Not the BBMF Hurricane LF363

[Acklington]

Yep, it's the BBMF's famous Hurricane IIc LF363, "but not as we know it Jim";

Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (2) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (6) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (8) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (10) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr

Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (16) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr
Hurricane IIc, LF363, 62 OTU, Ouston, early 1945 (20) w by Philip Pain, on Flickr

It is the Heller 1/72 Hurricane IIc kit, built 'out of the box' and finished as Hawker Hurricane IIc LF363 of 62 OTU at RAF Ouston, Northumberland, in early 1945. The OTU had a complement of 29 Wellington T.18 airbourne radar trainers, and 23 Hurricane IIc to act as targets for the trainee operators. LF363 was just another bog standard Hurricane in those days, and its later history seems to have started in 1947 when it was refurbished by Hawkers, the armament removed, a different Merlin engine installed (with six exhaust stacks each side), and an all silver paint scheme applied with post-war D-type roundels. It then served with some RAF Station Flights until it became the RAF's last airworthy Hurricane, and is now the RAF's oldest aircraft still on charge.

There are no known photos of it in 1945, and once again I have had to assume how it might of looked when being chased around the skies of Northumberland by Wellingtons. The camouflage scheme is standard for the period, and by 1945 the upperwing 'C-type' roundels should have been adopted, although I have not been able to find a single Hurricane photo that confirms them, mostly because the camera angles hide them. Neither is it known what code letter was applied to LF363, and 62 OTU used double digits for the Wellingtons, and single letters for the Hurricanes, so it could be any one of 23 letters. However, LF363 is known to have earlier been 'F' of 309 (Polish) Squadron, so I have used that letter as a nod to its earlier history.

Thanks for looking.

[224 Peter]

A great pair.... Very well done! 

 

One question: the Dark Green on the Wimpy is a different shade to that on the Hurricane. Are they different brands of paint? Just curious, given the recent debate here on the "right" Dark Green. 

[Acklington]

Many thanks '224 Peter', and you've made me stop and think about my dark greens!

 

I've always used Humbrol 30 Dark Green for my 'bomber' types, and I wanted this Wellington to sit well with the others. I have paint chips from local crash sites, mainly Ansons, and Humbrol 30 seems a good match.

 

For late war (1945) and post-war fighters I've tried several greens and aim for good contrast, and also a colour that matches the more accurate airworthy warbirds currently seen on the display circuit. So it is Humbrol satin 163 that I have used. It would look far too dark on a 'bomber'.

 

I'll have to do some further research!

[tonyot]

They both look brilliant,........ love them both but the Wimpey conversion is stunning,

 

Cheers

        Tony

[224 Peter]

55 minutes ago, Acklington said:

Many thanks '224 Peter', and you've made me stop and think about my dark greens!

 

I've always used Humbrol 30 Dark Green for my 'bomber' types, and I wanted this Wellington to sit well with the others. I have paint chips from local crash sites, mainly Ansons, and Humbrol 30 seems a good match.

 

For late war (1945) and post-war fighters I've tried several greens and aim for good contrast, and also a colour that matches the more accurate airworthy warbirds currently seen on the display circuit. So it is Humbrol satin 163 that I have used. It would look far too dark on a 'bomber'.

 

I'll have to do some further research!

I always used 30, but all my paints are 1970s vintage. I purchased a new pot of 30 and felt it was too blue green, rather than olive green.

Compared with a Spitfire painted in the 1970s I find 163 that now seems to match better. 

This is the Spitfire, painted back then in 30.... 

To me it is closer to your Hurricane than your Wellington! 

 

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Great looking Duo 👍

[stevej60]

Both beautifully done,I love the Heller kit still build's well and is cheap as chips to get hold of,great job all round,607's Spitfire to come?

[303sqn]

309 Squadron operated two Hurricane IIs code 'F', LF363 & LF652. They were coded WC with the individual letter forward of the roundel on both sides.

There is a photo of a hurricane which might be 'F' or 'B' but the serial number cannot be seen. It carried an emblem of some kind on the nose.

 

309's Hurricane Mk IVs appear to have only the individual letter behind the roundel. No squadron codes. There is no documention that ties up the serials with the 'letters'. 

 

Mk IV

 

KZ680, LD571, LD865, LD971, LD976, LE268, LE291, KE292, LE393, LE396, LE397,  LE509, LE510, LE511, LE570, LE658, LE659, LE660, LE680,LE749, LE834.

 

MK II.

 

LF331 (WC-G), LF333 (WC-H), LF335 (WC-Z), LF342 (WC-Y), LF359 (WC-B), LF363 (WC-F), LF620 (WC-A), LF630( WC-S), LF633 (WC-T), LF634 (WC-H), LF637 (WC-P), LF644 (WC-D), LF647, LF650 (WC-J), LF652 (WC-F), LF657 (WC-M), LF658 (WC-E), LF685 (WC-O), LF692, LF695 (WC-B), LF697 (WC-L),  LF699 (WC-R), LF705 (WC-K), LF707 (WC-L), PG428 (WC-W), PG429 (WC-U).

 

 

[HOUSTON]

Acklington.

 

  firstly.

 

 and Secondly... your Two models are very IMPRESSIVE and STUNNING .

 

really lovely.. thank you for sharing it and I  think they are the BEST ones i have seen .

 

  

Edited March 4, 2018 by HOUSTON