This
kit is another Hasegawa classic featuring their standard quality in 1/72nd
scale. It is a nice little model and one of the best starting bases to build a
Hurricane in that scale. Hasegawa released several different boxings for the
Hurricane differing in the nose area (MkI or Mk II with different engine
cowling, the Mk II coming with or without sand filter) and in wing armament.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
Building
As
you can expect with recent (I really mean up to 20 years in age – time flows)
Hasegawa models this is a nice little kit that builds easily. Most parts and
details are there, shapes are quite good but some details are missing.
First
operation was building the half fuselages. This model fuselage is built in four
main parts (half noses and aft rear fuselages to cater for the nose options (MkI
or MkII according to boxing). I assembled my half fuselages before I started to
detail the cockpit area
I
talked about missing details. The cockpit for instance has all the walls to make
a very simple but flat cockpit but decals are the only items to decorate the
area. Result is neat but quite basic if you like details in your cockpits. I
have several Hurricanes in waiting and several different details set options (PE
or resin sets). I decided to use a resin cockpit designed by Hi Tech. Only the
instrument panel was stolen from a PE set. As I wanted to show details I decided
to cut the starboard side fuselage panel.
Once
built up I cemented the cockpit in position between the fuselage halves.
Wings
were quickly added. I just wanted something more elaborate for my landing
lights; I built two lamps from stretched transparent sprue then I cemented them
in position in the leading edge recess.
Landing
gears were detailed with wire.
Painting
and finishing
All
surfaces were smoothed with a moderate use of fine grain sand paper. Details
were added before I started to paint the model.
I
used Gunze aqueous paints throughout, except on the occasional metallic colours.
All under-surfaces were painted black : actually extra dark grey, mixing
different ratios of black and grey. I did not want a plain black belly, and I
wanted to give the black under-surfaces an uneven finish, with panels being
darker than others.
Once
done, I masked all areas around landing gear wells. I believe wheel wells were
left natural metal, as were landing gears and doors inner surfaces. I used
Xtracolour silver paint on all these surfaces.
Then
top camouflage was painted with RAF green and a mix of greys (following Hasegawa
instructions). I read RAF a/c were painted with masks giving hard edges (or semi
hard edges) effects but I feel hard edges are funny on models. I therefore
painted free hand.
Decals
come from an Aeromaster sheet. The nose art and the black belly attracted me.
The process was the same as ever. I sprayed a moderate layer of gloss varnish
over main paint, then decals were applied. I then used thinned oil paint (sepia
and black, thinned with white spirit) to mark panel lines. Then I sprayed a
light coat of matt varnish before I finished weathering with powders.
I
added small details around the aircraft :
-
access
ladder from PE
-
antenna
from PE
-
position
lights were painted : this time I painted lights silver and coloured them
the appropriate Tamiya translucent colour
-
a
vacuum formed one replaced kit canopy
-
landing
lights transparent glazing covers were built with small bits of crystal
clear cement tape
I
was happy with this little model. It was quite easy to build and that is my
first Hurricane ever.
Eric
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
|