NEW AND IN VIEW
FROG. (INTERNATIONAL MODEL AIRCRAFT). Hawker Hurricane. Scale l/72nd. Price 2/6d (U.K.)

This is certainly one of the best kits released by this company. Its black mouldings are excellently detailed and free of flash, and require virtually no trimming to ensure a snug fit of the 59 component parts. The bombs are particularly neat, as are the separately moulded bomb racks; alternative rocket armament may also be fitted.

Assembly follows the usual Frog practice with the ailerons, elevators and rudder as individual parts, while the wings are made up of a large underside centre section to which is added the outer wing panels. The only real fault is that the undercarriage wheel covers are slightly too small and the undercarriage oleo legs do not include the inwards facing support struts. These are, however, easily made from stretched sprue, while new wheel covers can be made from plasticard or similar material.

The artwork featured on one side of the box lid depicts a Mk. IIC night fighter as flown by the Czech ace Kuttlewascher of No. 1. Squadron, while the reverse side of the box shows this aircraft in side and plan elevation plus a Sea Hurricane 1A. Parts are included in the kit offering the two variants; the rear lower part of the fuselage incorporates alternative panels with and without the arrester hook fairing. The arrestor hook itself is not included, and this will have to be made from suitably shaped fuse wire - Meccano Magazine for March 1967 shows how this can be done so that the hook can be made to move.

Decals are included for the Mk.IIC and Sea Hurricane, and although the shade of blue in the roundels is far too light the code letters and serials are accurate; the name 'Night Reaper' for the IIC is also included.

As the cannon are moulded separately, the model can be assembled to represent almost any Hurricane variant, though it is necessary to sand off the small canon breech block blisters on the upper surfaces of the wings for any version not fitted with cannon.

The bombs are beautifully moulded and among the most accurate we have seen, and as the bomb racks are moulded as separate components, there is no difficulty in fitting any of the huge variety of underwing stores that the Hurricane carried during its service life.

When making the new wheel covers or adding extra detail, it is essential to use accurate information, and we recommend members to the Kookaburra "Hawker Hurricane" booklet which features excellent l/72nd scale drawings showing the different variants of the Hurricane. F.K. Mason's Hurricane monograph will provide much additional information, and for camouflage and markings we suggest Profiles Nos. 24 (which covers the Hurricane IIC) and 111 which features the Hurricane 1 and Sea Hurricane. It must, however, be pointed out that the drawing of the Hurricane 1 flown "by Stanford Tuck inside the front cover of Profile 111 has omitted the large 'Burma' badge which this aircraft carried below the cockpit on the starboard side of the fuselage.

The IPMS magazine, april 1967

NEW AND IN VIEW NEW AIRCRAFT KITS
FROG.

For some little time now rumour has had it that Frog were revising and updating many of their older kits, and at the Brighton Toy Fair rumour became fact with the release of those described below. Retailing at 3/- each in a new clear plastic pack, complete with coloured dramatic art on the front and the now very popular Profile style drawings on the back of the display card, these will certainly catch the eye in any model shop display.

Each kit has had all traces of the original surface detail removed and replaced by fine and accurate new detail. Unfortunately, costs have prevented full corrections, and such refinements as cut-out wheel wells are still omitted. Cockpit canopies have received attention where necessary and are far better than in the original kits, while completely new markings and insignia are given, two alternatives being provided for each type as follows :-
Hurricane/Sea Hurricane
-1 Sqdn. R.A.F. (F/Lt. Kuttelwascher)
-Sea Hurricane

The very high standard of decals common to all Frog kits of recent months is maintained in these 'packaged' kits. AII are matt or semi-gloss with excellent register, and the minute detailing, such as that on 'kill' markings or the MC 202 insignia, is clearly readable if one uses a magnifying glass.

It is to be hoped that other kits from the Frog range will be upgraded similarly as time goes by, and we look forward to these in due course.

The IPMS magazine, February 1969 VOL.6 No.2

NEW to YOU?
MONTHLY REVIEW OF NEW PRODUCTS CONDUCTED BY BOB JONES OF I.P.M.S

We are still receiving for review new items obviously designed to fall in with the Battle of Britain film and its attendant publicity.

FROG have introduced some of their kits in two-some boxed sets: These being the Spitfire/Ju 88, Blenheim Mk. 1/Bf.109F and Hurricane IIC/Ju 87D, each set retailing at 10/6d.

