1/48 Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 - Extended Build

In this video I build Airfix's 1/48 Hawker Hurricane in the markings of 242 SQN of the "All Canadian Squadron" during the Battle of Britain. The 1/48 Airfix Battle of Britain Hurri kit is out of production but the Tropical Hurricane and Sea Hurricane all contain the same parts to build any of the three variants.

[@TheModelGuy]

Wow over 100,000 views! I did not expect this when I launched this channel. A huge thanks to all of you :)

[@normansmith8184]

Always was a Hurricane man "the forgotten fighter". You brought this one to life beautifully, congratulations sir.

[@buzzthebiker3294]

Absolutely and in all honesty the Hurricane had more success in the war than the Spitfire which seems to get all the glory. But then we must never forget how much these young men gave in the air, on the ground and at sea. It was such sacrifice that allows us to enjoy the freedom we take to much for granted today. For this I am internally grateful to them all. May they all rest in peace forever more.

[@davidcarr4991]

Just wanted to say that I, for one, have never considered the Hurricane to be an underdog. In my view, I am glad we had both the Spitfire and the Hurricane as I feel there was a natural "division of labour", where the Hurricane was more suited to tackling the bombers, while the Spitfire was more of a match for the fighters. That's not to say that either couldn't do the other role... My father was a rear-gunner in Lancasters in the late stages of the war. He once told of how, when they would go up for aerial gunnery practice with RAF fighters playing the enemy, he had less trouble tracking the Spitfires but found it almost impossible to stay on the Hurricanes. The source of the Hurricane's agility was also the limiting factor as far as speed was concerned - the thick wing chord. Lots of lift, but also lots of drag. The Spitfire's wing chord, while not quite laminar, was a lot thinner.

[@kevinfoster926]

This has to be my favourite history channel, a bloke called the Model guy gives a history about an aircraft and at the same time some random bloke builds a model of that aircraft.............amazing! Seriously you build amazing models.

[@rodgercox2770]

but the music is TOO loud and you can`t hear the bloke talking because of it, still you Americans love your music instead of telling us what you are doing

[@averagecanadianguy1966]

@@rodgercox2770 the model guy is canadian : /

[@gordonwallin2368]

Good commentary -and Canadian too. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada

[@gordonwallin2368]

And good music as well.

[@barrywonderdog]

Really nice build. Just one note - the fuselage roundels should be in alignment, if viewed from above. Their frontmost tip should be set slightly back from the antenna mast. The squadron and aircraft ID letters should be built around the roundel, not the other way round. Basically, the aircraft serial number and roundel remained constant through an aircraft's life, but if that aircraft was moved to another squadron, the three letter ID code could be painted over and repainted quickly and easily. But really, really good build. Well done!

[@g.b.8445]

I agree with the others about the music but it won't stop me saying one of your best videos yet. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

[@williamvasilakis9619]

Such masterful work. It was a joy to watch you. Thanks much!

[@derrydogsdirtbikeriders4266]

2nd video of your I've watched, thoroughly enjoyed watching your build craft and excellent commentary on the planes' history - well done

[@danielblythe5337]

Great video, great build. I always liked the looks of the Hawker Hurricane. What a beautiful paint scheme too!

[@leer404]

Great build video. Excellent model. As a novice, it's great to see how you went about adding the rivet details. I only hope my attempts look that good! Well done!

[@alienfrogmodeller5875]

Congrats on the 100K mark, well done video! Loving the Cdn content!

[@ikezutabunkyowa4628]

Mesmerizing build videos with excellent commentary.

[@zoozu2067]

Thanks, enjoyed the build and watching your techniques. About to attempt this kit myself.

[@kairaspdaruwala710]

Awesome modelling, just great.

[@garyhiggins6718]

BTW, thanks for posting, I really enjoy your in depth reviews! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@joshm65]

Absolutely amazing build mate well done 👍

[@tomcarrington1086]

Excellent video and tutorial, thanks. Lots of tips I can use

[@janferino158]

Intersting basing technique of painting. Different from the common "black basing" seen in many videos. Also interesting the painting around the panel lines, to create a sort of pre shadow using the darker case color. Bravo

[@cavdave9812]

Well done. I liked your video and the format you used. I would watch more.

