1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane
Airfix' 2013 new tool 1/72 Hurricane shows the aircraft at the beginning of its career with a fabric covered wing, and options for the original wooden two-bladed Watts propellor and the later three-bladed DeHavilland, as well as fuselage underside with and without the ventral fin added in late 1938.
The first RAF squadron to receive the new fighter in late 1937 was 111 Squadron, which showed off its new aircraft at the Villacoublay Air Show in France on Bastille Day 1938. Hawker was also selling their new fighter to various smaller European nations, including Belgium, which took delivery of 20 in 1939.
While a later boxing has markings for a summer 1940 Battle of France RAF Hurricane, the initial kit has only markings for a 1938 111 Squadron unit at Villacoublay and a Belgian unit - with the latter using the three-bladed propellor and ventral fin. I opted for the former, and used the AML camouflage masks. Paints are Vallejo Air underside and Testors Model Master for the camouflage.
The kit is typical of Airfix' new tool kits - extremely good detail, and well-designed. My only complaint was that the decals were on the thick side and I had trouble getting them to lay down, and that the cockpit canopy was too thick to mount in the open position.
Michael,
Stunning model! You may enjoy these Pathe newsreel links showing L1584 and the other 111Squadron Hurricanes taking off from Northolt to head to France (clip starting around 0.23) and the actual Villacoublay Fete d’Air Show, including the 111 Squadron overflight.
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-raf-bombers-demonstration-flight/query/new+RAF+bombers
https://www.britishpathe.com/video/french-air-display-villacoublay/query/Villacoublay
Wouldn't have wanted to be the photographer in an open cockpit shooting that Gladiator formation!
Thanks very much! I knew there had to be some footage out there but had not seen it.
Nice work on this.
Yes indeed, that is a very nice kit, and you have definitely made the most of what was there.
Looks great, Michael (@mcsmith1964). The new Airfix kits make some good looking models, especially with the black/white bottom markings.
I agree. Just picked up one of the new Airfix Spits and it has a different version of the three color underside.
Very nice Hurricane, Michael @mcsmith1964
One of my favorite British aircraft during that era.
You did great on this one.
Excellent early Hurricane, Michael! Glad to hear the new Airfix kit is good!
Well done!
Definitely better looking than a Spitfire, IMHO, as you have so ably demonstrated.
Nice work, great looking Hurricane. Hurricanes are one of my favorite to see built.
Nice looking Hurricane!
Nicely done Michael, looks good.