Modeling the Hawker Hurricane in 1/72 Scale

MODELING THE HAWKER HURRICANE IN 1/72 SCALE

BY BRIAN R. BAKER

HISTORY

 The Hawker Hurricane was one of the most famous fighter aircraft every developed, and although eclipsed by its stablemate, the Supermarine Spitfire, it earned its fame during the Battle of Britain, and carried on after 1940 in a variety of roles, including fighter, close support aircraft using both bombs and rockets, and  reconnaissance.  In addition to its use by the Royal Air Force and Navy, the type was exported to Belgium, Turkey, Poland, Finland, Portugal, Iran, India, Ireland, the Netherlands East Indies, Romania, France, Yugoslavia, Egypt, and the Soviet Union.   Captured examples were flown by the Italians, Germans, and Japanese. They were even flown in U.S. markings by the Royal Navy during the North African “Torch” landings in 1942. For a detailed history of the type, refer to one of the many sources of information available listed in the Reference section at the end of the article.

 This series will cover the 1/72 scale Hawker Hurricane kits that have appeared over the years. From the late thirties, when the Frog Penguin series of plastic kits was produced, a plastic model of the Hurricane has always been available if you knew where to look.  During World War II,  black plastic identification models of the Hurricane were produced by the British and Americans, and no doubt the Germans also. These were used for recognition training, and were reasonably accurate. In fact, it was the recognition model that formed the basis for the upsurge in a/72 scale modeling that occurred after the war, as plans were available for these models, and many of us got our start using military produced drawings and templates to make accurate wooden models before the large scale availability of plastic kits.

The Frog Penguin kits, numbered 48P and 048P, were produced at the beginning of the war. Many of these went straight to the RAF, where they were used for training.  In the U.S., a number of companies manufactured black plastic identification models for the same purpose, and these were to be found at military bases throughout the world.  A Navy program allowed high school woodworking students to make wooden scale models from Navy- supplied plans and templates, and these were also painted black and shipped off to military installations. It gave the kids a chance to be involved in the war effort, and produced a lot of air-minded kids. 

Postwar, until about 1950, Frog produced the Penguin series of kits. These were phased out, and shortly thereafter, the plastic modeling boom began. Frog produced a Hurricane Mk. IIC (F171, F188, and F188F) while Airfix, a new competitor, began producing a Hurricane IV RP, which was surprisingly accurate for its day.  The rivet detail was overdone, as was the custom of the day, and the surface detail would make an aerodynamicist shudder and the drag it would have produced on the areal airplane.

In the early sixties, Revell, got into the act, producing a series of World War I and II aircraft which included a Hurricane I.  This kit had some accuracy issues,  but for its day, it was state-of-the-art.  It was still available up until about 1990, but serious modelers would not consider it by then, as much better kits were available.

Meanwhile, overseas, a number of new companies were producing kits.  Keilkraft, a British firm, produced only two aircraft kits in 1/72 scale, a Sopwith Camel and a Hurricane. Although the plans state that they give credit to Hawker Aircraft for supplying information for the kit, there is minimal detail and some dimensional errors. I bought one years ago, but have never built it.  Another firm, Aoshima, produced a 1/782 scale Hurricane in the middle sixties. I recall seeing the kit years ago and was not impressed enough to buy it.

In the early seventies, the British firm Matchbox introduced a series of 1/72 scale plastic kits. They produced some excellent kits for the time, some of which are still good today.  Their Hawker Fury biplane was a little gem, as were the Siskin and Fairey Seafox. Their Hurricane, a Mk. II with parts for a Mk.IID version, was not quite as good.  The panel lines were very much overdone, as was the surface detail, and the interior was pretty bare.  However, it looked like a Hurricane, and that is the point.

