Airfix Hawker Hurricane

We take a look at the progress made on the Airfix 1:24 Hawker Hurricane. I talk about build issues, colour choices and paints used.

[@neil900uk]

Looking Good, Great detailing on the Engine. looking forward to seeing more updates.

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks Neil. The Hurricane has been on the back burner for a while as I screwed up the cockpit instrument panel on it and lost some mojo. I've since ordered and received a new instrument panel, so as soon as I clear the bench, its back on to the Hurricane. This has been by far the most popular subject I have posted a video on, so I had at least better get the plane finished!

[@desfisher4914]

Great to be able to benefit from your research mate. I'm in Victoria in COVID-91 Stage 4 lockdown: the perfect time to be making models. This kit is the first aircraft I ever did with my dad on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific when I was only 8-years old, so it is nostalgic to be having another go. Thanks for all the great tips. I am sure it will make my build less tedious than parts of yours sound like they were, as I am forewarned. Keep up the good work.

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks Des and hope you enjoy your build. Get yourself some good nippers and some sanding sticks as the mould is quite old and all the parts will need some cleanup. One thing is the decals in the later releases are better then you probably remember. Would be great if you give an update or even post your own video. Take care of yourself up there in Vic. Hope you have the bike on trickle charge, could be a while between rides. Dan

[@desfisher4914]

@@DansModelBench - I'm underway as we may come out of stage 4 soon! All good so far, but have the same warping on the RHS fuselage. I'll straighten it with heat and some scaffolding. This video has really helped. Thanks again.

[@DansModelBench]

@@desfisher4914 Good to hear you are making progress on it Des. Keep us posted. :)

[@neilf1587]

nice video m8, keep it up. i have just bought one and am using this as a bit of a guide. cheers

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks Neil, although its been a long time between drinks, when it comes to getting this model finished. My wife only commented yesterday, that I have to get it finished. I've got the newly tooled Airfix 1:48 Hurricane on the bench now, along with Tamiya's P-47D. Once they are done, I will have to revisit it and get it done. Dan

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

I bought it a few days ago in a scale model show. Very impressive !

[@DansModelBench]

Hope you enjoy the build. :)

[@vincentlefebvre9255]

@@DansModelBench I am sure of that ! 👍

[@lestermiller2717]

Love this model i’m working on one now. How or where can I come up with details of plumbing and electrical around the engine. I have ground off the raised wiring patterns on my engine and hand wired the motor using sewing thread. But I wish I had more just don’t know how to find it? This is a great kit fit really well. I barely had to clean up panel lines. I had to do a lot of kustom scratch work to really detail my cockpit by myself. Maybe someday I will find details parts and give that a try. I used that dense hard blue foam carved to fit into the body for glueing together the body. The nose area is very delicate so that help to keep the shape well. I really Like the paint work on your plane. I have to say that is my weak point though. Painting Aaaggg how do the pro’s build these models so fast, it takes me 5-8 months to finish up my models. All the wiring and extra plumbing making the flaps work all that fiddly bits. I’m going blind can’t do the 1/72 scale anymore just can’t see good enough. I’m working on painting my 1/72 scale Lancaster bomber dam buster. Decided to paint mine Desert pattern or Mediterranean pattern? Something different ya know.

[@grimreaper9666]

Hi looking forward to seeing this build, I am up to the same stage as you, been taking my time, I had the same problem as you with part 99 and had to glue part 255 in place as well. I think I am going to do the same as you with gauges. Do you know about the book Hawker Hurricane Classic Aircraft No 4 Their History and how to model them ? It looks great so far.

[@DansModelBench]

G'day grimR. No I didn’t know about the Hurricane book. Most of my research for the Hurricane has been online, because I tend to spend my money on too many “bargains” when it comes to my hobbies! That said the book does look interesting… The gauges came out well I thought and I can recommend the decal sheet. It’s fairly expensive for what you get, but it does lift up the interior of the model and it’s an easy job to do. Just a bit of sanding and you are good to put it together. I should have a picture up on my blog here of the gauges: www.vdlmodelbench.com/ I’m at work and of course the site is down for some reason, but it normally is available. Work so far is done for all the interior bits and the wings. I am tackling the seatbelts as the last step before I glue the whole lot together and that was when I am going to shoot my follow up build video. Unfortunately the seatbelt kit I mention is a nice piece, but I do find it incredibly fiddly. It has put me off the build to be honest. The wife has offered to help with putting the belts together as she is better with small stuff like that and then hopefully I can get on with the build! I also have a new airbrush waiting for me to get to the exterior painting stage too. The painting and weathering is a stage I am really looking forward to on this kit. Thanks for watching the videos and for your feedback. I hope you have plans to share your build too, as I would love to see it. Regards, Dan

[@keithtanner2806]

As a young child in the mid WW2 years I sat in the cockpit of an ex-Battle of Britain Hurricane, possibly it was a redundant Mk1. The inside of the cockpit was painted a sombre mid to dk green. There was definitely no silver or aluminium visible. A number of years later I had a couple of seats of a similar colour, although v different design. which were from from the flight deck of a WW2 Dakota.

