The Best Airfix Hawker Hurricane

One of the greatest fighter aircraft of WWll, this version fought alongside the Spitfire and actually shot down and destroyed more aircraft during the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940 than it’s even more famous partner!.

The Hurricane was developed as a replacement for the RAFs pre-war bi-plane fighters, such as the Hawker Fury and Gloster Gauntlet. Considered revolutionary when it was unveiled in 1935, by the start of WWII the earliest versions with fabric covered wings and two bladed propellers had fallen behind the performance of the best German fighters. Nevertheless, once fitted with 3-blade propellers these early Hurricanes were very successful during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The rugged and reliable Hawker Hurricane was arguably the most important fighter aircraft available to the Royal Air Force at the beginning of WWII. Easier to produce and more forgiving to fly than the more glamorous Spitfire, the Hurricane was available in much greater numbers than any other fighter at the time of the Battle of Britain and proved decisive in securing eventual victory for the pilots of the RAF. Early RAF operations in the Mediterranean and North Africa saw small numbers of Hurricane Mk.I fighters pitted against vastly superior numbers of Regia Aeronautical aircraft. They proved to be more than a match for anything the Italian Air Force could hurl at them, but the arrival of battle hardened Luftwaffe fighters in 1941 saw a change in fortunes. Many of the Hurricanes were ‘Tropicalized’ and arrived in theatre with the chin mounted Vokes carburetor dust filter, which significantly altered the profile of the Hawker fighter.

Having proved itself during the savage dogfighting of the battle of Britain, the Hawker HURRICANE would also make a valuable contribution in protecting the vital sea lanes from German attack, both above and below the water. Modified with the addition of catapult spools and a fuselage mounted arrester hook, sea Hurricanes were embarked aboard Britain’s diminutive aircraft carriers from mid 1941. As British shipping losses in the Atlantic began to mount, it became clear that the royal Navy needed a fast, capable monoplane fighter that could be operated effectively at sea. At this time, the British fighter of the moment was the Supermarine Spitfire, but all production was destined for the RAF who were desperate to replace the losses suffered during the battle of Britain and the Navy would be disappointed. Even though other aircraft were favoured by the Navy, such as the American Wildcat, the venerable Hawker HURRICANE was selected for the task and once again this superbly versatile aircraft answered its country call. Initially operating from rocket powered catapults mounted on specially modified merchant vessels, all the early naval Hurricanes were refurbished, war weary RAF machines, but they provided the convoys with invaluable aerial support in the battle against axis Raiders. The later sea HURRICANE ib was equipped with catapult spools, an arrester hook and a multitude of additional modifications to ensure effective operation at sea. These fighters operated from Britain’s relatively small aircraft carriers and specially converted merchant vessels, known as Mac ships. The large wing area and forgiving handling qualities of the HURRICANE made it particularly suitable for operation from the rolling deck of an aircraft carrier at sea and it provided excellent service until more capable British and American naval fighters became available. Please note, box and A05134 dimensions are shown as identical however only represent the box/package size.

Britain’s most pressing need was for aircraft and in 1940, the British Purchasing Commission approached US aircraft manufacturer North American Aviation, to produce license-built Curtiss P-40 fighters for the RAF. Slightly indignant at the prospect, North American officials proposed to build a totally new aircraft for the Royal Air Force, which would be superior to the P-40 and more suitable for their needs. So impressive was their pitch, the British agreed to their proposal and signed a contract for the new aircraft. Unfortunately, time was very much against the North American design team, as Britain desperately needed aircraft without delay. Work on the new project began immediately. What North American Aviation achieved with their new aircraft design was nothing short of astonishing. Incorporating highly advanced new features and the very latest manufacturing techniques, the prototype aircraft (NA-73X) rolled out of their hangar on 9thSeptember 1940, only 120 days after the contract had been signed. The first flight of the aircraft took place just 47 days later and other than the usual issues associated with a first flight, the aircraft showed great promise and was a clear vindication of the confidence North American Aviation had in their design capabilities. Please note images are digital renders and subject to change. Produced under license by Boeing. The distinctive Boeing logos, product markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company. Please note, box and model dimensions are shown as identical however only represent the box/package size.

