Pretty good for an OLD kit! Airfix 1/24 Scale Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 - Unboxing Review

The Airfix "Super Kit" series in 1/24 scale has been around since the 1970's and features a number of aircraft. Today though, they reappear in the Vintage Classics range due to their age - but how do they hold up to modern standards?
Join me in this video as I take a look inside the box of the 1/24 scale plastic model kit from Airfix featuring the Hawker Hurricane Mk.1.
Watch the Airfix Mystery Box video here:
• What's inside my Airfi...
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This video is intended for adult scale model enthusiasts.
Model Minutes holds no responsibility for any accidents, damage or injury that could occur as a result of attempting to replicate any steps depicted in this video. This video is intended for entertainment only.
All information in this video is believed to be correct at the time of editing. Model Minutes holds no responsibility for errors or changes.
Unless specifically indicated, all products have been independently purchased.
Music used from Epidemic Sound:
First Horizon - ELFL www.epidemicsound.com/track/Y...
#Airfix #Hurricane #modelkit

[@alantoon5708]

When Airfix made this kit they had excellent drawings for the Hurricane. I have the recent 1/48 Hurricane I which is also excellent. This was a great model for 50 years ago.

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, it does look pretty good :D

[@chrispacer4231]

Where does one put a large model of that size to display… I got a 1/24 P - 51 mustang for CHRISTMAS… I thought It was HUGE … I built it and hung it from my bedroom ceiling… I enjoyed watching this, brought back a good memory Actually, the kit was from MPC MODELS… They had the license to manufacture AIRFIX KITS… GOOD REVIEW… CHRIS from OHIO 🇺🇸

[@ModelMinutes]

I'm not sure where I am going to put this when it is finished lol

[@christopherjones4767]

Re: the display stand, 2 AA batteries were indeed fitted beneath the stand & wires fed up the stand to an aftermarket Airfix motor which could be placed in the engine cowl which allowed the prop to spin. I guess 'modern' health & safety laws now prevent this motor being sold, as you spun & stopped the prop using your finger !! 😳 (check out original issue instruction 'booklet' if you can !). The Hurricane is a lovely kit - nice to see it back.

[@ModelMinutes]

i'm glad my assumptions were right!

[@Armadacon]

@@ModelMinutes It's not so much a 'Health & Safety' thing. It's a case that the motors were no longer available. FROG Used the motos in their 'Spin a Prop kits. Dinky also used the same motors in some of their die cast toys (The 719 Spitfire being an example). When the motors ran out. The Dinky Spitfire was released without one.

[@paulnutter1713]

I got mine for £30 a few year ago from Debenhams of all places, think I'll be in a box before it gets out of its own

[@ModelMinutes]

fingers crossed you find time to build it soon :D

[@robertbate5790]

Built one of these kits at first release in my late teens. Beautiful kit to build, and a great resulting finish. Sadly long lost in the mists of time. Very fair review I thought too, thanks 👍👍👍👍

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks!

[@iankingsley2864]

Fun review, thanks Matt 👍. Big kit and looks straightforward to build. I like your idea of displaying it with a 1/72 version, that would look nifty.

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, i think that would be a good representation of scale :D

[@jonmccormick602]

I’m just getting back into modelling now that I’m retired (and I’m afraid guitars and Prog Rock took over from modelling in the 70s for me!) but I do have a stash of the original 1/24th scale “Super Kits” including this one. All of the original models were accompanied at the time by a book you could buy written by Roy Cross and Gerald Scarborough, the “Classic Aircraft and how to model them” series. I still have all of these books too. This one was particularly good as the modelling part showed how to remove a large number of the fuselage panels and to scratch build the tubular structure for the fuselage, adding in all of the pipe work, cables etc. Not much of a secondary accessories market in 1973! I’ll definitely be interested in this build.

[@ModelMinutes]

Wow that sounds like a fun project, can’t say I’ve seen those books but opening the panels would be interesting

[@Danzo1957]

I remember those books. The detailing described would make this into a fantastic model, way beyond my resources at the time.

[@jeff88701]

Omg matt I remember building this kit in 70s a very nice kit for its age 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@ModelMinutes]

nice!

[@stuff31]

No idea if you've still got this in your stash, but if you do then I would LOVE to see you build it. It would probably be some ludicrously big saga spread across like three videos, but I would watch every second of it. I love big kits, and I love vintage kits, and I don't think there are any super in-depth videos on this model on KZbin right now! Your vids are super interesting and I'm sure you'd have a lot to say about this as you build it. It would be amazing!

