Hasegawa 1/48 Hurricane Mk.IID
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KIT #: |
09052 |
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PRICE: |
2200 yen SRP |
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DECALS: |
Two options |
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REVIEWER: |
Scott Van Aken |
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NOTES: |
Limited Edition 1998 |
The Hurricane Mk IID was a Mk IIB (this was the fighter-bomber version with two
wing racks) conversion armed with two 40 mm (1.57 in) anti-tank autocannons in a
gondola-style pod, one under each wing and a single Browning machine gun in each
wing loaded with tracers for aiming purposes. The first aircraft flew on 18
September 1941 and deliveries started in 1942. Serial built aircraft had
additional armour for the pilot, radiator and engine, and were armed with a
Rolls-Royce gun with 12 rounds, later changed to the 40 mm (1.57 in) Vickers S
gun with 15 rounds. The outer wing attachments were strengthened so that 4G
could be pulled at a weight of 8,540 lb (3,874 kg). The weight of guns and
armour protection marginally impacted the aircraft's performance. These
Hurricanes were nicknamed "Flying Can Openers", perhaps a play on the No. 6
Squadron's logo which flew the Hurricane starting in 1941.
6 Squadron RAF is one of the longer serving units in the RAF having formed in
1914. It currently flies the Typhoon having been the last unit to fly the
Jaguar. It was also the first to operate the Phantom FGR.2, flying that type for
five years before transferring to the Jaguar.
Though
it has been quite a while since Hasegawa did a Hurricane limited edition, back
in 1998 they were on a roll and produced this Hurricane IID boxing. As you read
in the history section, the Hurricane II was a tad longer than the Hurricane I
and while I don't know if they got this part right or not, they do provide a
separate nose section that could take this into consideration.
The cockpit is actually quite well done with side frame work and open floor,
seat, armor plating, control stick, rudder pedals and instrument panel. Various
controls are molded into the framework and on the inside of the fuselage halves.
The wheel well is separate and is added prior to the assembly of the one piece
lower and two upper wing halves. A carb intake section fits into the lower wing.
On the lower wing is a coolant radiator that gets and front and rear detail
piece before the two piece housing with rear radiator flap actuating arms. The
front of the wing has inserts for the guns on the leading edge and this kit
provides the one gun per side insert appropriate for this version. There is also
a landing light and lens for each side. In addition to the different leading
edge insert, the two gun pods are also provided. These are two pieces with the
barrel molded into one half.
Landing gear
are nicely molded and look suitably complex with additional retraction
mechanisms in the wheel well. Additional bits are the Volkes filter for under
the nose, a more pointed spinner with Rotol prob and separate wing tip lights.
The canopy is a single piece so those wanting it open will have to cut it or
replace it. Exhaust fit from the outside.
Kit markings are for two planes, both with 6 Squadron RAF. One is the box art
plane while the other has later insignia and just an aircraft number on the
fuselage. Both are in the desert scheme of dark earth, middlestone and azure
blue. The azure blue shows as needing mixed as apparently Gunze does not carry
that shade. The decals are nicely printed and include an instrument and side
panel decal as well as the wing walk areas.
I thought that with all the current hype over the new Airfix Hurricane I
release, it might be worthwhile to look at the other major offering. To be
sure, the Airfix kit has the benefit of 20 years of advancements in the
hobby, but really, it offers not much more than the older Hasegawa kit to
the majority of modelers. This one provides much of the same detail as the
Airfix kit, which actually looks as if it used the Hasegawa kit as its
basis. Of course, there are only so many ways to engineer a kit of the same
subject, which undoubtedly accounts for so many similarities, but if you
still have one of the Hasegawa offerings in your stash, go ahead and build
it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Hurricane
July 2015
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Though
it has been quite a while since Hasegawa did a Hurricane limited edition, back
in 1998 they were on a roll and produced this Hurricane IID boxing. As you read
in the history section, the Hurricane II was a tad longer than the Hurricane I
and while I don't know if they got this part right or not, they do provide a
separate nose section that could take this into consideration.