Background

The Hurricane Mk.IIc powered by the Merlin XX engine with two-speed supercharger. was fitted with four wing mounted Hispano Mk.II cannons. The wings were modified so that either 250lb or 500lb bombs could be carried. Later the hardpoint was plumbed so that two fuel tanks could be fitted to extend the range. The introduction of the Mk.IIc came at a time when the gap in performance with the principal Luftwaffe fighters was increasing. The Hurricane had a similar problem with performance against Italian fighter over North Africa. So the Mk.IIc found a new role as a dedicated ground attack aircraft, adopting the name ‘Hurribomber’. It was also employed as a night fighter as well as an intruder fighter. Twelve Hurricane Mk.IIc [NF] night fighters were equipped with pilot-operated air interception Mark VI radar. 

Hawker built 1,417 Hurricane Mk.IIc’s from 1941 to the middle of 1943. Around 1,182 Mk.IIc’s were sent over to Russia. The canon armament made it more popular than the earlier Hurricanes armed with ineffectual Browning machine guns.

The Kit

If you have purchased any recent Arma Hobby 1:72 scale kits then will have a good idea of what to expect from this new tool 1:48 scale release. The airframe of the Hurricane has a mix of canvas and metal skinning, which is replicated beautifully on this release The recessed and raised detail is crisp, and its been used most effectively resulting in stunning looking detail. The surface of the plastic has flush and raised rivets, as well as the fasteners for access panels, so the overall effect is excellent. The rear of the fuselage, tail and control surfaces has a hint of the stretched fabric. The parts break down bear no resemblance to the series of 1:72 scale kits, Arma Hobby has taken a fresh approach to the quarter scale editions. Detail of the various areas including the cockpit and undercarriage bay are well thought out. Arma Hobby has were possible created individual parts rather than rely on low relief detail, achieving a more realistic look.

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
• 1 x Errata sheet

The cockpit is made up from twenty-nine plastic parts, so it’s going to be pretty detailed. 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 between the upper half of the 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. The small errata sheet highlights the need to remove some of the plastic where the runners would be. There are two types of windscreen mounted rear looking mirror supplied

The fuselage is split traditionally into left and right halves. The rear lower ventral area is separate obviously to accommodate different marks or carrier based versions of the Hurricane Mk.II. 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 for the intruder option [A].

Both upper and lower wing parts are full span. The upper wing is bridged by base of the cockpit.  The ailerons and flaps are moulded with the wings. Holes need to be drilled to fit the fuel tanks. Bombs are supplied, but not used with any of the marking options. Some detail needs to be removed from the wing to depict accurately the Mark IIc, the instructions provide full details.  A nice touch is the separate landing light parts. Not just the clear parts, but the reflector is reproduced. The erratum sheet highlights the need to remove a short length of the raised line on the inside of the upper wing. Perhaps so that the landing light reflector has a better fit. There are two versions of the canon barrels fitted to the wing leading edge.

The undercarriage bay is made up from eleven detailed parts and that does not include the undercarriage gear itself. The main undercarriage oleo has separate retracting jacks. The detail on the inside of the main undercarriage door is very good. 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. There are two choices of tail wheel, and these have paint masks too.

The fuel tanks are two-part with separate wing attachment pins. The bombs are four-part with commendably thin annular stabilisers, though these are not fitted on any of the marking options.

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 Kabuki style paint masks for the windscreen, canopies, landing lights and main wheels as well as the tail wheels.

Instructions

The black line drawings 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. There are a number of 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.

Marking options.

Arma Hobby seems to  take great care researching any of the the marking options. They post details online ahead of any release. They take note of any educated comments to improve the authenticity. There are three marking options included with this release:

• Hurricane Mk.IIc Night Intruder BE581/IX-E, No. 1 Squadron RAF, Tangmere, may 1942, pilot F/L Karel Kuttelwascher

• Hurricane Mk.IIc Z3152/FM-A, no. 257 Squadron RAF, Coltishall, may 1941, pilot S/Ldr Robert Stanford Tuck DSO, DFC, & Two Bars, AFC

• Hurricane Mk.IIc LF644/WC-D, No. 309 Squadron RAF, Drem, May-July 1944

Three good marking options with different schemes.  The intruder is black or night overall and option two has a disruptive upper surface camouflage of dark earth and dark green with sky type ‘S’ under surfaces. Option 3 has ocean grey and dark green upper disruptive pattern with medium sea grey under surfaces.

Conclusion

Wow this is a superb release from Arma Hobby. They have embraced current design and manufacturing processes to come up with a model fit for the expectations of the modeller in 21st century. The attention to detail as well as the execution of the detail in plastic is quite superb. The excellent fitting parts will make the building process all that more pleasurable. Very highly recommended

Check out Arma Hobby’s test build.  Available from Arma Hobby costing €45.00

40004 - Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc – 1:48

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here – on Aeroscale.