For the extra value over the combined price of the two kits, one receives a most attractive box, the front of which features an excellent action painting featuring the aeroplanes provided. One is given a plastic picture frame into which this box top illustration is placed and two display stands which also fit on to the frame. The models may then be mounted on these and the whole hung on the wall of one's den or office etc. The frame is a sturdy unit moulded in polystyrene with a faked wooden 'grain' and colouring, which from a distance looks like an expensive picture surround. The kits for the aircraft are, of course, identical to those which one may buy separately. Taking into account the value of the kits plus the very high quality of the decals, together with the frame and stand mounts at 10/6d. this is good value for money and provides a new and unique method of display.

Scale Models No.5 1970 FEBRUARY Vol.1 No.5

Trade notes

"New from KeilKraft... but our main praise goes to KK for the 1/72nd scale Hurricane. A lot of trouble has obviously been taken to get this model deal right, and with wheel wells cast in two-piecce wings (top and bottom halves), stringer mouldings and scope for both a retractable u/c and sliding hood, the Hurricane will be very popular. The propeller moulding for this kit is particularly good, possibly the best representation of a full-size prop we have seen in the whole range of plastics. Purists will want to angle the undercarriage hinge line for correct "down" rake. Next to come in the KK. Plastics range are the Camel, Stuka and Chipmunk. Also out is the brightly covered '58 KeilKraft Catalogue and Handbook, well worth the 1s. 6d."

Aeromodeller, 1958-04

На прилавке

Первая модель из долгожданной серии пластиковых наборов Keilkraft теперь доступна. Это версия знаменитого Hawker Hurricane IIc "The Last of the Many" в масштабе 1/72 включающая множество интересных особенностей, в том числе убирающееся шасси. В отличие от многих пластиковых моделей, "линии" шпангоутов и стрингеров выполнены в точном масштабе, а сборка организована таким образом, чтобы по возможности стыки, которые всегда трудно полностью скрыть, находились в тех местах, где они были бы видны на оригинальном самолете. Отливки, на самом деле, очень "чистые", и набор, который включает в себя приятную, артистичную подставку, полностью комплектен, за исключением красок. При розничной цене 4s. 9d. он более чем выгодно отличается от аналогичных продуктов, а для тех, кто настаивает на подлинности, добавим, что при подготовке этого набора было получено полное содействие Hawker Aircraft.

Model aircraft, апрель 1958 года

MODEL TALK
by Geoffrey Norris
CRYSTAL BALL DEPT.

Watch out, too, for a 1/72nd Sopwith Camel from Keil Kraft. This company, famous for its flying kits, is comparatively new to the plastic field where it is represented only by a Hawker Hurricane. Judging by this kit, the Camel should be a neat and accurate model.

RAF Flying Review March, 1960, Vol. XV, No. 7

NEW AND IN VIEW
NEW AIRCRAFT KITS
AOSIMA (JAPAN). Hawker Hurrican IID. 1/72 scale. Price not quoted.

From a member In Hong Kong we received this the latest addition to the Aosima range of 1/72 scale kits. It is virtually an exact double of the Revell 1/72 scale Hurricane kit, the only differences being the addition of two totally inaccurate and very crude underwing cannon and a rather ghastly decal sheet. Other comment could superflous.

The IPMS magazine, SEPTEMBER 1969 VOL.6 No.9

NEW AND IN VIEW

It is most unfortunate that we have still another unsatisfactory Hurricane model, and Airfix's latest version, a completely new kit, fails badly. First, for some unfathomable reason it is only NOT l/72nd scale being considerably undersize, but it also suffers from incorrect proportions. The wing is too narrow chord for the span, and the fuselage misshapen in nose and cockpit areas, the canopy being much too shallow exaggerates this. This really is a shame as the detail is very good, and if only the model had been right we would at last have had a good Hurri. As it is this one is only for the very unfussy.
A.M.L.K.

The IPMS magazine, AUGUST, 1972. Vol. 9 No. 8

MODEL ENTHUSIAST
More "matchboxes"

Having launched its "Matchbox" series with a flourish by the simultaneous release of 10 kits, Lesney has followed up with another batch of four, all of which are types already available in the same 1/72nd scale, these being the Hurricane IIC, the P-51D Mustang, the Gnat T Mk 1 and the Northrop F-5A.

