 1940, he shot down an SM79 aircraft with a second one unconfirmed. Five days later he fired at seven SM79 aircraft setting one on fire. His own aircraft was riddled with bullets, but he landed safely. On 27th April 1941, he undertook a lone attack on enemy aircraft at Benina near Benghazi, a mission which required him to fly 880 miles. Pressing home his attack with great skill he destroyed seven Ju52s causing heavy casualties to the troops on board them. For this action he was awarded an immediate DFC. The following month Weller took part in the defence of Crete and on 27th May damaged his Hurricane at Heraklion. Unable to get away from the island, he was eventually evacuated and returned to Egypt, finally being posted to No.71 OTU as an instructor. On 13th December 1941, when the unit was stationed at Gordons Tree near Khartoum, he was tragically killed in a flying accident.
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