Aviaeology AOD48007.2: Vital Storm part 2

PRICE:

CDN $15.79 plus shipping

UNITS:

Many

REVIEW &
PHOTOS :

Scott Van Aken

NOTES:

Also available in 1/72

This latest sheet from Aviaeology is the second sheet on Hurricanes and lots of them. These are all early Hurricanes from the Battle of Britain and beyond. Originally to be produced by another company, Aviaeology has decided to do it themselves.

In this sheet, there are options for seven aircraft. Of course, there are not enough insignia and data markings to do them all, but fortunately, finding RAF roundels is not a difficult task, especially in 1/48 so the dedicated Hurricane fan can do them all. I'm sure that most will go for the Hasegawa kit, but there are others by Airfix, Hobbycraft and PCM, to name a few that can be used.

Though not in the order in the six page instructions, I'll go with how the cover is shown. By the way, though you get one in greyscale, the same stuff in full color is available on their web site.

First off is the all black aircraft of I. "Widge" Gleed, the first of three identically coded Hurricanes flown by Gleed while with 87 Squadron. This is the April 1941 version.

The second and third of Gleed's planes were in standard RAF camo and are from July 1940 and October 1940.

Next is A.G. Lewis' 85 Squadron plane when based at Croydon in June 1940

NN*D was flown by V. Bergman during September 1940 with 310 Squadron when based at Duxford.

From 249 Squadron is Victoria Cross recipient JB Nicholson's plane from August 1940. No photo exists of his aircraft so there are many notes  and speculations regarding this aircraft in the instructions.

Another Malta based plane is A.F. MacLachlan's plane from 261 Squadron in November 1940. This aircraft was also flown by F.N. Robertson.

Finally, another desert camo plane with no codes is this Eqypt based aircraft of V.C 'Woodie' Woodward when with 33 Squadron in October of 1940.

The instructions are quite comprehensive and provide views of both sides as well as notes on each aircraft. As often times the photos of these planes are only of one side or only partial, some information is speculative, but all options are provided to the builder.

The decals themselves are superbly printed with no registration glitches and vibrant colors. A truly great sheet and with the plethora of 1/72 Hurricane kits available to the modeler, should come in real handy.

December  2010

My thanks to www.aviaeology.com for the review sheet. You can get yours direct.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.