1:72 Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIc

The real subject

Alongside the Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane was the main British fighter of the first half of the Second World War, and in the Battle of Britain it shot down more German aircraft than any other type. The Mk.IIc version received the Merlin XX engine, a V12, and above all new armament: four 20 mm Hispano cannons in the wings instead of eight machine guns. The heavier firepower made it a versatile machine that served as a night fighter as well as an attack aircraft against ground targets.

The kit

The model in 1:72 scale is injection-molded in polystyrene and is supplied unassembled and unpainted. The parts are separated from the sprues and joined with modeling cement for plastic. The Hurricane has a fabric-covered fuselage structure, which shows on the surface of the model as a fine texture. It pays to avoid that texture when sanding the joints, otherwise the abrasive will wipe it away.

Building and painting tips

Finish the cockpit and mask the glazing before you glue the fuselage together. British fighters wore a two-color camouflage on the upper surfaces and a light shade underneath, and on production machines the transition between the colors was sharp. Pick out the cannon muzzles in a dark shade and leave light firing stains behind them. A gloss coat before the decals helps; on a matte surface a white haze forms under a decal.

Who it is for

The set will please builders of British aircraft of the Second World War and collectors of 1:72 scale. The package contains the kit parts; paints, glue and accessories are not part of it, unless stated otherwise.