Airfix 1/48 Mk I Desert Hurricane

[Pastor John]

1/48 Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk I representing P2638 of No. 274 Sqn RAF, flown by Sgt Pilot FH Dean, based at Sidi Barrani, Eqypt, July 1942. Aircraft had previously been PR Mk I P2638 of 208 Sqn, LG 39 / Burgh el Arab, Egypt, early July 1942.  A short time latter P2638 was passed to 274 Sqn to serve as a fighter for a second time and was almost immediately lost, being shot down by three bf 109 F’s on the 27th July 1942. I really enjoyed this kit from beginning to end. the plastic was not too hard for me to use the rivet tool with bad hands and the clear plastic parts and the decals are some of the nicest I have ever used but there are a few things needed to be able to represent the photo of this aircraft a little better. You will note that the photo shows that P2638 has an early style radio mast, a rear view mirror, tropical cooling vents at the side of the lower cockpit (both sides) and an oil collector ring around the nose - none of which are represented in the Airfix kit. The mast was just changed as best as possible but does not look right. The oil collector ring is just fuse wire cut and bent to shape and the rear view mirror was from Quickboost. I also used Eduard Spitfire Mk Vb spares - deHalliand prop which was much thinner than what Airfix have provided as well as the Eduard early Spitfire exhausts. Also used was the Eduard canopy mask and Sutton Harness sets. The beautiful Airfix canopy was treated to some handles from the spares box. Finally I had ordered the Brengun wheel set as I have seen thinner tractor wheels compared to what Airfix provide for the tail wheel but alas when the set came along with the Quickboost rear view mirror - the packet contained something completely different to what the label advertised and so I just wanted to finish the model. A lovely little kit well deserving of a little extra love here and there. I wish I had taken the time to remove the overly raised fasteners as well as add a slight curve to the cockpit panels where they meet the wing - next time! Thanks for looking, John

[tomg]

Love it - great scheme and colors!

[LSP_Kevin]

That looks terrific, John! You build better models with busted hands than I do with two fully-functional ones!

 

Kev

[Pastor John]

You are too kind Kev, thanks so much

[Cheetah11]

Great subject and execution John. Glad to see you modelling again. When I see these schemes from the desert I wonder to what extend the Italian cammo on the leading edges and sometimes the nose of the Hurricanes fooled the enemy.

Cheers

Nick

 

[Greg W]

 

You are doing better! Wow, really nice John! 

[Pastor John]

12 hours ago, Cheetah11 said:

Great subject and execution John. Glad to see you modelling again. When I see these schemes from the desert I wonder to what extend the Italian camo on the leading edges and sometimes the nose of the Hurricanes fooled the enemy.

Cheers

Nick

 

A few seconds hesitation can make all the difference at low altitude buzzing an AXIS airfield on a tactical recon mission. It seems crazy but that is all any camouflage buys you - seconds! Same situation with the PRU Pink Spitfire 1G I made approaching the French coast at dawn or dusk