Iliad Designs 72013: Pre-War Hurricanes

Units: See review

Price

$12.00

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

This next sheet from Iliad Designs covers  a handful plus two of pre-war Hurricanes. While the upper and lower markings placement sheet shows metal wing airplanes, I'm betting that these were mostly fabric covered wings. According sources, the last fabric covered wing was mounted on aircraft L 2027 (though some say L 1877). That would make most of those shown equipped with the early wing. For kits, you have the recent Airfix offering and an earlier Sword kit for the fabric wing version. I should mention that the metal wing could be retrofit on earlier planes and in some cases, this was done.

On to the markings. The first option is a 3 Squadron plane, OP*D and like most options, has a Watts wooden prop and dark green/dark earth upper camo scheme.

Next is a plane from 73 Squadron in 1938. This one has an aluminum undersurface and, like the first and next option, has the 'kidney' exhaust. It also has an armored windscreen.

The third option has an interesting insignia with a dark yellow surround. This 85 Squadron plane from the winter of 1938/39, has an underside divided into black/white along the centerline. In line with the first option, it has an unarmored windscreen and like the second option, has no ventral keel.

The fourth option is from 17 Squadron in early 1939. The undersurface is aluminum with a black left wing and an armored windscreen.

For option 5 we have a metal winged plane with a deHavilland prop. This 56 Squadron plane is from mid-1939 and has a lower surface in aluminum with a black and a white wing underside.

The rather plain looking aircraft is from 1 Squadron (RCAF) in the summer of 1939. Aluminum undersides.

Finally a company demonstrator in over all aluminum and a Rotol prop. Armament was removed. I am assuming this one also had a metal wing.

Decals are very nicely printed and you get enough insignia to do the whole lot. A most welcome sheet and one that should get you headed for the Hurricane on your kit shelves.

December 2014

Thanks to www.iliad-design.com for the review sheet. You can get yours direct from the link.

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