Background
Hawker were looking at creating more punch for the Hurricane Mk.IIb. There were basically two options, the fitting of additional .303” (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns or replacing the machine guns with canons. In the end the Mk.IIb was fitted with four additional .303 guns creating a twelve gun wing. Unfortunately increasing the number of small calibre guns did not significantly change the effectiveness of fire especially against armoured targets. The Mk.IIb ‘Hurribomber’ was adapted to carry bombs creating an effective ground attack aircraft. At first the fitting of the wing mounted bomb racks incurred a penalty in that one of the machine guns in each wing had to be removed. Later spent cartridge channels were fitted so that the removed machine guns could be refitted. The extra weight of guns and bombs despite the increased power of the Merlin XX with two-speed supercharger, meant that the Mk.IIb was no longer an effective fighter. Other changes noticeable on the Mk.IIb was a new longer propeller spinner, a change of shape for the tailwheel recess and a modified tailwheel.
The Kit
The Hurricane Mk.IIb is a relatively rare subject for manufacturers in 1:48 scale. Although the box is side opening, there is a robust cardboard tray. This should stop any box collapse if there are additional kits stored on top. First thing that hits you looking at the sprues is the quality of the recessed and raised detail, it is superb. Impressive is the depiction of the rivets and fasteners. Equally impressive is the depiction of the fabric covered rear fuselage and control surfaces. If you already have Arma Hobby’s canon armed Hurricane Mk.IIc, then you will recognise that there is a completely new sprue for the Mk.IIb wing.
Contents of this 1:48 scale kit includes:
- 3 x grey plastic sprues
- 1 x clear plastic sprues
- 1 x sheet of paint masks
- 1 x sheet of decals
- 1 x A4 box illustration print
- 1 x A4 12-page instruction manual
Around twenty-nine detailed plastic parts make up the cockpit. The instrument panel has raised instruments with a decal to create the instrument faces and switches. There are also decals for some of the instruments on the sidewall. Most of the cockpit components are fitted on the bridge spanning the upper wing. There is no floor as such, just a couple of runner boards for the pilot’s feet mounted on a tubular framework. The piping containing the control cables from the control stick and rudder pedals are also included. There are some raised detail on the inside walls of the fuselage. Tubular framework adds further to the detail as does the numerous small parts. The detail on all the components for the cockpit is superb. The four-part seat includes the seat height adjustment lever. The seat fits onto a large armoured panel. Decals represent the seat belts.
The clear parts are crystal clear and commendably thin. The canopy and windscreen are separate. There are two canopies: one for the open position and the other for closed. There are paint masks for these clear parts. To fit the closed canopy the runners on the sill of the cockpit wall needs to be removed. There are two types of windscreen mounted rear looking mirror supplied
The fuselage is split traditionally into left and right halves. Separate is the vertical tail surface with a separate one-piece rudder. The aerial mount on top of the fin needs to be removed. To accommodate various marks of the Hurricane Mk.II the rear lower ventral area is separate. The belly radiator fairing is separate and made up from four parts. The flap to the rear is separate and positionable. The radiator faces are made up from three parts. The moulded detail on the radiator faces is superb. Once completed its fitted to the recessed area in the belly. The carburettor intake fairing just in front of the undercarriage bay is made up from two parts. The prop is made up from four parts, with two alternate spinners. The oil collector ring behind the spinner is moulded onto the nose. The nose blisters are separate and there are exhaust flame guards to fit to option 1 & 2.
Both upper and lower wing parts are full span, the upper wing is bridged by the base of the cockpit. The ailerons and flaps are moulded with the wings. Holes need to be drilled to fit the racks for the 250lb or 500lb bombs. Fuel tanks are supplied in the kit, though none of the options have them fitted. The raised location points for the fuel tanks need to be removed from the underside of the wing. A nice touch is the separate landing lights and reflectors. The outer guns have inserts to glue in place. The inserts are useful so you do not push the separate gun barrels too far into the wing. Arma Hobby suggest drilling out the holes for the gun barrels, though on my sample there are holes going through the leading edge. A novel inclusion on the sprue with the wing is the plastic wheel well masks. Both masks are marked so you do not get the parts mixed up.
The horizontal stabilisers are two full span parts with separate one-piece elevators.
Eleven detailed parts make up the undercarriage bay and that does not include the undercarriage gear itself. The main undercarriage oleo has separate retracting jacks. The main undercarriage doors I nicely detailed. The weighted main wheels are split in half and masks are included. The manufactures name is a raised detail on the walls of the tyres. As mentioned, there are plastic injected paint masks for the wheel bay. There are two choices of tail wheel, and these have paint masks too.
The 250lb and 500lb bombs are four-part with commendably thin annular stabilisers. These can be fitted on marking options 1 and 2. Wing fitted fuel tanks are supplied, but not fitted to any of the marking options.
There are Kabuki style paint masks for the windscreen, canopies, landing lights and main wheels as well as the tail wheels. There is a small guide in the instructions for the placement of the masks.
Decals are printed by Techmod. They look excellent with good colour density and the registration is excellent. The definition is very good particularly on the stencils and instruments. There are not too many stencils to apply.
The black line drawings of the instructions are explicit with written instructions in English and Polish. There are several modifications and differences with the marking options so pay close attention to each stage of the build. The full colour painting guide features four view images of each of the marking options. There are several paint manufactures referenced in the instructions including: Hataka, AK RC, Lifecolor, Ammo, Humbrol, Vallejo and Tamiya. FS numbers are provided for all the colours except sky blue.
There are three marking options:
- Hurricane Mk IIb “Hurribomber”, BE489/AE-Q “Butch the Falcon”, 402nd RCAF Squadron, Warmwell, February 1942
- Hurricane Mk IIb Z3171/SW-P “Hyderabad City”, 253 Squadron RAF, Hibaldstow, pilot F/SGT. JC Tate, winter 1941/42
- Hurricane Mk IIb, Z3675/WX-B, 302nd PSP Squadron, Church Stanton, August 1941
Option 1 has dark green and ocean grey upper surface with medium sea grey under surface. Option 2 is painted matt black overall. Option 3 looks a little confusing as the painting illustrations suggest dark green and dark earth upper surfaces. The paint key suggests dark green and medium sea grey with sky type ‘S’ under surface.The informative Arma Hobby blog on this release describes option 3 as being “Temperate Land Scheme” which is basically dark earth, dark green and sky, so I would go with that.
Conclusion
Arma Hobby has released a significant number of Hawker Hurricanes in 1:72 scale, but have taken a different approach to the quarter scale editions. The Hurricane Mk.IIb is a relatively rare subject for manufacturers in 1:48 scale, so well done Arma Hobby for tackling this subject. The mix of fine raised and recessed surface detail is really first rate. Detail of the cockpit and undercarriage bay are well thought out and very well done. Arma Hobby has were possible created individual parts rather than rely on low relief detail, achieving a more realistic look. The twelve-gun wing will certainly create an interesting talking point if you are showing the completed kit at your local hobby meet. Highly recommended
40007 - Hawker Hurricane Mk IIb - 1:48
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