Review by Geoff Coughlin (March 2014)
Kit Ref: A01010
Price around: £5.99 GBP
Our thanks to Airfix for supplying our review sample. Get this kit here now at: www.airfix.com
Background
The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-seat fighter aircraft that was designed and predominantly built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the Royal Air Force (RAF). Although largely overshadowed by the Supermarine Spitfire, the aircraft became renowned during the Battle of Britain, accounting for 60% of the RAF’s air victories in the battle, and served in all the major theatres of the Second World War.
The 1930’s design evolved through several versions and adaptations, resulting in a series of aircraft which acted as interceptor-fighters, fighter-bombers (also called “Hurribombers”), and ground support aircraft. Further versions known as the Sea Hurricane had modifications which enabled operation from ships. Some were converted as catapult-launched convoy escorts, known as “Hurricats”. More than 14,000 Hurricanes were built by the end of 1944 (including at least 800 converted to Sea Hurricanes and some 1,400 built in Canada by Canadian Car and Foundry).
First production version, with fabric-covered wings, a wooden two-bladed, fixed-pitch propeller, powered by the 1,030 hp (768 kW) Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk II or III engines and armed with eight .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns. Produced between 1937 and 1939.
A revised Hurricane Mk I series built with a de Havilland or Rotol constant speed metal propeller, metal-covered wings, armour and other improvements. In 1939, the RAF had taken on about 500 of this later design to form the backbone of the fighter squadrons.
Early Hawker Hurricane Mk.I kits from Airfix
Back in January 2014 we reviewed this new kit from the manufacturer and you can see that review here – this edition, following on only a few months after the above Early 2-bladed, fabric-winged Hurricane is essentially the same kit. All the differs this time is a new decal sheet featuring one 3-bladed aircraft of No.85 Squadron, France May 1940.you get the 3-bladed prop this time too but the Early fabric wing is still present.
I have included my full review for the Early Hurricane Mk.I below with some additional comments and amendments to reflect this new release.