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks! I would love to build this one soon, but sadly have had no time 🫠

[@stuff31]

@@ModelMinutes Maybe some day soon! I will eagerly be clicking when I see it uploaded.

[@stephenogden5470]

I remember building this kit when it first came out when I was about 13 year old, and it was an impressive kit.

[@ModelMinutes]

😊

[@natalebabbo-gunplaanddioramas]

Nice review. I was able to get hold of the original 1973 version of this kit from ebay at a reasonable price. I look forward to your build and get inspiration for my built of the same kit.

[@ModelMinutes]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@bluegirl77777777]

Another nice kit to build is the monogram phantom mustang in 1/32, where the body and wings are made of clear plastic . It comes with 2 electrical motors, one for the prop and one for undercarriage

[@ModelMinutes]

I have heard about that one, sounds really fun!

[@Gremlins_Modelling_Mayhem]

Thanks for the review Matt. Interesting B scheme from an historical perspective that it's the aircraft of the person Princess Margaret wanted to marry but was not allowed to.

[@ModelMinutes]

That is interesting!

[@jaws666]

@@ModelMinutes never built anything this big....only do 1/72 due to space restrictions but would like to some day.

[@kenmorris2228]

This is a lovely kit. It goes together well and builds to an impressive model . I bought an aftermarket Sutton harness for the cockpit which looks really impressive. If I have any criticism, it would be the rubber tyres. I would have preferred plastic ones.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@martinsearle714]

Its a nice kit, went together well I built it around 5yrs back. Fit is really good and you can leave the gun covers on but unglued they hold in tight enough and can be removed. The old style sprues always tend to loose parts as they aren't proper frames but the bag is there to catch the parts. Its one of the better old 1/24 airfix kits but the Stuka was the best one IMO. Pity they haven't re-released the FW190 1/24th scale as yet.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@pabloer3]

lindo unboxing, interesante kit, lo pondre en mi lista de buscados, saludos desde Argentina

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for watching!

[@SprueFascinationChannel]

Nice review, Matt 👍

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks! 👍

[@neilhaas]

Nice model kit review Matt. Famous fighter plane of the RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk 2 I like this model fighter plane. I have two Hawker Hurricanes very nice. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧❤️👍🤗😁😀👍

[@ModelMinutes]

very cool!

[@PeterPan-iz1kk]

I built this model when I was about twelve years old, about forty years ago now, and it came out really nice.

[@ModelMinutes]

nice!

[@modelmagic9930]

Did anyone else notice Matt’s wheelie bad pun?

[@memkiii]

I found it very tiring.

[@modelmagic9930]

@@memkiii good one mate.

[@ModelMinutes]

lol went off the road on that one :P

[@jasonmussett2129]

Ah happy memories thank you😀😀😀😀👍

[@ModelMinutes]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@MrVolvobloke]

I remember building that one with a fictitious desert scheme !

[@ModelMinutes]

sounds fun!

[@andrewdrabble8939]

I've got that very same kit in the stash. I bought mine for £20 or £30 from The Works a couple of years back

[@ModelMinutes]

that's a good price!

[@neilhaas]

I only needed four more of those Hawker Hurricanes models. Nice kit & decals too. Fought against the Luftwaffe planes the Luftwaffe itself. ❤️🤗😁😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇩🇪

[@ModelMinutes]

:D

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

7:59 I bought his in 1983 when i was in he UK and you're correct about the motor. It was the same motor Mechanno used in their Dinky range of aircraft and they were a flick start motor, the motor was located inside the Merlin. They did this by making a 2 pole motor with only 1 fixed magnet so the motor wouldn't start on it's own, it had to be started manually like an old WW1 rotary engine. These motors are made out of unobtainium, I'm looking for a couple for my Dinky planes. The tyres on mine have cracked and are misshapen from age and Airfix told me they can't replace them.

[@diecastrescue3597]

A good source for those motors on ebay are wrecked dinky Sea King helicopters

[@harryspeakup8452]

Much superior 1/24 Hurricane aftermarket wheels and tyres are available in cast resin by Barracuda. You can buy them at Hannants online store

[@potrzebieneuman4702]

@@diecastrescue3597 thnks for the heads up, I'll look into that.

[@ModelMinutes]

I think that perhaps there could be some aftermarket resin replacements for the wheels somewhere

[@markshellard5894]

Still builds into a nice kit

[@ModelMinutes]

i hope so!

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thanks lee

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for watching!

[@michaelcampin1464]

As it was bagged up I think you have the parts. The stand is based on the cantilever principle so it should hold the kit up without a problem

[@ModelMinutes]

i hope so!