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks Keith. That is excellent to know. I still have a couple of Hurricanes in the stash, so will keep in mind what you say. Dan

[@Gappyps3]

Same stage as ya vid mate, good to see how somebody else has done theirs 👍🏻

[@WorksOnMyComputer]

Hi Gappyps3. Its been on the backburner for a bit. I mucked up the instrument panel and lost patience with the seat belts too. I've since fixed the seat belts with the wifes help (she finished them) and I've ordered a new instrument panel to fix up my botch on that. The plane is buttoned up now, so when the new panel is here, I will put it in and do a follow up video. I've ordered some oils too, which I hope to use on the weathering finish of her. Glad I am doing this kit after so many years, but it hasn't been as much fun as I hoped at times. I think once i have the instrument thing sorted, I can start to enjoy the build again. Would love to see your progress on the Hurricane, so if there is a chance you can post a video or pictures on the net, please do and let me know the link! Thanks for watching. Dan

[@Gappyps3]

+Daniel D sounds a mare mate, yeah I heard the kit has fitting issues, especially around the cowling, I'm trying to work around that by having it on the deck with cowling off for maintenance, so trying to get the engine looking nice. I usually scratch build all my cockpit details, so I'll be custom fitting the belts and enhancing the panel. Trouble is I'm used to 1:72 😂. I'll try and figure a way of showing you what I've done so far mate 👍🏻. Ben.

[@DansModelBench]

Look forward to seeing your work in progress Ben. Yes there is a definite fit issue with the cowling. My particular kit wasn't helped by having a very warped nose out of the box. I got the fuselage together, but fit of the engine and cockpit is pretty ordinary. In particular I am having trouble getting the fuselage to join over the engine and over the instrument panel. It could be my engine and cockpit aren't sitting right, as I thought I was being clever, by gluing the nose together, to fix the warp and then putting in the engine and cockpit from underneath. Maybe I wasn't as clever as I thought. I am going to have another look at that when the new instrument panel gets here. I am thinking of using some thin plastic card under these joins to reinforce them and help give the glue something to bite into and hold the parts together. All I can say is, no matter what way you assemble the nose, test fit and test again. Try and reduce as much of the headaches as you can. The rest of the kit, so far has been pretty smooth sailing. I've done the rudder and the main wings and they went together fine. My kit, again had some moulding issues with the wings, but plenty of glue and some sanding fixed them fine. Dan

[@Gappyps3]

+Van Diemens Land Model Bench sorry if it's late, sounded like you are Aus or NZ, I'm in the uk so it's only nearly 7pm. I've put a quick vid up to show you my progress, if you click into my name and get to it through there. Cheers mate 👍🏻.

[@DansModelBench]

G'day Gappyps3. Very Nice! Certainly looking like a Hurricane. Its really cool to share this stuff, so really enjoyed getting your update. :) Looks like you are going to put the engine/cockpit together as per the instructions? I tried to be clever and and put the engine in, then glue the front of the fuselage together and then put the cockpit in from underneath. Thought it might help with getting the engine sitting a bit lower, so the cowels would fit, but no luck. I put the instrument panel in later too and since I did it after work when I was tired, I made a rookie mistake or just working at my skill level (take your pick) and glued it in, in the wrong position (to far forward). Pulled it out later but ruined a lot of my work on it. Not sure with hindsight the whole way I went about assembling it was a good idea. I've got a new photo etch instrument panel from Airscale now, so I have to repair the damage and put that in. Apologies for the late reply. The KZbin notification that you had posted, must have slipped by me, but it really was great to see your update. Keep me posted mate. Dan

[@Ralle1968]

Awesome!

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks!

[@johnbarnes7842]

Just completed my MK1. Struggled to get a good fit around engine covers also. Disappointing kit, going to try another make for next project as lost faith in Airfix Had similar issues with 1/24 MKV Spit

[@DansModelBench]

I'm hearing ya John. I've got a Trumpeter 1:24 Hurricane in the stash. I think the engine is wrong in it, but otherwise it looks ok.

