Yet another Airfix 1/72 early Hurricane (to prototype)

[gingerbob]

OK, I'm going public on this one- my first (alleged) build here on WIP, though I've at least begun one or two in the Group Build region. So, fasten your seatbelts, or rather, get a blankie and a soft pillow, 'cause it's going to be a LONG flight... (to say I'm a slow builder would be generous, and I also am likely to ramble.)

Thanks to the forums, and TonyOT in particular (in quantity, if not in chronological order), this usually 1/48 leaning toward 1/32 fancier was seduced by Airfix's early-Hurri. After a period of "data gathering", and a bit of a crisis of faith, I decided to go ahead with my impulse to attempt the Hurricane prototype. The crisis was essentially between honoring the kit by doing a nice, simple, "brand spanking new Hawker Hurricane", or giving in to my predilection for complicating things by trying to do something different- and mutilating an innocent (or not) kit in the process. I rationalized my choice by telling myself I just needed to get another one or two of these.

Investigation led me to the conclusion that the prototype really wasn't THAT different from the production airframe's shape. However, there ARE some differences, which we'll explore along the way, and (more worrisome to me) for some inscrutable reason, Camm & Co put many of the panel lines in different places, especially in the cowling region. I haven't yet rescribed a kit- in fact I still think of recessed panel lines as a bit of a novelty- but I guess this is as good a place to learn as any.

Not wishing to take the easy way out, I have chosen to represent K5083 in "early" configuration- not necessarily first flight (guess I'd better decide for sure) but at least with the original wing, which had no provision for armament. So, score one for Airfix's mistake of showing fabric aft of the gun hatches, but take away one because those hatches have to go!

I should confess here and now that, while I am unable to shrug off the considerable differences in panel lines, etc (I tried), I also do not expect to achieve a perfect representation of the prototype. I know for a fact (or an interpretation) that there are some panel lines that might not be in quite the right place, but that I deem near enough to leave alone. You gotta draw the line (ahem) somewhere! So, all detail point-outs welcome, but don't be offended if I don't act on every one.

I've been meaning to try the "styrene slurry" approach to filler for a while, and my bottle of liquid glue was getting low enough that I decided to just chuck some sprue into it. (Reminder to self- buy new bottle of liquid glue!) I don't know what the ideal "thickness" is, so I put some in, gave it surprisingly little time, added some more, added a pinch of oregano, and reached a "definitely not straight liquid, but still easily brushable" condition. Gave it a try on a small panel line, let it dry, sanded a bit- hey, I think this is going to work! Soooo...

Here we are, with numerous lines glopped over (and hopefully filled). I know it's a little hard to see, sorry. Note that I was intentionally heavy-handed on the chin, because I believe that the prototype's lower cowl follows a more conventional (think Spitfire) curve, rather than the production Hurri's slight concavity, or impression thereof. I'm hoping this stuff'll build it up enough to do the job, rather than having to resort to the usual putty. Next step will be to sand back to a smooth surface then- assuming I can muster up the courage- attempt to scribe new lines in the desired locations.

An early thank you to Graham Boak, who sent me the prototype decals from the Xtradecal sheet (as well as a set of 5-spoke wheels that I'll save for the next one). Not to mention all the discussion while exploring the subject.

One challenge looming- the prototype's "square-topped" windscreen and hood (as well as spine, but that's a separate problem). Is there one available, or am I going to have to turn sculptor?

Don't miss the next exciting installment, when I either show you the stunning progress, or, more likely, give you a little summary of the prototype's evolution, as much as I've been able to work out...

bob

p.s. For a sneak peak at what I hope the end result will look rather like, see Steve's lovely "non rivet counter" rendition.

Edited April 16, 2014 by gingerbob

[chaddy]

Right; I'm sitting comfortably.

[gingerbob]

Welcome to the front row, chaddy, and thanks for coming!

bob

[HOUSTON]

Okay, this is gonna be very nice to follow.