Airfix: Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 in 1:48

The Hawker Hurricane is a British single-engine monoplane fighter with a metal structure covered partly with fabric from the Second World War era. Serving on all fronts during WWII, the Hurricane earned a reputation as one of the most effective and ubiquitous aircraft of its time, both as a fighter and as an attacker. Its most significant contribution was its role in the British victory during the Battle of Britain in 1940.

The aircraft, designed by Sydney Camm at the request of the Ministry of Defence, was intended to become the mainstay of the British air fleet. The first prototype, powered by a Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk.II engine, flew on 6 November 1935, piloted by Georg Bulman. Testing was excellent, and a first order of 600 aircraft was quickly placed. The first Hurricane entered service with the 111th RAF Squadron in December 1937.

By the outbreak of war with Nazi Germany on 3 September 1939, the RAF had 19 Hurricane squadrons ready for combat, initially operating in France and Norway. During the war, several variants of this highly successful aircraft were produced.

The first production version was the Mk.I, powered by a Merlin III engine. From 1940, the Mk.II versions, equipped with the Merlin XX engine (1280 HP), began entering service, primarily performing ground-attack and combat missions. The best variant was the Hurricane Mk.IID, used in the North African campaign in 1942. The Mk.IV, with a Merlin 24/27 engine (1620 HP), was equipped for ground attack, carrying bombs, unguided rockets, and Vickers S cannons until 1944.

A naval version, the Sea Hurricane, also served on aircraft carriers and specially converted merchant ships (Sea Hurricane Mk.IA).

Technical specifications (Mk.IIC):

• Length: 9.84 m

• Wingspan: 12.19 m

• Height: 4 m

• Maximum speed: 547 km/h

• Rate of climb: 14.1 m/s

• Maximum range: 965 km

• Service ceiling: 10,970 m

• Armament: Fixed – 4 × Hispano Mk.II 20mm cannons; suspended – bombs up to 460 kg