I was perusing the vendors at a local scale model show/competition some years back when I came across a vendor advertising rare and/or OOP kits and accessories. Being a bit of a collector (aren't we all at some level?) I decided to give this particular vendor the once over twice. While looking through a box of resin aircraft accessories, I came across a 1/32 resin Hawker Hurricane cockpit for the Revell kit manufactured by MDC. I believe the asking price was either $10 or $15. Well, at the time, I did not build 1/32 nor did I have the Revell 1/32 Hawker Hurricane kit, but I bought the cockpit anyway because I could never pass up a bargain. The cockpit sat in my spares box for the longest time until I decided to do this project.
So, what did I get for my $10/$15? I got twenty-one resin parts that were warped and a few of them were broken. Rather than trying to scratch build a Hurricane cockpit, I decided to work with the MDC resin. Most of the frame parts were set straight by dipping in hot water and bending to shape. Not exactly 100% straight, but close enough. Other parts had to have a piece of brass or stock plastic glued to them in order to get them straight. All parts were further detailed where needed. MDC does not include a rear bulkhead, nor instructions in how to make one, so I just modified the kit part. MDC does not included a port sidewall either and this had to be scratch-built.
All in all, I am happy with the cockpit so far, even though a lot of it will no longer be viewable once the fuselage halves have been closed.
21 attached images. Click to enlarge.