[@seanstar69]

Mate...I got mine about 5 months ago,I had a dig through the box because of the loose parts it was immediately put in the loft. I know it's all in there but it put me off starting it. If you decide to build 6 I'll get mine back out and build alongside you as you go along.

[@ModelMinutes]

awesome! Maybe towards the end of the year I will find time to start this one

[@MGB-learning]

Great video.

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks!

[@allgood6760]

Nice one mate👍.. we do have a Hawker Hurricane at MOTAT... here in NZ👍✈️🇳🇿

[@ModelMinutes]

Oh wow!

[@jasonmussett2129]

I think I' d use resin wheels, but yeah, I' d love to build this kit again. I was fifteen when I first built this

[@ModelMinutes]

that's a good idea - resin might be better - but I i build it "wheels up" i suppose it won't matter too much

[@lxtechmangood9503]

Ooohh tempting

[@ModelMinutes]

:D

[@elebeu]

I just picked up this kit at a hobby shop this morning for $10. It is the original release by MPC and is an open box, missing the instructions and decals but complete otherwise. I'm hoping that this and other videos will assist me in the construction.

[@ModelMinutes]

The MPC version is the same kit but a rebox of the Airfix tooling. $10 is a great price though

[@joesanchez979]

Nice kit😃

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks 👍

[@trappenweisseguy27]

I’d say their investment in the moulds has been handsomely repaid.

[@ModelMinutes]

I'd imagine so

[@MillwalltheCat]

I built this kit about 30 years ago, and bashed it into a Sea Hurricane without too much bother. It's still well worth the time and effort to bulid, and its age and price holds up to some newer offerings.

[@ModelMinutes]

sounds fun!

[@DansModelBench]

It was a very nice kit for its day, but that day has certainly passed. The molds are old and tired, there are fit issues around the cowling and the detail can't match newer offerings like Airfix's own 1:48 Hurricane. The Spitfire got a new tooling and the Hurricane certainly deserves the same in this scale.

[@ianbeale2527]

I remember it being on sale in Ian Allen for only £30. The guy behind the counter told me it was because of the left fuselage being warped along with flash that made it impossible to fit the cowling.They had a few of them for sale. Needless to say I passed on it. Bought the Trumpeter 1/24 Hurricane instead at £45. Well worth the money.

[@hawnyfox3411]

@@ianbeale2527 = That "left fuselage being warped" remark you made.... Does that mean "just the one you looked at", or, does it relate to ALL of them (being warped ?) I've never opened mine up - (still factory-sealed, bought from Debenhams for £29.00) Being LARGE it's put-by for my retirement phase, due to family members & lack of house space Mine was/is "in the Red box" (circa 2015), not the 'Vintage Classic' boxing

[@ianbeale2527]

@@hawnyfox3411 It definitely was warped on the one I looked at. The guy from Ian Allen said that's why they were discounted to £30 as they'd had buyers bring them back complaining. I also saw a review here on KZbin going in to more detail. After seeing this review, I tried to look for it, but can't seem to find it. However, I have come across a build where the builder has built it up really nicely, but can't seem to fit the cowlings. BUT, it may have just been a bad batch.

[@timorvet1]

@@ianbeale2527 The top part of the engine cowlings needs to be thinned down with a grinding tool so it sits flush with the fuselage and also a bit of sanding and clean up of the frame work. Having done that it made the world of difference.

[@ModelMinutes]

I'm not sure they would re-do the hurricane, at least not a mark1

[@leesimmons2632]

I remember the days when you just brought them, stuck some glue and paint on them and they looked great, but now the fun has gone out of it because it become to serious

[@ModelMinutes]

I still do that today…

[@julianmhall]

The aircraft /could/ be displayed rearming between sorties with the pilot sat in it and the gun bays open as mechanics load more ammo. That would require ground crew figures but it's a thought :)

[@ModelMinutes]

yes, it would be cool, sourcnig figures can be tough though

[@julianmhall]

@@ModelMinutes that's what Thingiverse is for *lol*

[@davidharrington1133]

Got one to build in the stash

[@ModelMinutes]

me too lol

[@dannyliu214]

Great video and nice kit!! I think I will need a bit more bravery to tackle a 1/24 kit tho.

[@jasonmussett2129]

Danny. I' d love a crack at the 24 th scale Stuka😀

[@ModelMinutes]

fingers crossed you have a go in the future!

