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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
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
A
bout
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.