In the late seventies, the French Firm Heller, which had previously concentrated on French aircraft, began branching out with such types as the Gladiator, Tempest, Spitfire, and Hurricane Mk. IIC.  It was a good kit at the time, and still can be made into a nice model. It has been reissued many times, and may still be available.  The Polish firm Smer has reissued it in recent years. Another firm, Sanwa-Tokyo Plamo, issued a Hurricane IIC kit about this time, but I have no information on it.  It might be a rebox of another kit.

In the late eighties, Hasegawa’s first Hurricanes were issued.  Their kit was excellently done, with realistic detail and  accurate outlines.  Over the years, they have reissued the kit with different parts and new decals at least eight times, with both Mk. I and Mk. II types represented. They are still state-of –the-art today, although aftermarket parts have become available for them. These are still available from on-line dealers and from local hobby shops in a variety of versions and markings.

The first genuinely different kit came from Sword, who produced a pretty decent kit of a fabric-wing Mk. I with the two bladed Watts propeller.  This appeared in the late nineties, and is probably still available. About the same time, Revell-Germany issued a series of new Hurricane kits, replacing the outdated 1960’s kit, and these kits depicted the Mk. IIB and the Sea Hurricane Mk. IIC.

A Czech firm, Omega Models, has produced a fairly extensive line of resin kits.  I have not seen their Hurricane kits, but I have the LWF V biplane resin kit, and it looks pretty good.  Omega currently produces  no less than nine different variations of the Hurricane, mostly unbuilt projects or types built in prototype form only.  Some of these would have been extensive conversions if done from scratch.  I have not seen any of these, so I cannot comment on their accuracy, but they apparently are complete kits, not merely add-on conversions.  Any help on these would be appreciated.

A recent arrival in the Hurricane stable is the Korean Academy kit of the Mk. IIC.  This kit is copyrighted 1997, and has a considerably amount of detail.  And finally, the Chinese Hobby Boss Hurricane IIC has appeared, marketed by Squadron.  It again is a MK. IIC, and is dated 2005. It is a quick-build kit, and makes up into a credible Mk. IIC.

 DOCUMENTATION

 Please keep in mind that most reviewers check a kit’s outline for “accuracy” by referring to specific sets of drawings in that particular scale. There is certainly no shortage of drawings of the Hurricane in any scale, and some of them differ.  Therefore, I have not made any value judgments concerning accuracy in outline unless the problem is very obvious.  To say that a kit is inaccurate because it doesn’t conform to the particular set of drawings I happen to be looking at would be patently unfair. If the kit “looks” like a Hurricane, that is enough. I’ve seen a couple in the flesh, and have a pretty good idea what they look like. 

 FROG PENGUIN KITS

These kits are extremely rare today,  and are most prized for their historic value.  By 1939, Frog had produced a Hurricane Mk. 1. By 1941, production of plastic models for the civilian market had ceased, but Frog continued manufacturing identification models for the armed forces.  Frog continued to advertise their models in wartime periodicals, but the 1942 issue of “Aircraft of the Fighting Powers”, which provided data and 1/72 scale three view drawings of contemporary aircraft, did not include a Frog advertisement.  These kits were numbered 48P and 048P. Possibly, the 048P were postwar kits.

After the war, Frog resumed production of the Penguin series, and presumably the Hurricane, but discontinued the series in the late forties, only to reintroduce 1/72 scale model production in the early fifties.  New molds were used for these kits.

 RECOGNITION MODELS

During the war, various American firms produced 1/72 scale black plastic recognition models for the military.  In addition, high schools were given packets of information, consisting of three view drawings and templates on manila-type card. These were intended for students in woodworking classes to construct accurate wooden models of the various types of military aircraft. The models were painted black and distributed to military bases, and were used for recognition training.  They were in all respects identical to the black plastic models being produced.  A copy of the template for the Hurricane is included.