Few aircraft in the history of aerial warfare can boast the impact and combat credentials of the Grumman F6F Hellcat, one of the finest fighting machines ever to take to the skies. A product of the already successful Grumman ‘Ironworks’, the company’s design philosophy was only to produce aircraft which were easy to manufacture and maintain and must be reliable in a combat situation. Importantly, it must be an effective combat aircraft and able to be mastered by the average wartime pilot following a standard conversion period. This no nonsense approach ensured that the Hellcat was ready to fight and available in some numbers when they eventually reached US Navy units in 1943. Despite its combat introduction taking place relatively late in the war, the Hellcat would prove to be the ‘mount of aces’ and unquestionably ruled the skies of the Pacific Theater. Posting some astonishing statistics, it has veen reported that almost 75% of all aerial victories claimed by US Navy Pilots were attributed to the Hellcat, which earned an impressive combat kill ratio of 19 to 1 in the Pacific Theater. Although combat claims can be notoriously difficult to corroborate, this meant that on average, nineteen enemy aircraft were destroyed for the loss of a single Hellcat, a statistic which could not be bettered by any other combat aircraft of WWII. Perhaps the most impressive combat statistic earned by the Gumman Hellcat was that made ‘Aces’ of no fewer than 305 US airmen, each one claiming five victories or more. Can be built with wings open or folded. Includes full cockpit detail with open or closed canopy options. Complete fully detailed radial engine, engine mount and all ancillaries. Separate engine cowling and forward fuselage panels. Detailed undercarriage, undercarriage bays and arrestor hook with options to build with wheels up or down. Fully detailed gun bays with complete machine guns and ammunition trays. Can be built with closed or extended landing flaps. Poseable control surfaces and trim tabs. Realistic surface detailing showing rivets, fasteners and rippled ‘stressed skin. ‘ Drop tanks (2 types), 250Ib and 500Ib bombs and rockets all included. Includes a choice of four decal schemes.

From the Manufacturer

The 20mm cannon armed MkIIc also included a hardpoint for a 500 lb or 250 lb bomb, and later in 1941, fuel tanks. By then performance was inferior to the latest German fighters, and the Hurricane changed to the ground-attack role. The mark also served as a night fighter and “intruder.”

The Boulton-Paul Defiant was the only ‘turret fighter’ to enter service with the RAF. The Defiant used the philosophy that a fighter aircraft, armed solely with a turret bristling with machine guns would be able to enter a bomber stream causing havoc and the turret would also enable it to defend itself from enemy fighters. During its first few engagements during the Battle of Britain in 1940, enemy pilots were taken by surprise and the Defiant fared well but soon the Luftwaffe pilots worked out its weaknesses, especially the lack of forward firing guns and the Defiant was soon relegated to night fighting duties were it fared better. Humbrol Enamel paints for the kit’s primary decal scheme (Paints not Included): Shade 24- Trainer Yellow AA0264 Shade 29- Dark Earth AA0312 Shade 30- Dark Green AA0326 Shade 33- Black AA0360 Shade 53- Gunmetal AA0583 Shade 56- Aluminum AA0610 Shade 61- Flesh AA0669 Shade 72- Khaki Drill AA0792 Shade 78- Cockpit Green AA0864 Shade 85- Coal Black AA0936 Shade 90- Beige Green AA0998 Shade 96- RAF Blue A1064.

The Hawker Hurricane was the RAF’s most vital fighter in the early years of WWII. These tough, partly fabric covered monoplane fighters put in a valiant defence against the numerically superior Luftwaffe during the Blitzkrieg. Although slower than the Messerschmitt Bf109, and with a less destructive armament, the Hurricane was able to turn tighter, and absorb considerable punishment.