[@tennentssuppa]

I have been given the original Hurricane to make from 1971 [Says on the price tag, £5 new] as a commission, unfortunately it had been started, and stuck together with an industrial adhesive, that no 'de-bonder' will touch, so I have had to cut the engine apart to get the electric [no longer available] motor for the prop into it. Inside is a leaflet saying "ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE AIRFIX MODELLERS' CLUB? CLUB PAGE EVERY WEEK IN BUSTER & VALLIANT COMICS" For some reason the pilot, has turned out to look like a neighbour, but it's a really good build [just hope it's complete, as all the parts have been cut from the sprues]. Had to change all the old Airfix colours, to Humbrol, then to Tamiya and Vallejo, as well

[@DansModelBench]

Sounds like quite the challenge Anthony. The good news is you have an early pop, so the parts should fit much better and the detail should be sharper as well. How about decals? Are they salvageable or are you looking at third party replacements?

[@johancouder8013]

Having watched the preview and progress report 1 I was looking forward to the next reports and the final reveal. What happened? Is it still in progress, or have you given up on the project?

[@DansModelBench]

Hi Johan, She is a shelf queen at the moment. I have about three or four kits in this state. Will get around to finishing it, but find the old and tired molds on this kit a chore. Cleanup and poor fitting parts got to me after a while. Dan

[@johancouder8013]

Thank you for the heads-up. I know the feeling ;)

[@johnhughes2653]

@@DansModelBench Mine is assembled & primed, but sitting on the shelf waiting for me to sort out a couple of issues. Firstly, the nose seems distorted so much that the engine covers are a very poor fit. I may also have to stick the side covers on to try and force the nose straight. Secondly, there is a step where the top of one wing butts up against the fuselage. I'm going to have to sand down very carefully to avoid destroying the surface detail. I added a little extra detail to the gun bays: Firing solenoids and braided electrical cables for each gun. The instrument panel was completely replaced abd I opted for metal landing gear. I know it's getting on in years, but I think the kit is still worth the effort. Given that I only paid £20 for it, I'm not complaining!

[@ivanbuljanvanboelken4676]

This engine on the beggining of this video is overwhelming. Did you made it?

[@DansModelBench]

Hi Ivan. No the engine is made from standard parts included in the kit. I used various paints, some different varnishes to simulate different finishes and a wash in places to pick out detail. Finished off with some Tamiya weathering master pastels over the whole model of the engine - but especially on the exhausts. Regards, Dan

[@antonrudenham3259]

The very first Hurricane MK 1's had no self sealing fuel tanks and they were all a simple tin colour. The later Mk1's had a self sealing reserve tank in front of the cockpit, these were a reddy brown and were in effect rubber bags. Those that came after all had self sealing tanks and all were the rubber bag reddy brown colour.

[@DansModelBench]

Ah that is very interesting! Perhaps you can offer some insight on this next question. I've read conflicting reports and photos, on the correct colour of the inside canopy frame for the Hurricane. It seems from what I can find, that this should be silver, at least on Battle of Britain era aircraft. Any thoughts?

[@antonrudenham3259]

I'm afraid I don't know that, but I do know that pre war aircraft were finished to a higher standard and that would include Hurricanes built 36-39. I suspect that there would be a mix of different frame colours during the BoB with a preponderance of bare aluminium towards the end. This is just supposition of course. If you know when your subject was built you could make an educated guess perhaps?

[@ivanbuljanvanboelken4676]

Dan's Van Diemens Land Model Bench Did you build that engine from the begining of this video? It is excelent!

[@lestermiller2717]

I have a couple of photos of the cockpit canopy it looks like a dull off color silver the outside looks a little bit brighter silver. Who knows could be the sun light helps. The overall engine is basically flat black or a little bit dark gray mixed in. The mags were a alumn color some small parts like pumps and stuff where alumn in color the spark plug where gold and white reddish brown wires coming off the plugs.

[@andrewthomasfinney752]

Dan, nice work. Just a minor detail at 11:03. I believe the two centre exhausts on your engine are in the wrong place as they are the rear most ones due to the more rounded outlets. I thought the ones in my same kit were badly moulded until I looked at photos of the real thing.

[@DansModelBench]

Cheers for that Andrew. It is customary for me to make at least one or two clangers in every build, so good to see you found it on this one! :) Ended up not finishing this kit as it was really frustrating, although I am still in two minds about buying it again and having a second go at it, now I have some more experience with building kits.

