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Airfix Hurricane Mk I; in-box review
Topic Started: Nov 13 2013, 02:44 PM (623 Views)
peebeep
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resin fondler
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I bought one at SMW (my first purchase, I grabbed one before they all disappeared). It looks really cracking on the sprue, so here goes:

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The fuselage halves have an excellent representation of the fabric rear fuselage and fine panel lines where required. The cockpit walls have the tubular structure moulded on and this is perfectly adequate in my opinion. Undercarriage doors feature the correct 'cheese' section and the seat and radiator bath are nicely moulded.

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As with the fuselage the wing fabric panels look very good and panel lines are finely engraved.The wheel wells have parts to enable it to be fully boxed in with enough detail to make it look 'busy'. The wheels are moulded with flats and are keyed to assist alignment, whilst the gear legs have finely moulded detail. The wing sprues have various bits and bobs for the cockpit which is also finely moulded and in some cases will be challenging to remove without breakages.

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There are separate sprues that contain alternative pieces for the two options. There are also additional detail parts, some very finely moulded and as with the cockpit pieces may be difficult to remove, whilst the tiny venturi looks like a definite offering to the carpet monster!

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The transparencies are very thin and clear whilst the swirl marks seen on previous kits are thankfully absent. The landing lights are moulded such that the lamps are represented within the moulding itself. There are alternative windscreen parts one with and one without armour. Decals are very nicely printed, appear to be in perfect register and with good colour density.

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The instructions are a first for Airfix to my knowledge, the graphics are in half-tone, whilst pieces and sub-assemblies from previous steps where affixed are illustrated in a reddish colour.

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The two options are for a RAF 111 Squadron machine, July 1938 and Belgian Air Force example, Squadron 2/1/2AE, May 1940. Colour call outs are for Humbrol paints (well it wouldn't be any other, would it?!). The green is labelled as Hu30, which we're told is now correct as MAP Dark Green, but as I haven't bought a tinlet recently I can't comment.

I've checked the major components against published data and it's difficult to find any errors. I'm sure there probably are some errors and I'm equally sure these will get posted up in good time, but as it stands this is probably a benchmark Hurricane kit in 1/72. Let's hope Airfix can be persuaded to do a little bit of new tooling to provide the metal wings at a later date, not to mention a ventral fuselage piece equipped with a hook for Sea Hurricanes.

peebeep
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Cimmerian
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Lt. Ken 'Albatros' Jeffrey
As I have a bit of a soft spot for Hurricanes I guess I'd better pick up a couple of these. It does look nice.
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Mark M
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Hawk T1
Now airfix scale up to 1/48 or even better 1/32!!
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peebeep
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resin fondler
I think 1/48 is a dead cert Mark, but Airfix have always said they will never do aircraft in 1/32.

peebeep
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Mark M
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Hawk T1
I can wish!

Ill def get a 1/48 but 1/72 is a bit small for me now but it does look nice
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DevilFish
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LCDR Paul "Voodoo" Carter
Definately be looking at a 1/48 one if and when it comes out....I don't have a fabric winged Hurri yet
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peebeep
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resin fondler
Early Hurricanes had 5 spoke wheels, whereas the kit supplies 4 spoke. I bought a set of CMK wheels:

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tc2324
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LCDR Tony `Banana's` Clay
Like the way Airfix are going. :cool

Looks like a great little kit.
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