A pair of Airfix 1:48 Hurricanes

[Tomcat64]

I've finally finished a pair of Hurricanes that I think I started back in May/June time; they certainly pre-date my joining ISM and have been on and off ever since. The only real issue with both of these kits was the surgery needed to the pilot's legs to get them into the cockpit.

First up is the Mk1 tropical version; this has been finished in the colours of an 80 Squadron aircraft flown by William Vale during the battle of Crete in 1941 and was based at Maleme. Now it's finished this will be shipped out to my in-laws (specifically my father-in-law) who retired to Crete about 10 years ago and live about 30 minutes away from Maleme base. I used Eduard detailing sets for the cockpit on this one, and aftermarket wheels for the main undercarriage but otherwise built from the box. The ground crew are from a mix of Airfix and Eduard sets - if anyone's thinking of picking up the Eduard sets beware because the poses displayed on the box don't necessarily represent what's inside.







I'm fairly sure there are some inaccuracies especially with regards to the ground-crew uniforms but I'm happy with the overall effect.

And secondly here's the standard Mk1 finished out as UP-W from 605 squadron which will stay in my own collection. This may get additional ground crew attention as I've got some other WWII 1:48 kits in the stash and plenty of crew left. Pretty much built from the box with the exception of some added seatbelts and a mirror.







Overall I'm happy with the way that both eventually turned out but as always there's learning to be done especially with regards to my airbrushing techniques which are still in the early days (exhaust plumes are definitely something to practice on). The reason for running both kits at the same time was that I originally had the standard Mk 1 and was going to convert it to the tropical and then Airfix brought out the tropical version so I decided to go for that and ended up doing a side-by-side build. Turns out both sets of sprues are exactly the same with the extra parts included in the standard kit; there is also an arrester hook included so I'm guessing there'll be a sea hurricane on its way at some point.

Thanks for looking.

[Cymru]

Excellent work Sir

[Avgas]

Great work.

[NorthernModeller]

Ohh I really like that, nicely weathered and a great finish

[demarcation]

Beautiful work mate, looks great!!

[Davethepitch]

An impressive diorama

[Tomcat64]

Thanks guys - glad you like them

[Benwilkie]

Nice job,looks good.well done!

[RichardT]

FANTASTIC JOB - THERE'S A GREAT FEEL TO THE DIORAMA- WELL DONE MATE

[Twokidsnosleep]

Absolutely smashing work
Always impressed when someone takes a good model and makes it great by adding the diorama...completing the background of the picture so to speak
Love the figures, you did fantastic job painting and posing

[63bp]

wow.....

[Prodrigues]

I like the wing details with the access panels open ,

[Tomcat64]

Nice job,looks good.well done!

FANTASTIC JOB - THERE'S A GREAT FEEL TO THE DIORAMA- WELL DONE MATE

Absolutely smashing work
Always impressed when someone takes a good model and makes it great by adding the diorama...completing the background of the picture so to speak
Love the figures, you did fantastic job painting and posing

wow.....

I like the wing details with the access panels open ,

Many thanks for all the positive comments guys and apologies for not responding sooner (someone forgot to set the notify flag )

I'm pleased to report that the Tropical Hurricane made its way to Crete and landed pretty much intact; the only reported casualties were a loose crewman and a stray dog! We're heading off over to the Island in May so I should be able to effect repairs and hopefully grab a photo in the sunshine.

[privatepete]

Hi Neil very nice work I like the Mk1 tropical version dio theirs a lot going on well done,I think your father-in-law will love it

[Tomcat64]

Hi Neil very nice work I like the Mk1 tropical version dio theirs a lot going on well done,I think your father-in-law will love it

Thanks Pete

[Tomcat64]

Apologies for the thread going bump in the night, but we recently visited the Hurricane in Crete and having assessed the damage it was a stray dog, a loose crew man and both the undercarriage doors; so after a little attention here it is by the pool in the sunshine




After taking the second shot I noticed that the pitot tube under the port wing was also slightly wonky so that was also carefully straightened out. Really impressed that the dio landed in such good condition - there's a lot to be said for careful packing!

[Aeon]

Nice job!