[@andrewthomasfinney752]

@@DansModelBench On my build I took your advice and fixed the starboard engine cover in place. I also had to cut the gearbox and engine apart after glueing due to misalignment of the engine halves. It wasn't until the propeller was offered up that the not so obvious error was seen. I am a bit frustrated with the kit as per your comment regarding how much flash needed to be removed although, after looking at many photos reference the missing doped detail behind the cockpit I see that the kit is correct to be smooth in that area. Any way, perhaps you should wait for new tooling before a second purchase, although I would like to see you take up the baton again on this one?

[@memkiii]

I know this is way past the time for comments, but others like me might be seeing it for the first time in 2021: As far as the middle and last exhausts being in the wrong place in this build video, that is right. They are. However, it is the kit that is wrong, not Dan. If you assemble it as instructed, the round hole will end up in the middle. It is not just the instructions that are wrong, that is how the parts are numbered, and sit on the sprue.

[@BooklessT]

Just back into modelling after a v long break. I have the kit from santa and just building the sub-assemblies. Santa also gave me the airfix electric motor which I am keen to add in. Has anyone any links showing how best to install it?

[@DansModelBench]

Tom. The best I could find was a discussion here: airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/Airfix_Electric_Motor_AF1004_about11540.html Looks like you will have to do a little surgery and buy some more parts to get the motor in your kit. Good luck with it and please share your results with everyone when you are done. Dan

[@BooklessT]

It turned out it was not so difficult after all. The first step was to build up the two halves of the engine block and put in firm foam "base" that brought the base of the motor up to the correct height, where the motor shaft was centred and parallel to the crankshaft line. It took a few foam shims to achieve that. It is easier to add thin slivers of foam than it is to remove the foam base and trim. Next was to cut a foam cover that just fitted under the top cover (I assume this is the rocket box) of the engine. Once glued in the motor is hidden. The two cables can be routed through the back of the engine via the supercharger / fan housing and connected as you see fit.

[@DansModelBench]

Hi Tom. I wouldn't have thought to use foam to shim the motor. Very clever! Thanks for sharing that. I have one of these electric motors somewhere and the 1:24 AIrfix Focke Wulf in my stash. Might give that a go on that plane. I have to get back to the Hurricane though. Building a diorama for my sons birthday right now (Spiderman theme) and also have a kit review to do. Still the new instrument panel from Airscale airscale.co.uk/store.php#!/1-24-Scale-Hawker-Hurricane-Mk-1/p/58650135/category=16104112 arrived the other day for the Hurricane the other day, so excuses for not making progress are looking thin. Hope you post some pics of your progress. Would love to see the build. Dan

[@supercededman]

Hi Daniel. 6 years on, did you finish this project? I was barely a teenager when it was first released in 1973!

[@DansModelBench]

G'day Steve, Six years on? Now you are making me feel guilty. :). Unfortunately no. I've moved since I recorded that video and the Hurricane didn't make the move. I don't really want to go back to that kit as it wasn't a fun build with the kits issues and Airfix's new 1:48 Hurricane is much better. What I did do is buy a Trumpeter 1:24 Hurricane, so that might well make a future video. Dan

[@DansModelBench]

BTW I just watched your game video driving an MX-5 around Mt Panorama. Nicely done!

[@supercededman]

@@DansModelBench thanks! I put it there just to show the odd friend here or there. Not really pushing a barrow. Boring as all Hell. Lol.

[@supercededman]

@@DansModelBench hi Dan. Yeah, I figured that may have been the case. A really old kit, great for its time, but the new 48 is a really nice kit. I'm working on it now, trying to get back in the groove :-)

[@peskybobcat]

It’s was war time they used what ever they could get there hands on

[@DansModelBench]

Too true.

[@janbarcewicz1921]

BLE, ble,ble ble.......

[@DansModelBench]

I've no idea what that is supposed to mean, but thanks Jan for making the effort. I think.

[@michaelcogger5725]

You are great at telling us what you've done and how great you are but never show us how you do Anything !!!!! so of ABSOLUTELY NO USE to anyone starting out watching utube to learn. Enjoy your showing off whilst protecting your technique. BORING DOESN'T COME CLOSE TO US WISHING TO LEARN SOMETHING..

[@DansModelBench]

Thanks for the feedback Michael. I'll organise a full refund of the course fees. Also your caps lock is on. Now if there is something specific you would like to know more about, please feel free to ask and I'll try and help.