[@marianmm7034]

...very good work! beautiful Hurricane!

[@Duececoupe]

Love the new Airfix kits, such a massive improvement from when I grew up in the 70's, a couple of Battle of Britain Hurricane and Spitfire's is a must! Another thing on my to do list are two Lockheed PV-1 Venturas, which are forever linked to each other....the first one went missing on a flight to Kiska Harbor and the second one, is the Ventura that was sent out to look for the first one, but in doing so....it also went missing....on the same day! Love the finished Hurricane! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻

[@akaus1000]

Great video and build. Subscribed and looking forward to the next one. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheModelGuy]

Thanks!

[@digsbyjames7726]

Enjoyed that very much. I have the Airfix Sea Hurricane Mk. 1B in my stash awaiting it's turn. The Douglas Bader story impacted me early in my childhood. Incredible story. I too love under dog stories and over looked aircraft, tanks, ships, cars even for that matter.... the Hurricane sure stepped up way above it's weight class. Thanks for your efforts, again...educational and entertaining, while definitively inspirational.

[@DeanPark]

Another amazing build....great stuff. Dave

[@stevenwinnen9104]

Besides the famed Spit. I love the Hurricane. Enjoyed the video.

[@StephenFarthing]

I really enjoyed this. I’m thinking about starting the hobby and you have helped me a lot.

[@TheModelGuy]

It's a great hobby to get into. You'll definitely meet some interesting people but it's great having something you can have on the shelf after

[@adamcole535]

Love it ,+ the history lesson as well hopefully I’ll get to that standard one day 👌🏻brilliant

[@hubristicmystic]

You do have the best intro "music", from the 27 litre V12 orchestra

[@Duececoupe]

Stumbled across, watched, liked and subscribed! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻😎

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

Glad I found this; I just rec'd my Airfix Hurry Mk.I after not building for (ahem!)many years, and I just HAD to watch. I had glanced through the instructions and so, even though I haven't opened the package yet, I recognized the parts and so I could follow the build easily and note the extra details you added. I agree, the fabric texture on the aft fuselage is fantastic. I really like how you add little spots of historiy or details now and then; I think modelers who make videos of military vehicles should do that; it's important to mention the history of whatever they're making(just a little).Thanks for posting this.

[@TheModelGuy]

I'm glad you enjoyed the vid! I plan on revisiting this kit again since the Hurri has a special place in my heart. It's one of the better Airfix kits and if you put some effort into the wing root join you get a nice model.

[@gsr4535]

I'm with you friend, I've always liked the "less successful" aircraft like the Hurricane and P-40 and P-39, although in reality, the Hurricane and the P-40 were hardly unsuccessful. They both gave great and long service.

[@DarkLord-we2uw]

GSR In WWII - Battle of Britain - most people focus on the spitfire and its glory. But really, the hurricane did a lot more in shooting down germans. People think the hurricane was like a plane that helped England but only help the parts that the spitfire couldn’t do, which it could do a lot.i think the spitfire takes most of the hurricanes glory, the hurricane was a successful aircraft but no one ever took a blind bit of notice.

[@Jimboy1611]

GSR - I’d say ‘underrated’. The P-40 and Hurricane will never have the glamour of the P-51 or Spitfire, but they’re all wonderful planes.

[@robertmarsh3588]

Awesome video. Great plane too. Loved the music btw!

[@ronaldbyrne3320]

👍🏻 for the Hurricane and another 👍🏻 for your model.

[@c8136132]

Loving your builds! I’m a jet man myself and long time modeller but your videos are great 👍🏻

[@TheModelGuy]

Several jets in the pipeline, thinking an F/A-18E is up after my current buuld

[@buzzthebiker3294]

WOW an absolutely super build from an everyday mass production plastic kit !! The improvements have made really make this Spitfire stand out with the amazing details that you have added. You have certainly done your research well of the history of this aircrafts active life with the RAF and the young pilots that flew them. Well done indeed.

