Manipled Mutineer Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Inspired by Alpha Delta 201's excellent rendition and kind encouragement, I decided to make my second Britmodeller build J.B. Nicolson VC's Mk1 Hawker Hurricane G-NA. The kit was Airfix's old-tool Mk.1, from their "V.C. Icons" boxing. GN-A was a significant aircraft, being the 'plane in which Flight Lieutenant Nicolson won the only Battle of Britain Victoria Cross and Fighter Command's only VC of the war, an exploit described in the following extract: Air Ministry, 15 November 1940. The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned officer in recognition of most conspicuous bravery : Flight Lieutenant James Brindley NICOLSON (39329) No. 249 Squadron. During an engagement with the enemy near Southampton on 16th August 1940, Flight Lieutenant Nicolson's aircraft was hit by four cannon shells, two of which wounded him whilst another set fire to the gravity tank. When about to abandon his aircraft owing to flames in the cockpit he sighted an enemy fighter. This he attacked and shot down, although as a result of staying in his burning aircraft he sustained serious burns to his hands, face, neck and legs. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson has always displayed great enthusiasm for air fighting and this incident shows that he possesses courage and determination of a high order. By continuing to engage the enemy after he had been wounded and his aircraft set on fire, he displayed exceptional gallantry and disregard for the safety of his own life. Unfortunately Wing Commander Nicolson did not survive the war. For more on his career see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brindley_Nicolson As a build it was pleasant and uncomplicated and it came out looking quite like a Hurricane to my eyes, which is the main thing! Although not really a scratchbuilder by inclination, I was nonetheless moved to do some fairly rudimentary, impressionistic (and now completely invisible) cockpit detailing, put in a cockpit floor to fill the gaping void which would otherwise have been visible through the wheel-wells, and cobble together a pitot tube and a foot stirrup (the latter being made out of a twist of picture wire.) I also had another go at weathering with a combination of dark washes and silver paint on the leading edges, which were then overpainted with some gaps to simulate chipping/flaking. I also tried to do some exhaust staining, which I think was slightly more successful. My painting still leaves something to be desired, though, and I *very* swiftly regretted forgetting to mask-off the cockpit canopy before I sprayed-on the varnish... 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwoolven76 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 I have a very similar hurricane with the same fogged canopy caused by the same error. Well done for starting to do a couple of scratch build parts. That's where the fun really starts. Anyway. Nice second build. Keep at it and try something new with every build. Bird grit is my next new thing. No idea if it'll work, but you never know. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Delta 210 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 You've done a wonderful job! I am so pleased to have inspired and encouraged you - you have turned out a great model, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Nice job, I have the same kit to do myself, hope it turns out as well as yours. Don't worry too much about the canopy, it happens to us all at sometime Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackem01 Posted February 17, 2014 Share Posted February 17, 2014 Always love a Hurricane, especially one as significant as this. Great build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bri48 Posted February 18, 2014 Share Posted February 18, 2014 Try painting a canopy panel with gloss varnish it might improve the appearance... Good looking Hurricane you have there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 18, 2014 Author Share Posted February 18, 2014 Thanks all for your encouraging comments, AD210 for the inspiration and Bri48 for the idea, which I shall certainly try. I forgot to mention it, and you probably can't see it but I also reshaped the radiator a bit to give it a more rounded profile at the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meatbox8 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Very nice build commemorating a courageous man. Looks like the old tooling holds up pretty well, a bit like their Spitfire VB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 SUPERBLY Built ..STUNNING. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Thanks both! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 20, 2014 Author Share Posted February 20, 2014 Try painting a canopy panel with gloss varnish it might improve the appearance... Thanks, it does seem to have helped! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JOCKNEY Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 The alternative is to ask Airfix for another one, yours being damaged in the kit when you bought it and with a bit of handy work with a sharp blade swap it for a newly painted clear one, having seen what a great job you have done on the rest of the aircraft it's a shame this is bothering you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Looks great,gloss coat has vastly improved the canopy,excellent scheme to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manipled Mutineer Posted February 21, 2014 Author Share Posted February 21, 2014 (edited) Many thanks both. I think I will soldier on with the canopy pro-tem. I did after all mess it up myself! Edited February 21, 2014 by Manipled Mutineer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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