The Hurricane IIC kit has much to commend it, being nicely moulded and accurate in most respects, although the engraved surface detail is on the coarse side and we are not entirely happy with the cockpit canopy which is a little too shallow and the upper portion of the engine cowling which is a shade too narrow. Small points, perhaps, but they do make a difference to the ultimate realism of a model of so familiar a subject as the Hurricane. On the credit side should be mentioned the cannon, ejector exhausts and wheels, all of which are well detailed. The decals provide the markings of two RAF aircraft — a day fighter of No 3 Sqdn and a night fighter of No 87 Sqdn — of the 1941 period. There was, incidentally, an error on the sheet accompanying our sample kit in that the black serial numbers have been given white backgrounds, but we understand from Lesney that this is being corrected.

Air Enthusiast 1974-02 vol.06 no.02

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc. 1/72nd scale. Price 80p. Distributed by Hestair Ltd.

WELL, they almost did it. Produce the definitive 1/72nd scale Hawker Hurricane, that is ... Heller's latest World War Two aircraft release provides the enthusiast with one of the most accurate of small scale Hurricanes yet; one which could have been the kit we've all been waiting for but, the usual "stumbling block" areas of this elusive air-frame have failed to be captured yet again. In planform the taper of nose and tail areas begin much further into the fuselage than they should. The "nipped in" nose shape of the aircraft has not been rendered too well although it is better than most. At least the exhaust pipes are parallel to the centre line which does aid appearances considerably. The oil collector ring behind the spinner is represented rather too heavily and one is advised to remove this and replace with a section of curved stretched sprue.

In side elevation the picture begins to look brighter, the top of the fuselage behind the canopy is a straight line (plywood covered on the real aircraft), Heller have given it a convex shape, which happily is. thick enough to be filed flat to achieve the correct appearance. The rear of the cockpit "headrest" area extends too far forward and at least ³⁄₁₆ in. should be removed and the resulting gap covered with 10 thou plastic sheet.

The shape of the fin and rudder is fair, although the trailing edge of the latter needs to be straighter not curved, and the depth of the fuselage appears to be about right overall. Panel detail is finely executed and the fabric covered stringer effect on the rear fuselage is really commendable, quite some of the best representations we've seen on any Hurricane kit. All flying surfaces are integrally moulded, but can be carefully sawn off and recemented at a desired angle. The flaps too are sufficiently well engraved to tempt the enthusiast to separate these and give the model even greater interest.

The wing is well moulded (apart from the rather clumsy Hispano cannons) and carries very sharp trailing edges and a fully walled wheel well - at last! Other plus points include the "cheese cutter" undercarriage doors, realistically "spoked" wheels, and a brave attempt at the complex undercarriage units complete with retraction jacks. Wing leading lamp cover is supplied as a transparency.

Other points worthy to note are several cockpit interior parts including a nicely moulded seat and floor, instrument panel and control column. Naturally, extra detail can be applied in this area especially as it will be visible under the well moulded two piece canopy, a rear view mirror for this is supplied too.

No underwing stores are provided, these can* be taken from the spares box or other kits by Frog and Airfix. Heller ca/? claim a "first" by including a tropical filter assembly which does fit extremely well to the nose contours, with little need for filler.

Dimensionally the Hurricane checks out extremely well when comparison is made with scale rules and quoted full size dimensions. The only real discrepancy lies in the chord of the main plane which is slightly too great. This error occurs throughout the span of the wing but is not that sufficient to spoil the overall appearance of the model. The kit assembles easily and serious filling will only be required for the wing root fillets.

Decals are imaginative, but are spoilt by being highly glossy and rendering the tones of the blue and red far too brightly - thank goodness for Modeldecal! Someone at Heller must have had a change of heart for although the box "art" depicts the "Night Reaper", thankfully the decals do not. Instead two unusual choices are offered, a camouflaged aircraft of No. 1 Squadron, Indian Air Force and an overall "Nightb painted machine of 253 Squadron - yes, exhaust damping plates are supplied in the kit.

Despite the many good points of this kit, the definitive Hurricane in 1/72nd scale has yet to make its appearance, a strange state of affairs when one considers that many examples of the real aircraft can be inspected. Nevertheless, Heller's kit is one of the closest yet and offers great scope for modification and conversion.
R.L.R.

Scale Models Vol 9 No 100 JANUARY 1978