Airfix Hurricane -FINISHED-

[Doug Rogers]

I'll be doing the venerable 1/48 scale Airfix Hurricane, in the BoB markings, the GZ-B ones, 32 Squadron, serial P3144. I'll be getting a few Ultracast bits and bobs probably, although they're for the Hasegawa kit, going to have a go at seeing if they fit the Airfix kit.

No 32 Squadron was formed on 12 January 1916 at Netheravon and moved to France as a fighter squadron in May 1916. Equipped with DH2s it flew patrols over the Western Front for a year before beginning to re-equip with DH5s. These in turn began to be replaced by SE5As in December 1917 which were flown for the rest of the war on fighter and ground attack missions. In March 1919, the squadron returned to the UK as a cadre and disbanded on 29 December 1919.

No 32 reformed on 1 April 1923 at Kenley as a single flight of Snipe fighters. A second flight was formed on 10 December 1923 and a third brought the squadron up to strength on 1 June 1924. Grebes were received at the end of 1924 and were replaced by Gamecocks two years later. Equipped in succession with Siskins, Bulldogs and Gauntlets, No 32 received Hurricanes in October 1938 and these were flown on defensive patrols when World War Two broke out. In May 1940, the squadron flew patrols over northern France and took part in the defence of south-east England during the opening weeks of the Battle of Britain before moving to northern England at the end of August 1940.

If I get this one done in a timely fashion (who am I kidding!) I'll do a Tamiya Me 109-E3 as well, and...and maybe even a Spitfire!

Edited August 18, 2010 by Doug Rogers

[AnonymousFO98]

Hi Doug

Sounds like a good plan

FWIW I have that kit too and would be tempted to enter it into the GB, except being a Hurri it would get the full treatment and never get finished in the timeframe.

good luck with the project

[Mark M]

cool im atching with one as again i have it in the ever growing stash

[Doug Rogers]

Been mulling over an idea in my head, what I may do is make this and the 109 in 'in flight' mode, and mount them on a wooden base with some clear rod.

What'dya reckon?

EDIT:Look what I found on Google images, It's the right Squadron, but not the right Hurricane.

All rights reserved to the original artist : http://flyboy1966.webs.com/favouriteaviationart.htm

Edited July 23, 2010 by Doug Rogers

[SUNDON]

Built this kit a few weeks ago not a bad build for it's age. I built mine OOB a little basic but ok.

Martin

[Doug Rogers]

I've seen a few nice builds , not up to the detail standard of Hasegawa, but overall not bad at all. I'm not going to go mad with it, just a bit of enhancement here and there, sort of OOB+.

[Mark M]

on a stand would be cool

[delta7]

Hi Doug

I finished one of these this year, I was pleasantly surprized as Id heard mixed reports but I found its a nice kit, a few points that might help

1) The large decals silvered badly - I ended up dry brushing the cammo over the top to reduce this

2) watch the top roundals as they did not snuggle down over the raised panel lines that well but I didnt have decal solution at the time - either using solvset or removing the raised lines where the decals sit would have helped

3) the cockpit is very basic but if the canopy is shut you see nothing anyway- if you want the canopy open then airwaves do a nice set of etch

4) the canopy on mine was pretty crap - it is closed only, very thick but poor panel lines , if I did it again Id try to source an aftermarket one that I could display open

hope this helps

Edited August 3, 2010 by delta7

[Dad 10]

1) The large decals silvered badly - I ended up dry brushing the cammo over the top to reduce this

2) watch the top roundals as they did not snuggle down over the raised panel lines that well but I didnt have decal solution at the time - either using solvset or removing the raised lines where the decals sit would have helped

hope this helps

On Airfix decals.

I have recently completed the new 109 and found it a delightful kit to put together and paint. The decals however are a another matter, I had to resort to my 'heavy' technique. I worked reasonably well. If I can remember how I will upload photos when I get a minute, anyway.. the point.

Point 1: Im presuming you are over 15 years old (it involves heat in burny quantities)

I use a 2inch square of damp chamois leather (real not synthetic) folded over into a little pad.

a, place the decal in position with a little superscale blue liquid underneath.

b, heat the chamois pad (I use v hot water) squeez it out and press the pad against the decal.

c, repeat as necessary

d, apply superscale red liquid over the top.

I have recently taken to using a light bulb as a heat source as it saves running up ad down stairs for hot water.

Richard McC

[Doug Rogers]

Hmm..thanks for the warnings on the transfers, I tend to use copious amounts of Klear, which usually stands me in good stead, but I may have to resort to a little heat treatment as well. I've got some aftermarket roundels too, may be better going with them.

The cockpit will be buttoned up, and I've got a Tamiya Spitfire pilot waiting to go in, who's quite a chubby lad compared to the Airfix one, so I don't think there'll be much to see in the office anyway.

It looks like maltadefender and I have had the same idea, doing a base mounted combat sort of thing, so I may have a change of plan and go with an idea I had originally. Should look quite dynamic hopefully.

Should have some progress pics later today.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Doug Rogers

[Doug Rogers]

Made some progress last night, and today.

Fitted a brass prop shaft and sleeve so that the prop can spin for the in flight plan.

Here fitted with the prop;

And how it looks spinning;

Painted up the pilot and fixed him to the lower wing;

Painted up the undercarriage, and drilled out the gear legs to take some copper wire so I can arrange the legs later when fitted to the wings;

More tomorrow hopefully.

[AnonymousDFB1]

Nice work Doug

[RobMac]

Coming on nicely....

[Smiffy]

Free spinning airscrew-tastic, mate.

[Murdo]

Nice!!!

[Doug Rogers]

Got a fair bit more done, and started with paint.

Base is pretty much ready, just got to fix the 6mm acrylic rod in place;

This is the rough idea for the aircraft and base;

Painted the underneath with Humbrol 97 Eggshell (which looks really nice on), and got the White Ensign Dk Earth on;

I'll leave that to dry off properly and then mask up for the green. Got to get on with some DIY now!

[AnonymousDFB1]

Looking good Doug

[Doug Rogers]

Thanks Mish. I think this only the second Hurricane I've ever made. Made a 1/72 Airfix one when I was a nipper, which I vaguely remember was quite a nice little kit.

Love these White Ensign paints too, can't wait to get the Green on!

[Smiffy]

I tell you what, there really is a lot of cracking stuff going on in this grupbuild.

The standards are very impressive.

[Mark M]

cool

[Doug Rogers]

Made some good progress yesterday and today. Got the green on yesterday, wasn't as user friendly as the Dk Earth but got there in the end;

Did a bit of detail work, made up a radiator grille and support bar for the underneath;

Drilled out the exhaust manifolds to give them a little more realism;

And here's where we are today, transfers on, just a few more stencils to do, fit the landing light lenses and undercarriage and should be finished tomorrow hopefully!;

Transfers are a mix of the Airfix kit ones, and some Victory production roundels.

Edited August 17, 2010 by Doug Rogers

[Mark M]

doug that looks FAB i really like these 'flying' hurricanes where they should be in the sky

[AnonymousDFB1]

Looking good

[Doug Rogers]

OK, going to call this one finished, quite pleased how it's turned out;

Hope you like it, more pics in the gallery shortly.

Edited September 2, 2010 by Doug Rogers

[AnonymousDFB1]

Beautiful build Doug a nice companion to my Spitfire.