A slip wing Hawker Hurricane in 1/72 Scale
Not to be mistaken as a Biplane?
I follow a "Vintage" page via social media and this aircraft got a mention, I like the unusual and decided to have a go. A nice article for research was found HERE.
I follow a "Vintage" page via social media and this aircraft got a mention, I like the unusual and decided to have a go. A nice article for research was found HERE.
The image above, credit to the same site as the link.
Disappointingly, although the article discusses slip wings, they title the cover as a biplane. I might be wrong but this aircraft wasn't designed to fly with the second wing only take off with it, it isn't a biplane. Since starting my build I have found a few other modelers have attempted the same and I hoped I could produce a similar level of quality (I wish I had found Airfix kits at the right price for the fabric wing.....read on)
Disappointingly, although the article discusses slip wings, they title the cover as a biplane. I might be wrong but this aircraft wasn't designed to fly with the second wing only take off with it, it isn't a biplane. Since starting my build I have found a few other modelers have attempted the same and I hoped I could produce a similar level of quality (I wish I had found Airfix kits at the right price for the fabric wing.....read on)
The Revell 1/72 Mk1 Hurricane - Initial Build
Two kits were purchased from an eBay seller. Very low cost, a test build with me wondering if I could have a go at this in 1/48 later.
Not quite the correct kit for the build (I really need a Mk1 with fabric wings).
Build started as expected. Not much fits together very well, lots of flash to file with seams and sink marks to fill but it is an easy kit with few parts.
The pilot is but a blob.
The details are pretty good but the panel lines (recessed) are a little heavy.
Not quite the correct kit for the build (I really need a Mk1 with fabric wings).
Build started as expected. Not much fits together very well, lots of flash to file with seams and sink marks to fill but it is an easy kit with few parts.
The pilot is but a blob.
The details are pretty good but the panel lines (recessed) are a little heavy.
The kit HERE on Scalemates has some history.
This kit is a 1992 box, the 19th version of this model doesn't feel so old yet, writing this in 2020. Revell retooled in 1998, this kit the last version from an old tool.
The original kit and new tool dates back to 1962. That is old. With this knowledge, the kit is quite impressive but there is still a lot of work to do (a club member suggested "an opportunity to practice and hone your skill", how we laughed!
This kit is a 1992 box, the 19th version of this model doesn't feel so old yet, writing this in 2020. Revell retooled in 1998, this kit the last version from an old tool.
The original kit and new tool dates back to 1962. That is old. With this knowledge, the kit is quite impressive but there is still a lot of work to do (a club member suggested "an opportunity to practice and hone your skill", how we laughed!
The Slip Wing - Knife and Fork Job
The second kit opened for the wing. This looked doable; the upper wing could be cut at the start of the wing root and the wing looked like it could be filled with styrene sheet, filler and putty. It was done. The lower wing hand the air intake removed and the bays filled in the same manner.
Feeling just very slightly disappointed. This needed to be a fabric wing..................................................... next time?
The wing felt fairly strong, it cleaned up ok but the underside is around the wheel bays is warped and not flat, a pain to smooth off whilst trying in vain to maintain the features and details.
The wing felt fairly strong, it cleaned up ok but the underside is around the wheel bays is warped and not flat, a pain to smooth off whilst trying in vain to maintain the features and details.
Some Paint
I decided on "B" pattern cammo. Not sure this was the correct choice for this model in hindsight, not sure I even achieved B pattern anyway.
Pre-shaded black over grey primer. The brown over the top of that looked good (I think). The panels were lightened (grey primer) over the top of brown after masking and the edge of the masking shaded (black primer) before over painting with the green. The colours were just mixed with what I had to hand, the paint by Vallejo.
Constructive note to self, the green a bit heavy, the pre-shading lost a little. The green is also a bit dark, just spend the money and get the correct colours.
Constructive note to self, the green a bit heavy, the pre-shading lost a little. The green is also a bit dark, just spend the money and get the correct colours.
Some More Paint
I was getting fairly happy with the paint on the model. The brown was good (I am quite new to modelling like this, and have started to produce small scale model to practice with an airbrush), the green a bit heavy but quite good tone variation in it. I am not 100% happy with the filling of the slip wing, that is much more visible with colour especially at the join / edges to the original model.
Almost disaster.....
Humbrol Matt Clear.
A brand new bottle, I gave it a good shake, the ambient temperature was good to go. I suspect the airbrush pressure was to high but I did get a wet coating and it dried like this. Should have done a test!
A brand new bottle, I gave it a good shake, the ambient temperature was good to go. I suspect the airbrush pressure was to high but I did get a wet coating and it dried like this. Should have done a test!
A wipe with a micro polishing cloth with soap / water got most of it off, it was like a dust on the that tended to roll off. The panel lines wiped with solvent on a cotton bud / q-tip helped with that aspect (I read online, an oil wash helped and so used the solvent). I gave the model an oil wash, it looked good again but the white frost did come back in small areas over night.
Adding The Slip Wing
Firstly, the lighting is rubbish for these photos. The first two pictures are ok, taken in natural daylight, the other six taken under the incandescent lighting.
I used 1.6mm brass rod to make the structure, drilling the holes was fun. I think I could have gone down to 1mm at this scale, the 1.6mm looks heavy but not to far out. I will save the rod for the 1/48 version (yes, I am committed).
I used 1.6mm brass rod to make the structure, drilling the holes was fun. I think I could have gone down to 1mm at this scale, the 1.6mm looks heavy but not to far out. I will save the rod for the 1/48 version (yes, I am committed).
Weathering with Dot Filter
I thought I would have a go at this technique for the first time. The logic to my colour choice, the orange would give a fade to the brown and the blue / yellow tonal variation for the green. Some white added last to give more fade.
WIP - Come Back Later - Thanks
Omega Models FH40 Slip Wing Model Kit
Since starting my build using two Revell Kits I came across this nice looking model. I believe it is resin, it looks good but I am not sure the fabric wings look fabric enough for me to buy one. The two Revell kits worked out low cost than this kit as well. See it HERE