[@jasonmussett2129]

@@ModelMinutes I've always wanted to build the Stuka. I think it has been reissued. Hope so😀

[@ModelMinutes]

@@jasonmussett2129 yeah reissue this year

[@jasonmussett2129]

@@ModelMinutes Thanks. I' ll start saving😀👍

[@ingosippel9653]

Das ist der beste Maßstab, klasse

[@ModelMinutes]

Thanks for watching 😊

[@Rusty_Gold85]

Its only a few years younger than me at 50 years old @1973

[@ModelMinutes]

:D

[@rwd76]

I built that, or rather my father built it for me, so many, many years ago.

[@ModelMinutes]

nice!

[@ericadams3428]

From what I remember (and I bought it in 1974), the engine was too big for the cowling and the panels didn't fit properly so I displayed with the panels off.

[@harryspeakup8452]

correct. The engine is actually a much better 1/24 scale representation than the one in the earlier Spitfire, but because the engine itself is the right size, given the moulding limitations which mean the cowlings have to be much thicker than scale, then the whole of the nose ends up too big. On the Spitfire they made the engine under-scale so that it fits within a scale nose.

[@ModelMinutes]

I think mine will be "flying" when i build it, so hopefully will avoid that issue

[@Harikejn]

Very excellent review as well dear friend. I can say one thing here: That is one big model kit as well. And since you mentioned that it is repacking from the 70's, I also have one model kit from the 70's. I have a Gazelle helicopter also from Airfix. Only difference is that the scale of the model kit is in 1/72 as well. And speaking of Gazelle helicopter, do you know if the Airfix made some other Gazelle helicopters in the meanwhile? I ask cause of curiosity as well.

[@ModelMinutes]

Hmm, i'm not aware of any gazelle helicopters from Airfix in recent times, have you taken a look at scalemates.com ?

[@Harikejn]

@@ModelMinutes I see. I haven't tried that. But still thanks for the help as well.

[@ianbeale2527]

I wonder if the moulds have been tidied up. A few years ago this kit was given a scathing review due to the one half of the fuselage being noticeably warped and the flash around the nose framing being so bad as to make it unbuildable. It was being sold off for £30 in Ian Allen , the guy behind the counter told me that people were bringing them back, the left fuselage was so bad.

[@ModelMinutes]

I think that they may have fiddled with the moulding pressures if there is less flash and warping

[@peterwentworth9181]

Just getting back into the hobby and currently working the Airfix 1/72 Lancaster. Years ago l had a few real flying lessons in a Piper Warrior. Do you know of any kit manufacturers making GA aircraft?

[@TringmotionCoUk]

Special hobby and valom have some and airfix has an Auster coming out soon Have a look on scalemates for specifics

[@ModelMinutes]

Airfix lancaster looks good! - I have the dambuster version in the stash

[@Model_Junkers]

Funny thing I’ve got a hawker kit on my desk but I’m currently battling tonsillitis

[@ModelMinutes]

Get well soon!

[@jaws666]

Yes get well soon.

[@bluegirl77777777]

I remember that you could put an electric motor in the engine to spin the prop , or was that the spitfire or mustang

[@ModelMinutes]

yes, this one can take a motor

[@davidrose9183]

I ve just purchased this off ebay for 60 smackers along with spitfire m1 vintage for 65 there are others the same on there going on there 70-90 got a deal buy buying them both saved 40 quid .any tips on after market product for the cockpits only

[@ModelMinutes]

hmm, im sure that a google search might throw up some results for cockpit details

[@NoobiousDoobious237]

Now that you have a 3D Printer, you mind doing the Henschel 129 in your Stash?

[@ModelMinutes]

I was hopeing to be able to design and print the missing parts for that one, but at the moment i have a severe lack of time to do the CAD and printing

[@harryspeakup8452]

This one is not their finest hour due to the distorted nose and too-thick wing. Unusually, the 1/24 Trumpeter kit is very good indeed and much better than the Airfix one.

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info!

[@PhantomPlayzReal]

Where did you get this kit?

[@ModelMinutes]

It was from an Airfix mystery bundle

[@waynebrown3536]

at least you had a bag in 73 was just in box

[@ModelMinutes]

i can imagine that was a great way to lose parts

[@jaws666]

Wonder how it compares to the new 1/24 Spitfire in terms of parts fit,detail and plastic quality.

[@harryspeakup8452]

Poorly. It is similar to the old 1970s 1/24 Spitfire Ia, but less accurate. The new Airfix Spitfire IX is on a different planet - as is the 1/24 Trumpeter Hurricane family which first appeared in 2007.

[@jaws666]

@@harryspeakup8452 that bad?

[@ModelMinutes]

the new spitfire blows this one out of the water

[@jaws666]

@@ModelMinutes i would imagine so

[@davidhinkson8856]

Even though it's a reissue of an old kit they could have packaged it better - what obtained in 1973 in terms of packaging really can't work today. But it looks like a good kit that can still hold it's own among newer models.

