RYAF Hawker Hurricane Mk.I

[jovapad]

First a bit about the history of the Hawker Hurricane in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, even though it has been discussed here on BM several times.

 

The Royal Yugoslav Air Force negotiated the import of the Hawker Hurricane with the British government April-May 1938. The first batch of 12 Hurricanes was delivered from December 1938 to April 1939. They were early Hurricane with fabric wings, 2-bladed propellers and no armored protection for the pilot. The second batch of 12 was delivered in March 1940 and they were the late type with metal wings, 3-blade propeller and armor for the pilot. 

Meanwhile, licensing rights for production in Yugoslavia were granted by Britain. The first plan to produce 100 aircraft in 2 factories (60 by ZMAJ and 40 by ROGOZARSKI) was soon reduced to 48 (24 each factory). It was also negotiated with Rolls-Royce to supply 60 engines. Yugoslav-built hurricanes were like British early, but with Merlin III and 3-blade propellers. Due to the imminent danger for Britain, delivery of the engines was stopped before the contract was completed. Because of this, Zmaj managed to complete 16 aircraft before the war, another 6 during the German attack and the last 2 just before the capitulation. Rogozarski had completed 90% of the ordered aircraft, but without the engines, due to the canceled delivery.

To fix that problem, the plan was to pair the Hurricane frame with the DB601 engine from the Bf 109E-3a because Yugoslavia had a lot of spare engines for Messerschmitt. The first Hurricane delivered to Yugoslavia was used as a test aircraft and the DB 601 was installed. It is noted that the performance with the new engine was excellent, and it was planned to start series production. Everything stopped because of the German attack on the Balkans. The prototype was destroyed by the crews. To this day, there is no known image of this very interesting aircraft. 

 

The model is a Hawker Hurricane from the second batch delivered from Britain, with metal wings. Camouflage was British from the period: DG, DE and silver undersurfaces with black and white wings.  The aircraft served with the 3rd pilot school at Mostar. 3rd pilot school with 4 Hurricanes and 3 Bf 109E-3 actually experienced a lot of air combat:

-April 6, over Korčula, Hurricanes and Bf109 led by KIk Zlatko Stipčić attacked 11 Cant Z1007 bis bombers from 35 Stormo / 47 Stormo, followed by 12 Macchi C200 from 370 Squadriglia, and damaged two bombers, Sgt Milan Marjanović shot down two Macchi's , while k2k Danilo Grbić and sgt.Milan Delić separate the formation, and according to Delic's statement, they shoot down a plane. On the same day, two Bf109 (kIk Stipčić and sgt.Grujić) and Hurricane (k2k Grbić) attacked 5 Cant1007 bombers, Stipčić and Grbić injured one each while Grujić shot down one. An hour later Stipčić attacked with Bf109 and Grbić with Hurricane, a group of 18 Ju88 and 8 Bf110, and in a different match Grbić was badly injured, jumped out, but died due to heavy blood loss. Lt.Djordje Vasojevic in Hurricane reported the shooting of a He111 the same day.

-April 8 lt Ivan Rubčić meets a Z1007 in Hurricane and claims to have shot him down.

-On April 12, Lt. Franc Godec chased a Ju88 (III / KG51), but his plane was damaged and he jumped out of the burning plane.

 

I can recommend reading on the topic:

http://leadenskybooks.com/hawker-the-yugoslav-story

 

 

[ForestFan]

Excellent build and history. Such a shame no pics of the DB powered Hurricane exists!

[Rabbit Leader]

That’s lovely, you’ve done a great job with this kit. Very well modelled. 
Cheers.. Dave 
 

[SAT69]

Very well done ... and thanks for the history lesson that goes with it!

[corsaircorp]

Really nice Hurricane !!

That Airfix kit is a delight and you achieved it brilliantly !!

Nice weathering too !!

CC

 

[Wulfman]

Gorgeous Hurricane, another great build !

 

Wulfman

[woody37]

Beautiful finish and great to see one in other markings. The simplicity of the markings sets off the gorgeous lines of the Hurricane well. Just the right level of weathering

 

[JBZ]

Nice kit. I didn't knew that Yugoslavia used metal covered wings Hurricanes.

Edited August 2, 2020 by JBZ

[Meatbox8]

A splendid looking Hurricane and a very interest8ing back-story.  Nice paintwork.

[F-32]

That's a great build, love the weathering

[PattheCat]

I didn't know that Yugoslavia used the fabric wing version. Thanks for the history lesson.

This kit is a little gem, sure but you did bring it to the next level.

What a brilliant paint job.

 

Never could have the sliding part of the canopy sit flush with the fuselage. How did you do it?

 

Pat

[72modeler]

What the others have said- excellent build and very interesting and informative history. Beautifully weathered, as well.

Mike

[jovapad]

On ‎8‎/‎6‎/‎2020 at 1:36 PM, PattheCat said:

Never could have the sliding part of the canopy sit flush with the fuselage. How did you do it?

Be sure to use the kits part for the open canopy. It sits rather nice and flush. It was glued and held in place with Gator glue. Held it with tape til the glue dried.

[2996 Victor]

I'd just like to echo the previous comments and say that you've built a superb Hurricane there, and the background history gives a fascinating insight into the Balkan campaign.

Having holidayed a couple of times in Yugoslavia as a child, staying on Hvar and Korcula, I can imagine clearly the desperate aerial battles over the beautiful blue of the Adriatic!

Thanks again and kind regards,

Mark