here we have Airfixs 1/72 Hawker Hurricane mk1 ( early) , first tooled and released in 2013 . This first boxing represents the very first production Hurricanes , with fabric covered wings and fixed two bladed propeller .The kit comes in a sturdy top opening box with a lovely picture of the Hurricane on top and nicely done CAD renderings of the kit details on the sides and underneath. Instructions are in booklet form stapled together and a seperate colour sheet shows painting guides and decal placement . The 5 sprues are moulded in a soft grey plastic and feature very nicely done fabric effects and recessed panel lines and fasteners. A single clear sprue contains the sliding canopy, 2 windscreens ( armour glass and normal ) and landing lights .
The sprues have several parts that are not needed for this version , ie the three bladed prop , the armoured screen , the later ejector exhausts. The later mk1 that requires all these parts was released in a later boxing .
The kit offers two decal options , one RAF machine from 1938 that took part in the Bastille day celebrations and a Belgian air force machine from 1940 . These two aircraft had different rear under fuselages and rudders , the RAF machine having the flat underfuselage and shorter rudder , the Belgian aircraft having the later fuselage fillet with longer rudder and optional parts are supplied for this .
The decals look excellent with good colour density ,perfect registration and minimal carrier film and should pose no problems .
The construction is fairly straightforward and starts with the undercarriage bays , made up from several pieces and excellently detailed . Likewise the cockpit is a very comprehensive affair and features the correct foot boards . Sidewall detail is moulded onto the fuselage halves , with the rest of the cockpit featuring a representation of the tubular structure , a nicely done seat and decal for the instrument panel . No seat belts are supplied ,either moulded on or as decals . The rest of the construction looks like it should go together very nicely , the undercarriage legs may require some care though as they are very finely tooled but should look great once done . The wheels have moulded on flat spots and unique shaped axles to ensure correct placement .
The kit is sadly out of production in this boxing but still available in later boxings with markings for either the three bladed prop or the fixed two bladed one. Availability - very good , John has both current boxings in the SMF shop , priced between £6.29- £8.09 - Airfix product nos. A 01010A and A 01010. In conclusion a beautifully done kit of a seldom seen version of this popular aircraft , highly recommended .
The sprues have several parts that are not needed for this version , ie the three bladed prop , the armoured screen , the later ejector exhausts. The later mk1 that requires all these parts was released in a later boxing .
The kit offers two decal options , one RAF machine from 1938 that took part in the Bastille day celebrations and a Belgian air force machine from 1940 . These two aircraft had different rear under fuselages and rudders , the RAF machine having the flat underfuselage and shorter rudder , the Belgian aircraft having the later fuselage fillet with longer rudder and optional parts are supplied for this .
The decals look excellent with good colour density ,perfect registration and minimal carrier film and should pose no problems .
The construction is fairly straightforward and starts with the undercarriage bays , made up from several pieces and excellently detailed . Likewise the cockpit is a very comprehensive affair and features the correct foot boards . Sidewall detail is moulded onto the fuselage halves , with the rest of the cockpit featuring a representation of the tubular structure , a nicely done seat and decal for the instrument panel . No seat belts are supplied ,either moulded on or as decals . The rest of the construction looks like it should go together very nicely , the undercarriage legs may require some care though as they are very finely tooled but should look great once done . The wheels have moulded on flat spots and unique shaped axles to ensure correct placement .
The kit is sadly out of production in this boxing but still available in later boxings with markings for either the three bladed prop or the fixed two bladed one. Availability - very good , John has both current boxings in the SMF shop , priced between £6.29- £8.09 - Airfix product nos. A 01010A and A 01010. In conclusion a beautifully done kit of a seldom seen version of this popular aircraft , highly recommended .
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