 THE FROG HURRICANE MK. II

The Frog Hurricane was produced from the mid fifties up until at least the eighties, and has appeared under the labels of AMT, Bienengraber, Dutch master, Farmtex, Hema, Humbrol, Intech, Lotnia, Minicraft, Minix, Novo, Novoexport,  Remus, Roly Toys, and Tashigrushka in addition to the Frog label. Coded DF171, F188, and F188F, the model was a Mk. IIC, and included bomb racks and underwing rocket racks for the RP version.   The example I have is part of an AMT “Famous Fighters Series” of three models in one box, including Frog’s Fokker D.XXI and Macchi C.202. These were marketed in the U.S. in the sixties and seventies. There are subdued but raised panel lines, and all control surfaces are separate. In its day, it was considered to be a pretty good kit, but today, it is, of course, obsolete. My example was built in the late sixties, and I keep it only to show how much better things have progressed over the years.

 THE AIRFIX HURRICANE MK. IV RP (OLD MOLD)

 This was Airfix’s first Hurricane kit, originally numbered 92, but subsequently issued as 02042, 272, 903044, and 903182. The numbers on my example are Code No. 02042-0, and Cat. No. 272. It was a Series 2 kit, which was a price range. Although the Box says Hurricane Mk. IV RP, the instructions say that a Mk. I, Mk. IIB or a Mk. IV can be built.  Decals are provided for three aircraft:  RF-C, a Battle of Britain Mk. I of No. 303 Squadron;  AE-K, and AE-K, a Mk. IIB of No. 402 Squadron; and  FJ-C, a Mk. IV RP of a squadron not identified but from the colors, apparently based in England.  The kit is reasonably accurate considering its age, but the fuselage and nose shape are definitely a Mk. II or later version. Rivets and surface details are overdone, and there is no real cockpit or wheel well detail. This kit is also obsolete.  Airfix did not date its products at the time, so it is impossible to state precisely when the kit was first produced, but my guess would be late fifties through mid sixties. Strangely enough, the kit is still available, and is listed in Squadron’s current catalog as a Mk. I/II.

 THE AIRFIX HURRICANE MK. I (NEW MOLD)

Airfix produced new molds for their Hurricane kit in 1978, although the Humbrol version that I have is copyrighted 1986, and it was coded 02067 and possibly other numbers. It was now a Mk. I, with much better surface detail although still lacking in cockpit interior and wheel well detail.  It has the Rotol prop, which appears to be quite accurate, and can be used to do any of the earlier versions except the fabric wing model.  An aftermarket producer, Guano, produced a two bladed  Watts prop for this kit, and I believe that some early metal wing aircraft had this prop, although most had either the thin bladed DeHavilland prop or the wider chord Rotol.  This kit has rudimentary cockpit detail in a seat and an instrument panel, but has subdued but raised panel lines and raised rivets.  It is still available from some sources, and can still be made up into an acceptable model. Besides, it is very inexpensive compared to more modern issues.

THE REVELL HURRICANE MK. I   (OLD MOLD)

 In 1963, Revell began issuing an extensive series of 1/72 scale kits of World War I and II fighters and other types. One of the first was a Mk. I Hurricane, issued at various times as H54, H79, H226, H616, P616, 0054, and 4118.  By 1970, a “Dogfight Doubles” series was marketed, with two kits in one box. This issue paired the Hurricane Mk. I with the Focke Wulf FW-190A. Both of these, by modern standards, were pretty poor kits.  Rivet detail was heavy,  and panel lines were etched in rather heavily without too much concern about accuracy. The nose shape indicates a Mk. II, and the basic outline leaves a lot to be desired. This is an old kit, and not worth the consideration of a serious modeler. This mold was abandoned when Revell’s assets were shipped to Germany, and it bears no relationship to the excellent new Revell Hurricane kits currently coming out of Germany. My example was built in the sixties, and shows its age.

 KEILKRAFT HURRICANE MK. II

 Between 1958 and 1960, the E. Keil & Co. Ltd, of Wickford, Essex, produced two 1/72 scale plastic model kits.   Kit Number F-1 was a Hawker Hurricane Mk. II, while F-2 was a Sopwith Camel.  These kits were consistent with their age, with heavy detailing and lack of interior detail. There were some serious outline problems, and the cannon were mounted about one scale foot too far outboard.  The instructions give credit to Hawker Aircraft for supplying information related to the production of the kit.  A collector’s item only, it should not be considered by the serious modeler.

