Johnson

Interesting news over on the Rumourmonger page ...

Might it be available by 5th March 2026?

Yes, you're quite right, they are the curved/drooped blades on the right. Over most of their length they curve down gently, as they should. But they curve back up slightly about 1.5cm from the ends, possibly due to the limitations of the mould? The curve up is quite noticeable on Mike Cooks' build (Facebook - British Aviation in Scale). But I don't think it's an insurmountable problem and gently bending the blades should fix them. Charlie

Not sure if anyone has mentioned the main rotor blades, but I noticed that they lack the classic Wessex curve (or droop)... I was looking at a build on British Aviation in Scale; https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=32578003915123872&set=pcb.24821726994150515 And I couldn't help but notice the curvature of the blades, caused by the way Airfix moulded them. I may have to bend them slightly. Charlie (this comment originally posted in @Mike kit review, so maybe needs to be deleted there).

The problem with the Airfix kit is as @Chuck1945 says. The outside of the nacelle is correct so with the thickness of the plastic the u/c is a bit narrow, can't have both I guess. I used the Barracuda set on my Airfix B.XVI. They knock the spots off the Airfix parts. But very, very delicate. Getting them off the resin supports without breaking something was quite a feat in itself. I opted to fit mine after painting etc and it was tricky, best to trial fit first and make sure the holes they go into are generous and free from obstruction. I got a small break in the delicate resin but easily fixed with superglue. Charlie

Ready for paint. I will spray a bit of Mr Surfacer over the fuselage join on the engine cowling to check it's OK, but the rest should be fine. The new kitchen floor is down and most of the stuff back in, so hopefully will make more rapid progress. I hope Charlie

Thanks Enzo - I might even get mine finished! (Replacing the kitchen floor after a flood, house in chaos). Charlie

I should think not Steve, looks lovely! And an open cockpit as well! Charlie

Do I mind Roy? Another Lightning would be excellent! You're added! Thanks Rui, Can't have too many Lightnings - you're on the list. Charlie

Thanks for the excellent review Mike. I received my kit yesterday and it looks really good. Possibly not Mike. I was looking at a build on British Aviation in Scale; https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=32578003915123872&set=pcb.24821726994150515 And I couldn't help but notice the curvature of the blades, caused by the way Airfix moulded them. I may have to bend them slightly. Charlie

Thanks Gerard! Thanks chaps! I did drill out the holes which helped, but what I should have also done is cut down the lugs as well, thus getting the frame closer to the fuselage sides. I did notice the over wide PE I/P and filed down the edge of the I/P and reamed out the recess as much as I dared (it's paper thin now!). But the main issue is the frames which I see from Patrice's @TEMPESTMK5 Mk.II build Arma did away with. Did you see my comment above about forgetting to fit the PE throttle levers? Well, I had them painted and ready to fit last night... was just getting them in place holding them with tweezers... and PING!!! Off the Nth dimension! Pah! I had to replace them of course, with plasticard. And how's this for a ridiculous PE part that no-one will ever see? The rudder adjustment. I reckon it's about 0.5mm Barely visible. But it had to go in! Right, let's get that fuselage closed and the wings on. Charlie

A good observation Steve. I'm having a lot of trouble getting the Mk.1 fuselage to close properly which seems to be down to the framework which is very nice but too wide, Looking very good Patrice, I hope to be where you are in a day or so. Charlie

Your mystery display idea set me thinking. . I may have an inkling of what you intend, but I'll keep quiet unless I give the game away! Charlie

Excellent recovery Rob! Charlie

I followed the kit instructions but left PE1 until after the last decal (PE39) had been applied, which made more sense to me and was easier in getting the decal down. The clear parts of the decal give the impression of the glass instrument fronts. If you look really, really closely! PE3, the compass, was painted then dabbed with Kristal Klear. Cockpit is finally done, after a ridiculous amount of time! The detail Arma Hobby provided is just amazing. My favourite bit of PE is the H shaped selector box on the RHS of the cockpit which used one moveable handle to control both the flaps and the undercarriage... with predicable results! All to be hidden away as I close up the fuselage. I'm still hopeful of a completion before the end date. Charlie P.S. Just noticed the lack of throttle levers - they will be added!

Kit arrived today. I couldn't resist a quick comparison with A.A.P. Lloyd's plans (Scale Models March 1972). I didn't want to take the parts off the sprues, so there are erroneous distortion and perspective issues with my photos, but the parts match extremely well in dimensions. The surface detail is just incredible, and we finally have a P-51 with filled panel lines on the wings. I think the challenge for us will be keeping that detail when painting. All in all, a stunning kit. Well done Arma. Charlie

I'm a bit late but... Great model and colours! Charlie

I found this site useful for the cockpit, not sure how original it is, looks like a good restoration. https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196916/hawker-hurricane-mkiia/ The photos don't seem to open easily, or not on my laptop. I opened each one in a new tab. Here's one (posted using the internet image address):

This morning I was drooling over the reviews posted above... and at 13.10, an email from Hannants that they had the kit in stock!

They look brilliant, I wish they'd been around when I made my 1/24th Mk.1 A couple of things about the Airfix kit, which you may already know, the two panel lines under the door should only be one. Probably based on K9942 which has reinforcing strips of metal at the same location, and other places on the wings. The electrical connection plug on the port side was also something introduced on later Spitfires. Cheers.

This is only the second Hurricane I've ever built . The first was a Revell Mk.2 that, not knowing better (it was a long time ago, no books or internet), I built in BoB markings... It sits on the back of the shelf and is OK if you don't look closely or know much about Hurricanes. --------------------------------------------------------- Today's progress. The kit instrument panel is complicated... A mix of plastic, decals and PE. But pretty good when done. And the seat is quite involved as well; I was pondering about whether the lower shoulder straps should go through the hole as the instructions say, or over the top of the seat and down the back. An old debate, done to death here on BM and elsewhere. Luckily I looked in the Wingleader book and there's a great period photo on page 37 of the straps going through the hole. So... I was actually looking in the Wingleader book to see whether BoB Hurricanes camouflage was hard or soft edged. And, at the risk of starting another debate, many photos (and profiles) suggest a well defined but soft edge. Cheers!

A very nice build Rob, you got an excellent finish with the MRP. And I like the masking technique, which I may have to use, when (if 😂) I ever get there. Cheers, Charlie

Has it really been that long? It's been ages!!! But, progress, if slow, has been made. The kit has a reputation for a tricky wing to fuselage fit, so a bit of dry fitting: There are tiny bits of excess plastic on the wing join which, if not removed, introduce gaps. And the lower edge of the wing also benefits from a bit of careful reduction: But not too much or it will compromise the strength of the join. I assembled all the parts that need a spray with aluminium: I did try the new A-Stand Aluminium Metallic Lacquer. But it didn't seem to work. So back to my dwindling stock of Alclad. Upper cockpit in Humbrol 78: Next up, assemble the frames, the I/P and rest of the PE going into the cockpit. Cheers, Charlie

Having looked at the link provided by @Tbolt https://www.armahobby.com/70070-p-51d-mustang.html?hash=d63a0d15cb39f5779da768a1109ac575 I wondered whether Hannants would be stocking the basic kit or the more expensive version with the 3D parts. So I asked them, and got this back: ’Thanks for your email, as far as I am aware the 3D printed parts will be included in the kit we receive from but I cant be sure of this until the kit arrives into stock I’m afraid.’ They are only listing one kit without much information. It’ll be interesting to see what arrives.

Thank you for posting that. The colour looks very different to the usual grey-green we're used to, and seeing it in the video gives an even better impression of the colour.