Tim's Flying tin opener - COMPLETED

[theplasticsurgeon]

Joining with this kit.

Bought at IPMS Gloucester show earlier this year, to fill a 40mm gap in my Hurricane collection.

This project to be built and painted alongside an Italian theatre Spitfire, so you might see some joint photos.

[modelling minion]

Welcome to the GB Tim, and with a perfect choice, couldn't really have this GB without a desert Hurricane and especially a can opener.

 

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[Dansk]

Lovely choice Tim. Welcome to Desert Ops.

[Rafwaffe]

Nice choice! Looking forward to seeing how your build goes as I have one of these in the stash waiting to be built.

[theplasticsurgeon]

It's actually the same kit as this model, now with the 40mm cannons.

I'm informed that the tailplanes are slightly small.  I'll have to live with that.

[Troy Smith]

6 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

I'm informed that the tailplanes are slightly small

And the rest. 

 

It's easily the least accurate Hurricane kit since the 1960's.    

 

The tail is too small, the fuselage is too high, meaning it's humpbacked and the angle from cockpit to tail is wrong, the wings are a bit too slim in plan,  the nose is like a pencil at the front, the access panelling under the cockpit is like the prototype...  and the list goes on.      

Ironically the drawing on the box top above IS accurate.   

The reason? 

Hawker GA drawings are notoriously suspect.   Most likely source is in the 1987/1990 Francis K Mason Hurricane book, there are some very detailed drawings, that are utter garbage, and exhibit most of the faults above.    Evidently the designer never bothered to look at photos in anything apart from a passing way.  
 

This rather sobering piece by Arthur Bentley when he did his drawings in 1980 will explain why so many kits have problems. 

Sadly the only place where this info was published AFAIK was in that issue of Scale Models.

 

 

The kit from what I have seen builds well,  but the above faults will explain why it's not been reissued after it's initial run.   

 

Yes, i know it 'looks' like a Hurricane,  every Hurricane model does depending on how hard you  look....   

 

On a positive note they did at least pick a different decal option to BP188/JV-Z,   

BN977 JV-V , which is known from a film clip

here's a screen grab,  there are shots of the other side. 

note the yellow leading edge stripe and code running order

 

 

more on this here 

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235071194-hurricane-iid-6-squadron-leading-edge-wing-stripe-and-some-marking-observations/

 

Hope of interest. 

 

 

[theplasticsurgeon]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:13 AM, Troy Smith said:

And the rest. 

 

It's easily the least accurate Hurricane kit since the 1960's.    

<snip>

Well that's deflating to hear.

[CliffB]

53 minutes ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

Well that deflating to hear.

 

Nicely put Tim.  That made me smile (although possibly not your intention).  Enjoy your build regardless 

[stevehnz]

16 hours ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

Well that deflating to hear.

How I felt when I found out. 

I have since bought the Arma IId kit to replicate this one with, having been gifted  some extra decals by @3DStewart at the time I built this one.

Steve.

[3DStewart]

On 8/14/2023 at 3:13 AM, Troy Smith said:

Ironically the drawing on the box top above IS accurate.   

When Airfix subcontracted this product to me I was asked to do all the artwork for the box and the decal schemes.  Although the box top isn't an exact copy, I used the drawings in the Squadron/Signal publications as a basis augmented by some good quality copies I bought from the IWM of their library of photos.

While the Airfix kit has some inaccuracies, I feel they aren't really noticeable unless you are a Hurricane expert or holding it against drawings. To my eye the most obvious mistake (though relatively easy to correct) is the significantly undersized propeller.  The kit builds well and I've seen some lovely examples turned out as shows.

Airfix later re-released the kit as a Mk IIB with the Swordfish as an Operation Torch special.

[theplasticsurgeon]

Today's the day that the fun starts!

Parts,  including new cannons.

I'll be building this one - with the darker underside, and tin-opener badge.  So synonymous with No 6 Squadron.

 

[modelling minion]

Nice choice of markings Tim.👍

 

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[theplasticsurgeon]

Cockpit bits being prepared.

Undersize prop.  Retained by heat fixing on this occasion.

Wings are fuselage about to be 

fitted.

Kit instructions say that this was a Hurricane IIb, with one  tracer armed 303 per wing for sighting - rendering the wing top bulges and hatches inaccurate. 

[modelling minion]

Great to see your build underway Tim, and taking shape very nicely indeed.

 

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[theplasticsurgeon]

Does this dihedral look a bit flat?  I think so.

Underside ready for painting.  Wing cannon apertures filled.  Desert filter, radiator, and those 40mm cannons.

[modelling minion]

Very nice work Tim, she's taking shape nicely.

 

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[theplasticsurgeon]

Airbrushed Humbrol H230 PRU BlueX160 earlier this morning.

Followed by fitting and masking the canopy.

Then Airbrushed Humbrol 234 Desert Sand, not really mustard enough, but we'll see.

 

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

1 hour ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

Airbrushed Humbrol H230 PRU BlueX160 earlier this morning.

Followed by fitting and masking the canopy.

Then Airbrushed Humbrol 234 Desert Sand, not really mustard enough, but we'll see.

 

Granted not mustard enough (mid-stone) however it does look like an Italian color ? Maybe the plane was re-painted in Italian paints that were captured. 

[theplasticsurgeon]

Starting a rumour that a rumour that a warehouse full of enemy paint was overrun, captured - and used on RAF planes.

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

1 minute ago, theplasticsurgeon said:

Starting a rumour that a rumour that a warehouse full of enemy paint was overrun, captured - and used on RAF planes.

BTW your build has me inspired to build a Flying Can opener myself. Ive got an Arma IIc that will be converted to a IId and will be JV*— of 6 Sq. 

[modelling minion]

Nice smooth painting Tim, though I agree that Humbrol are a bit off with their colours this time.

 

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[81-er]

Rapid progress with this one, Tim

 

James

[theplasticsurgeon]

Masked up TimStyle.

Airbrushed Humbrol 29 Dark Earth, and demasked.

Canopy demasked.

[modelling minion]

Very nice Tim, the masking worked a treat.

 

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[Luke1199]

Coming along nicely, Tim!