 AOSHIMA HURRICANE MK. II

 This kit, No. 108,  was  first offered by Aoshima, or Aosima (both spellings are used),  a Japanese firm that later produced some much better kits.  I have never seen one, but I have seen some of their other kits from the time period. This dates back to the middle sixties, and if it was consistent with their other kits of the period, there are much better kits out there at competitive prices.

 THE MATCHBOX HURRICANE II

 About 1972, Lesney-Matchbox produced a series of kits in 1/72 scale, some of which are considered to be classics today. Their Hawker Fury and Armstrong Whitworth Siskin are little gems, and some of their other kits are not far behind.  Although the kit was basically accurate, the Hurricane II was not one of these. These were issued with the numbers PK-11 and 40011.  Plagued by “trench” panel lines, the kit was designed for children with modest modeling skills, and details, such as cockpit interior and wheel wells, were almost ignored.  However, the kit is reasonably accurate in outline, and actually looks like a Hurricane when completed. If you use enough paint, the panel lines will fill in somewhat, and  the result is not too bad. This one is not currently available, as the molds were apparently obtained by Revell-Germany, who now produce a much better Hurricane.

 THE HELLER HURRICANE MK. IIC

 Heller branched out from purely French aircraft in the late fifties, although their best kits seem to be French aircraft not produced by anyone else.  In the early sixties, the Hurricane II appeared,  numbered 052, 152, 269, 79832, and 80269, and by the standards of the day, it was a very good kit. Number 79832 may have been the reboxed Airfix Mk. I, produced after Heller merged with Airfix.   It has very petite detail, and although the panel lines are raised, they are so fine as to be acceptable.  Athough there is no sidewall detail in the cockpit, the floor, seat, instrument panel, control column and gunsight are all quite good, especially considering the time the model was produced.  This kit is still worth getting and building.

 SMER HURRICANE MK. II

The Polish Smer issue, SE0842,  is most probably a rebox of the Heller kit.  Much of their material is from other sources, although their FW-190 issues were original, and very poor. I have not seen one.

 SANWA-TOKYO PLAMO HURRICANE MK. IIC

 This kit, numbered 558, was issued in an “Aces Series”. Date and origins are unknown.

 HASEGAWA HURRICANE MK. I AND II.

 In keeping with their tradition, Hasegawa issued a series of Hurricane kits, probably dating back to the late eighties, differing primarily in decals and some kit parts.  They were basically accurate, although some aftermarket details have become available to improve these models, such as the Quick Boost Hurricane II prop, which is much better than the one provided in the kit.  These are broken down as follows:

 AP?        Hurricane Mk. I                 “Douglas Bader”

AP152   Hurricane Mk. I                 Night Fighter

AP138   Hurricane Mk. IB              Battle of Britain

AP140   Hurricane Mk. I                 Finnish Air Force

00274    Hurricane Mk. I                 No. 274 Sqdn, RAF

AP38      Hurricane Mk. IIC             RAF

AP147   Hurricane Mk. IIC             Yugoslavia

AP132   Hurricane Mk. IID             RAF. Europe and North Africa

AP150   Hurricane Mk. II                                Eagle Sqdn.

733         Hurricane Mk. IIC             North Africa

 There may be more than those listed above. These are basically very good kits, although they are a little on the expensive side.  Detail and outline are exceptional on these kits, and they are certainly worth getting to round out your Hurricane collection.

 SWORD

 This firm from the Czech Republic had the foresight and originality to produce a version of the Hurricane that everyone else, to this point, had neglected.  This was kit No. 7212, the fabric wing Mk. I with the Merlin II engine and Watts two bladed propeller.  It is an excellent kit, and although not Hasegawa quality, it is close, and it  goes together quite easily, and the result is certainly worth the effort. It is accurate, with good interior detail, and fills a gap formerly not possible without an awful lot of effort in modifying the wing. Don’t miss out on this one.