[@TheModelGuy]

Thanks Buzz. Make sure you check out the newer videos,. This one is only on here as a benchmark to check my development :)

[@fotomakr]

Doing my first foray into PE with a 1/72 Eduard Hellcat Mk1. Liked your tips - although you did make that flap bending/assembly look frightfully easy. Continue to enjoy watching your builds, history and music - although the music was winning over your voice a few times.

[@paulgerald5808]

Very impressive . Looks like she is ready for duty . RAF Hendon ,1940 . Thank you .

[@robertblake2765]

Awesome build, I have built models for years but thanks to youtube never had the access to the techniques used to make them so realistic ,thanks

[@TheModelGuy]

It's an awesome resource! Guys like Night Shift, Plasmo, Scale Model Work Shop, Scale Hangar 182 and Scale-A-Ton are just a few of the guys I follow for tips and tricks. My next video will feature quite a few what not to do tips.

[@robertblake2765]

@@TheModelGuy What do you use for installing decals I bought a model master decal set and I'm not happy with the results I can't get micro set and micro sol right now all the stores are closed due to Covid19

[@TheModelGuy]

@@robertblake2765 I use micro sol and micro set. Then once the decals have dried I do two coats of clear and sand it down over the decals to get rid of the step.

[@lesthiele4921]

Great video and build, yest the music was a little loud but almost appropriate for the era of your build, again many thanks for sharing.

[@daveyuk2212]

I enjoyed your build great little build, subbed as well

[@lesthiele4921]

Excellent build sir, it's one kit I have not built yet, as others have said music was a bit loud but I could hear you fine, keep safe and well in these troubled times.

[@motorTranz]

Beautiful job 👍

[@davidhill5684]

The Hurricane is terrific, great treatment. The biggest kit plane I ever made as a young lad. I would do a better job now, of course we didn't have Internet tutorials to guide us in them days..

[@tornagawn]

As a teenager in the late 70’’s I had planned to make 1/72 models of the key planes of the Battle of Britain. Sad to say ‘other things’ drew my attention, but I did make a reasonable mk 1a Spitfire. Masking tape and silver paint for the pilots harness. Nice job, thanks. Edit: awesome!

[@themetropolitanline480]

Really enjoyed this and a new subscriber.

[@chilarai1]

In my stash. One of these Hurricanes (the real thing) was found hiding in plain sight in India recently. Luckily, the IAF quickly took it over for restoration. Other such planes found in India have mysteriously "disappeared" and "reappeared" in the UK/USA, including a Battle of Britain BF-109E. The latter was gifted to a local maharajah by an RAF squadron as a gate guardian but it was taken down years later and dumped in a backyard. It is now flight worthy.

[@TheModelGuy]

That’s awesome! I love the story and it’s amazing these things are still found and restored. The Hurricane is one of my favourites, so rugged looking. This kit deserves another visit, so maybe we’ll see a “re-dux”

[@DanielHinojosa]

Great video. Not going to offer any critiques because you'll figure it out and I know how discouraging critiques can be right out of the gate. Judging though by how great this first video is the rest will be amazing. Good luck on your journey. Congratulations. Subscribed.

[@TheModelGuy]

Thanks Daniel! Check out the F-35 and Corsairs as well

[@garyhiggins6718]

How dare you say that she wasn't beautiful? She was a stunner and it was her that saved our bacon! As good as her more glamorous sister and she gave her all.

[@darrellid]

Naww, the Hurricane is a bit of a Plain Jane, if I'm honest. It seemed to take a while for Sydney Camm to figure out aerodynamics. Even the Typhoons had some awkward lines. At least his work was better than anything Fairey produced.

[@paulknipe3246]

Great video build!

[@danielbritton8588]

At one time a couple of years ago, a 1/48 scale Hurricane was hard to find. I finally went with a low detail Pegasus issue of a snap together. I did it up in German captured that they toured around with during the war along with many other Allied captured aircraft. Your detail looks hard. Nice kit though & nice job. I hope you had a good time during the build. Thanks for videoing it. I get depressed with future detailed kits. Wicked meticulous. I still try though.

[@thomasyoest6557]

Very nice build. Like the bits of history. Photo's show hundreds of levels of wear and tear. That's why some modellers build from a specific picture; to dismiss the nitpickers. Nuts.

