1/48 Hasegawa Hawker Hurricane IIc

Gallery Article by Graham Tarran on July 19 2003

 

Night Intruder - “Night Reaper"

Released according to the instruction sheet in 1997, this was probably the oldest unbuilt kit in my “70+” stash.  I recall being mad keen to obtain a copy upon release but remained totally unimpressed by the markings provided (two 3 sqdn machines, plus the famous “Last of the Many”).  Instead, I have worked my way through others of their Hurricane offerings.  Then along came Eagle Strike with their sheet 48126 “Night Hurricanes” which provided some great schemes to relieve the rather boring (in my opinion) standard temperate day fighter scheme. (Incidentally & for anyone interested, this sheet contains an error in that the first option is NOT Smallwood’s “United Provinces Cawpore1” as stated on the instructions but an all black 247 squadron machine with early type “low-viz” markings, but I digress). 

 

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Much has been written about this kit & the fit problems around the underside of the wing leading & trailing edges - I lost the fabric detail on the underside of the fuselage when remedying the problem in this area. 

Navigation lights were drilled out & drops of red or green as appropriate were put in the holes.  As this was a “night intruder” machine, I also added the exhaust flame guards, provided in the kit. 

Apart from the Eagle Strike decals, I also added an Ultracast seat, the CMK detail set that provides the underwing 44 gal tanks & replacement & more finely detailed cannon barrels, plus a Squadron canopy, cut & fixed in the open position. 

The machine is marked as “Night Reaper”, flown by Flt. Lt. K M Kuttlewascher, a Czech pilot with 1 squadron RAF operating from Redhill in 1942.  Ocean Grey & Dark Green uppers with “night” undersides & red spinner.  Note the “night” coloured rudder, probably a replacement from an all “night” machine.  The appellation “Night Reaper” is carried on the starboard cowling beneath the exhaust pipes. 

Xtracolour paints used for the main scheme with details in Humbrols.  I usually prefer to leave my models “mint”, that is with no weathering, washing etc.  However, the Eagle Strike sheet even provides battle damage repair patches for certain area of the fabric covered fuselage & tail; adding these I thought it also fitting to add a little subtle weathering which I limited to exhaust & gun staining (using Xtracolour “exhaust”) with a thin black wash for the landing gear & bays.

Graham Tarran

      

Photos and text © by Graham Tarran