[@ModelMinutes]

yeah, some better packaging would have been good

[@ninjawithfishontheback]

how is that airfix 1/24 F6F Hellcat coming along?

[@ModelMinutes]

sadly not had time recently

[@ninjawithfishontheback]

@@ModelMinutes oh, good luck on finding time

[@lj7184]

Can you do a dapol oo scale stephensons rocket kit review please.

[@ModelMinutes]

:D

[@sweetcorn1968]

If you’re going to put a motor in it then you’d have to put LED’s in the landing lights and one in the cockpit. Ooh and then flashing LED’s in the exhausts and machine guns.

[@ModelMinutes]

lol, maybe some sounds as well haha

[@WayneWelly]

That was a wheely bad pun lol

[@ModelMinutes]

lol glad you picked up on that!

[@WayneWelly]

@@ModelMinutes i pick up on them as its my humour too lol

[@justinblackwell9743]

My uncle built one of these in 1976 which he eventually gave to me, I swear it had a retractable undercarriage.

[@ModelMinutes]

I think the spitfire can retract the landing gear

[@bobsmodels123]

Not a super bad kit at all, I've seen worse (aka got Lindberg kits in my stash) 60 year old models even hold up! But I think Airfix is charging too much for this "new style kit".

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for watching!

[@PurplEWolFGaminG]

Im not jealous! at all no.. no.. not me! 😉

[@ModelMinutes]

:D

[@RandomPerson-bv3ww]

If you want it to fly and it doesnt have a stand get some fishing line and some tape or a screw

[@ModelMinutes]

nice!

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

I built this years ago ; the top cowling was a terrible fit . To be honest I couldn't think of a solution and gave it to my young nephews at the time ; and it gradually got demolished . Possibly the worst kit I can remember . Better to take your chances with the Trumpeter kit if you want a large scale Hurricane . The newer tool 1/48 Hurricane is a decent kit . size isn't everything .

[@ModelMinutes]

thanks for the info - i'll keep an eye out for that issue

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

I believe this kit has fit issues, and will need work to get it up to scratch. At least they sold it at a more reasonable price of about £50. Unlike the rip off price that Airfix are charging for the 1/24 Harrier and Stuka kits.

[@harryspeakup8452]

The Stuka however is an extremely good kit, far better than this

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

@@harryspeakup8452 The Stuka may be a decent kit. But no way is it worth the £96.99 asking price. That is more than the new 1/24 Spitfire kit. Airfix are ripping off the customer with these joke prices. You are forgetting that this kit is nearly 50 years old. It's not worth the asking price.

[@ModelMinutes]

I'll keep an eye out for fit problems as i build it

[@Danzo1957]

You would have received change from a fiver (£5.00) for this kit in 1973.

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

@@Danzo1957 I had the original 1970's kit. Can't remember what I paid for it. But it would definitely have been more than a Fiver.

[@stevieb6173]

wow you are becoming a grumpy bear these days mate , that looks a great kit , you've been too spoiled !!!!

[@ModelMinutes]

I think it was just all the loose bits in the bag that annoyed me - I am looking forward to doing this one in the future

[@julianmhall]

Ref the tyres. During the war I doubt they would have wasted the scant rubber resources to emboss the name of the manufacturer; they didn't even have tread on the tyres in the war years.

[@harryspeakup8452]

Treadless tyres on pre-war and WW2 types are nothing to do with saving rubber: they are because that's what works best on grass airfields. We didn't have block-tread tyres in widespread service until later in the war when hard runways were becoming more prevalent

[@julianmhall]

@@harryspeakup8452 we didn't have treads /at all/ in the war. Like it or not, after the loss of India / Burma our sole source of raw rubber was gone and we had to conserve the limited supply that was left. Even prior to that we knew our imported supplies had to be conserved.

[@flitsertheo]

This airplane or at least its tyres could have been manufactured before the war as the scene is set in 1940. And the invasion of Burma took place way later, between December 1941 and May 1942.

[@julianmhall]

@@flitsertheo I know when Burma was invaded. That's precisely /why/ I expressly said 'even later in the war' etc.

[@memkiii]

Then you would be wrong in doubting that fact. Check photographic references.

[@PhantomPlayzReal]

Noooooo I could of been first

[@Model_Junkers]

But I was?

[@Model_Junkers]

Also who cares about being first

[@PhantomPlayzReal]

I do

[@ModelMinutes]

Always next time (or by becoming a patron or channel members you get early access 😂)

[@PhantomPlayzReal]

Oh that’s why it was 8 days ago