[@jontaylor1587]

Personally I enjoyed the music and the video! Interesting to know the you understood the different characteristics of the hurricane compared to the spitfire! The hurricane was considered the workhorse of the R.A.F COOLER!!

[@cuffybert51]

Lovely build. Panel lines etc. are very subtle.Not too sure about the staining around the guns and ejector ports, just a bit too heavy for my taste. I also think that any ground crew applying the red tape over the gun barrels at odd angles would probably end up on a charge. I won't mention the music (that's been addressed) learnt a lot of useful techniques.

[@humbertoborem825]

Very nice building and final result. The music selection too. Congratulations!

[@michaeltruhett4170]

You truly are a gifted modeler. I’m lucky to build what comes in the box without throwing it away. Now, I know I’ll probably get flamed for this, but the powder stains on the wings are terrific, but from pictures I’ve seen, where the shell casings come out of the bottom of the wing don’t have any or very little black streaks. The powder has been burnt and expended from the end of the gun barrels. Empty shell casings won’t leave those types of streaks. Please understand, I am NOT being critical of how your model turned out and I’d give anything to have your skills. As for the streaks, I’m just going on pictures that I’ve seen and what I know personally from firearms. I worked with the gunners mates when I was in the Coast Guard and I’m also a gunsmith. Now, if I’m wrong in what I said about the streaks where the shell casings are expended, please accept my apologies? Thank you for sharing a great video of your build and your model. God speed

[@TheModelGuy]

No worries, I appreciate critique when it's not in a negative manner. I have gone a bit too far with it, but I'll reference this photo: images.app.goo.gl/SP3cgN9orZvN52KA8

[@daseladi]

Nice video. I liked the music, too.

[@paulmcwilliams1709]

I always liked the Hurricane. I think I'd like to build one of these.

[@agdgdgwngo]

Just the video I needed. I have 2 of this kit, one BOB one, one trop. Gonna go all out on the the trop, built the other one wheels up with a pilot. And I have "Gun button to fire" will have to give it a read. I can recommend "hurricane at war" by chaz bowyer too

[@JJ01474]

I've liked this video as I like your results and subscribed as I'd like to see how your videos improve. Other than the sound levels between your narrative and the music, I'd like to have seen more about your use of the photo etched parts. That'd have made your video different from others I've seen. And, because I've got the same kit and keep putting off building it, I'd like to have seen you do the tropical paint scheme. Keep on creating and I look forward to your future builds.

[@TheModelGuy]

Thanks for your feedback! I'm about to start a group build and will be building both the Tamiya P-51D and Airfix Spitfire XIX PR. Both have a bit of photoetch so I'll be sure to focus on that a bit more in the video. I was planning on a video at the end of the month, but my two last Kinetic kits have turned into disasters.

[@metocvideo]

So much of interest in this video. The Hurricane, as you say was built of tubes and covered on fabric. They could take a lot of machine gun hits because a lot of the bullets just came in one side and out the other without hitting anything, just making two small holes. Cannons, not so much.

[@hankrol7830]

Very sefull build. I like the Vallejo paint no. in the video.

[@michaelglennon6056]

Good stuff

[@NazidKimmie]

That's some impressive details for the cockpit tub and wing assembly for Airfix - those panel lines tho....

[@garyhiggins6718]

I have to say I absolutely adore your choice of music for this video!👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Can I make a suggestion, if you use a paynes grey for black, then it still leaves you room for shading the black areas!

[@grantmiller6570]

Nice build, the Hurricane is my favourite WW2 aircraft, I prefer it over the Spitfire, just like that strong, chunky sort of look it has. and the wide landing gear track.

[@yorwerthedwards1045]

Awesome 😊 love it

[@garyhiggins6718]

Regarding your build video, it was great, very informative, enjoyable, and from my point of view you used JUST the right music! Thanks! PS other fitting music you could use is, all by Sir William Walton; Battle of Britain Suite, Spitfire Prelude and Fugue, Battle in the Air. And of course any of the other movements from Holst's Planet Suite!

