Hawker Hurricane Mk.I
Early Fabric Wing Version

Classic Airframes

Reviewed by Steven "Modeldad" Eisenman

Classic Airframes' 1/48 Fabric Wing Hurricane Mk.I is available online from Squadron.com

The Hawker Hurricane - Britain’s first modern monoplane combat aircraft; Battle for France, Battle of Britain. One of my favorite aircraft.

I’ve said enough already.


 

This is without a doubt the finest kit released by Classic Airframes. This kit is about as close to a Hasegawa molding that a limited run kit can get. It is my understanding that this kit was produced by a company other than MPM, and the change clearly shows.

The first thing you notice is that the fuselage fabric is restrained and looks nothing like Hasegawa’s corrugated Quonset hut of a fuselage. The fabric ribbing on the wings, while distinct, is also restrained and well represented.

Unlike previous CA kits, the cockpit is in injection molded plastic with only the seat in resin. The tubular cockpit framing is well represented.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

Now for the options.

• Propeller – Watts two blade, De Havilland three blade and Rotol three blade (this one is the bulbous blunt one and this puts Hasegawa’s to shame).

• Exhausts – a choice between the early kidney (resin) or second production extended ejector stacks (injection plastic).

• Fuselage – With or without the keel, and the appropriate rudder.

• Landing Lights – Molded on or resin replacements with clear vac covers. Wing Guns – Molded on or resin replacement inserts.

• Separate elevators. Early style and later style canopy (Although the armored windscreen is not represented.).

• Venturi or pitot tube.

The wheel well is done quite nicely in resin, but you must remove a 1/4 inch thick molding block the size of the well. This can be done with a wide blade razor saw or using a sanding disk chucked in a variable speed drill - see my discussion of this at: http://www.rollmodels.net/nreviews/airplanes/firefly/firefly.php

In looking at the exhaust, I would recommend that backing plates should be fabricated to help secure them in the fuselage.

I realize that this is a first look, but I would like add some notes and to clarify some of the option application that are not clear in the painting guide so as to help you as you run headlong into putting together a half-dozen or so of this great aircraft model. It appears that all the aircraft, both RAF and Foreign had the early style canopy.

RAF

111Squadron L1555 flown by John Gillan: Venturi and second production ejector stack. Although every picture of a 111 Squadron aircraft in this serial range shows kidney style exhausts, I have a picture of this aircraft after it completed its record run. It seems this aircraft was fitted with the later type exhaust. Also, the evidence seems to point to a black outline on the 111.

56 Squadron: Venturi and kidney exhausts.

1 Squadron and 151 Squadron: I believe both of these aircraft had second series extended ejector stacks and a pitot tube.

Foreign

I believe all aircraft had the second series extended ejector stacks and a pitot tube.

The Yugoslav and Italian aircraft are Zmaj produced. A British produced Hurricane can be done using the Watts propeller and either the kidney or extended stack and a pitot tube – check your references. Won’t that look nice sitting next to a Bf 109 E also in Yugoslav markings!

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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Of course with appropriate references and a good decal spares collection, you can do Hurricanes for which CA did not have room on its decals sheets. More RAF Hurricanes, a Turkish Hurricane or one of the Hurricanes destined for Poland, but never delivered. A Hurricane with red and white Polish checkerboards, that would look great!

I usually recommend Classic Airframes' models for moderately experienced to experienced modelers. But, with this kit, it looks like even a relatively inexperienced modeler could produce a great model of a beautiful aircraft. With the beautiful decal artwork and the number of options provided for, it will be hard to resist buying a good number of both Hurricane kits.

It is only my opinion, but I truly believe that Classic Airframes has outdone itself with this kit. A new standard has been set.



Review sample provided courtesy of Classic Airframes.

Classic Airframes kits are available worldwide through hobby retailers and from Squadron.com

Review and Images Copyright © 2003 by Steven Eisenman
Page Created 08 April, 2003
Last updated 15 August, 2003

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