 REVELL GERMANY HURRICANE MK. II (NEW MOLDS)

 In the nineties, Revell-Germany issued some new kits in 1/72 scale.  Some were reissues of older American Revell kits, and a few were from Matchbox and Monogram, but one of the better issues was the Hurricane Mk. II, which was issued in at least three versions:

04138    Hurricane Mk. IIB

04183    Hurricane Mk. IIB  Possibly a misprint on the boxtop, but I’ve seen both numbers.

14184    Sea Hurricane Mk. IIC with tailhook.

 This kit is state of the art, and surface, interior, and wheel well detail are excellent.  It  is well worth getting.

 ACADEMY HURRICANE MK. IIC

 Academy, a Korean firm, first began producing kits in the 1980’s, and their first Hurricanes in 1/72 scale were available by 1997.  The issues, 1673, 2129, and 4438, all depict Hurricane Mk. IIC’s, and they have excellent detail, including side panels in the cockpit interior. The only problem is that the windshield is too narrow, resulting in a strange looking canopy.  These are good kits, comparable to the best.

 OMEGA MODELS HURRICANES

 Omega Models, located in the Czech Republic,  have, from 2003, produced a number of resin kits of various types not available in injection molded kits. I’ve never seen one of their Hurricanes, but I do have one of their biplane kits,  the LWF V, and it is an excellent kit in all respects, one of the better resin kits I’ve seen. The Hurricanes they list are mostly conversions or projects, some of which may or may not have been actually built, sort of an RAF-46 concept. They appear to be complete kits, not just conversion sets.  These would be very involved conversions from existing kits, and the resin kits solve that problem.  They are pricey, as most resin kits are, but if they are up to the quality standard of the biplane I have, they are probably worth getting.  Check their listings at www.omega-models.com

Their listings are as follows:

72-172                   Hurricane Mk. II on Floats

72-195                   Hurricane Mk. II “Grifon” (Probably a test bed with Griffon engine)

72-167                   Hurricane Mk. II “Hercules” (Test bed with Bristol Hercules).

72-179                   Hurricane Mk. IIB “Training”  Russian two seat trainer.

72-201                   Hurricane Mk. II “USSR Armament”  Soviet 20 mm cannon & rockets.

72-233                   Hurricane Mk. II Trainer.  Iranian Two Seat Trainer Conversion. (Postwar)

72-166                   Hurricane Mk. XII  Skis, Canadian.  CCF produced version with skis & new prop.

72-231                   Hurricane  PR Mk. IIB  Reconnaissance version with F.24 cameras.

72-230                   Hurricane PR Mk. IIC  Reconnaissance version with F.24 Cameras.

 These are all priced between 29 and 34 euros.  Check their website for details.

 THE HOBBY BOSS HURRICANE MK. IIC

 This is a quick-build kit, No. 80215, with minimum parts and fairly decent detail for the type of kit that it is. It is essentially accurate in outline, although the radiator scoop is a bit too narrow.  The wing and fuselage are one piece, and all parts snap into place.  You can paint one and get it together in an evening.  There isn’t a lot of cockpit detail, but wheel wells are well done.  The kit appears to be strongly influenced by the Academy kit, even to the decals. However, the canopy is correct. This is a good one to start the kids on.

There are a lot of 1/72 scale Hurricane kits on the market, and nearly every major and minor production model can be built without a lot of conversion and kit bashing.  Some of the later kits, such as Revell-Germany, Hasegawa, and Academy, are of the highest quality.  The Sword kit is the only one available of that particular model.   Even the old Airfix Mk. I has its uses, do hand on to the old ones—you’ll get a lot of modeling enjoyment as you build a model of every Hurricane ever produced.  Enjoy.

 If anyone has any comments or additions to this material, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Brian Baker

June 2008

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