[@kc9602]

"The Great Escape" Theme??? Should've been "The Battle of Britain" Theme, surely! Marvellous aircraft, nonetheless. Had you fly over my house last week. Perk of residing in Bomber County 😊

[@anthonycollingridge970]

Nice build. The other reasons why the armourers used to dope & linen cloth the gun ports was to quickly identify those aircraft that needed re arming on return, versus those that did not fire their guns at all (more common than you first expect). Individual guns that failed to fire & to protect from frost & freezing during rapid climb to altitude.

[@cyprusgrump]

Awesome!

[@DavidRamirez-ww5kv]

Great build. One of my favorite subject The Battle of Britain. I need to build my 1/48 scale kit. A tad bit too much weathering in my opinion, but very nice.

[@yereverluvinuncleber]

BTW - it is pronounced Douglas Barder, not like Darth Vader... He fought near here and was based at Tangmere just around the corner. Our 'house' is named after him at school, Bader House, that's Barder!

[@mbabist01]

BoB Hurricane back in production, NICE!

[@TheModelGuy]

I have a Trop one I am building now, but I'll definitely have to look at another BoB one. And a Sea Hurri.... lol

[@MrAlumni72]

Bader was also popular - possibly even legendary - with the German pilots, who would come to visit him. The diminutive size of any country's air force pre-war meant that most pilots in europe knew who Bader was and hoe he had overcome the loss of both legs, so he was within the realm of combat pilots quite the celebrity. Not sure if it was the pilot who actually shot him down, but he had lost one of his artificial legs when bailing out, so a German pilot flew over his home base and dropped a note asking them to send another leg so Bader could walk about. The RAF complied and the delivery plane performed the drop unmolested. But when Bader kept trying to escape, the Germans eventually confiscated his legs so he couldn't get very far any more. There's a very good biography of him written during his lifetime - Reach For the Sky, by Paul Brickhill.

[@johnprice7303]

Superlative!

[@LuisPerez-rh8dr]

I enjoyed this the spitfire is my favorite and also the bf 109 and loved the video

[@garyhiggins6718]

From the middle of next month(April), a fantastic book by one of the great participants in the Battle of Britain, Peter Townsend, will be coming out on kindle, priced at £2.99. The book is DUEL of EAGLES and it is a truly great read. It was Townsend who first came up with the phrase Spitfire Snobbery! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Observo68]

Very nice video. A couple of comments though: The airflow ( from the aerodynamics) would guide 95% of the gunsmoke OVER the wing. The dirt from the brass openings are however correct. I have never seen any photos of gunports where each port were sealed like this. My impression is they ground crew used one large patch to cover all 4 ports. But I might be corrected on that. :)

[@metocvideo]

My uncle flew a mk1 from Tangmere in the Battle of Britain 1940. He was in 601 squadron ‘County of London’. He was shot down and killed over Tunbridge Wells and his Hurricane crashed in flames on a Vicar’s greenhouse. The Hurricanes, being slower, usually tackled the bombers while the Spitfires tried to keep the Focke Wolf and 109s off them.

[@MrBMBuilder]

I did like it and the info given

[@lauriepocock3066]

really good workmanship, one criticism its too dark. I once watched a model maker make a model of a type writer, he took the paint used to paint the real machine and added white, I asked what he was doing and he answered ' I'm scaling the paint' Some time later I understood what he meant. I brought a mid blue Ford Capri and decided to paint corgi model for my daughter. Go a can of touch up paint, but after I sprayed it, it looked black, but put it against the car and the colour was an exact match.

[@oceanvibesphotography8395]

Awesome pure awesome 😁 new subscriber

[@TheModelGuy]

Thanks! This build took place at the same time as my F-35, hence back-to-back releases.

[@matthewnightingale4585]

Good build; well done. Need to yellow prop tips just to finish up.

[@TheModelGuy]

Not all of them had the yellow tips in 1940. I found photos showing both, so I chose to go without to match the RCAF Hurris

[@matthewnightingale4585]

​@@TheModelGuy I didn't know that; good call.

[@stappan1752]

Beautiful job as always I love watching your builds your a true craftsman I live in Florida and have a real hard time finding any aftermarket items to add to my models do you have any suggestions thank you Scott Tappan

[@TheModelGuy]

I usually head over to the Spruebrothers website. They're very fast and have sales every Friday

[@einefreunde]

Stunning work. What typeface did the RAF use for the Squadron codes? Thank you

[@TheModelGuy]

I found a typeface called RAF WWII. There was also some post war fonts in the file as well.

[@eviltoast2981]

Stumbled across your latest video today, browsed and watched a few videos and subbed! Very informative, already picked up some tips for my brand new Dremel lurking in my work desk! One question, what is that tool you use @17:30 after you rescribed the engine cowl?

[@rifledude303]

Nice Hurri! One tip I'd suggest from my own experience would be to use Mr Color's 'Super Clear III' diluted with Levelling Thinner rather than Tamiya X-22 as it dries thinner and more uniform. Also, whilst the chipping on the airframe's metal areas looks really good here, RAF prop blades during the war were made of wood composite material so didn't chip like metal blades. :-)

[@TheModelGuy]

During the course of the war, the Hurricane used a variety of five different props. This one has the dehavilland propeller which had metal blades. Thanks for the tip on the clear coat. Since this video I've picked up Mr Color Levelling thinner which made a huge difference

[@rifledude303]

@@TheModelGuy Ah! Fair enough, my bad on the prop then! :-)

[@TheModelGuy]

@@rifledude303 no worries! I am open to being challenged on the information I provide on this channel. I am going to make mistakes, but I try to reference books and verified sites. But no one's perfect. :)

[@martinfojtasek5461]

2:36 Yea I had problem with that when i was building mine. Had to sand away alot of material and it still didnt fit properly. I wasted time trying to figure out how to do it so it wouldnt be ugly. Thats for anyone who would want to build this model, take some time to make it right.

[@TheModelGuy]

The new Airfix molds are a great improvement, but I feel that when companies try to make an aircraft posable a few different ways it can create issues downstream. Kinetic has done the same thing with their models and my E-2C wings did not want to align in the spread position.

[@nickssurplus]

Sheer perfection.

[@greglaw4451]

Excellent build. The only issue I see is the exhaust needs to be painted more realistically. It wouldn't be bare metal like that. Needs to be a bit heat treated and have some exhaust blackening added.

[@Snoozie09]

this guy is a UNIT 🛩️

[@TheGuitarmanrh]

Wow, great modeling skills!! Can I ask where you got the riveting tool from?

[@TheModelGuy]

I ordered it from here: umm-usa.com/onlinestore/index.php?cPath=21_22 I use the 0.75mm for 1/48 scale

[@MVeminor7]

Hi, You provide a very clear and concise build and commentary. Its very informative in many ways. A delight to watch and a joy to build. Thanks for some insight, Happy New Year (2021)

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

Lovely modelling . Just to mention your comments about the Big Wing . Stephen Bungay the writer probably the best researched Battle of Britain ; goes into much detail about the Big Wing and really concludes that Parks method of engaging in squadron strength was far better . ! it took too long to assemble so many planes in the short time it took the Germans to arrive . Bader claimed far more kills for this method than really occurred even by the standards of the time . Mainly because so many planes engaging caused many pilots to attack the same German . I suppose seeing so many planes on September 15th certainly had a bad effect on German morale . Of course Park later went to Malta and proved how good he was . Mallory was promoted up and made bad job before DDay grossly exaggerating potential losses.

[@RaduB.]

Hello! I was amazed by the high percentage of thinner that you used with the Air colors from Vallejo... May I ask you what thinner did you use?

[@TheModelGuy]

I used Vallejo's own brand of thinner.

[@michaeldicostanzo3652]

Can you release a video on the tropical version of this aircraft, that you showcased in the Kittyhawk video? It looked amazing!

[@petercavellini3232]

Music is more military that Airforce, it’s not bad as background music,and it’s not that loud!👀👀👀👀

[@lewistaylor1965]

What is the music at 20.56 (starts)?...Sounds very Sousa...Thanks for the vid...Really informative...From the UK

[@kennynaismith3519]

Found this by accident, now subscribed. Excellent work Sir! {just get the balance between voice over and music sorted, and it will be perfect!}

[@TheModelGuy]

The newer videos don't have music :) Thanks for subbing