G'day,

This very old Airfix kit was 1 of 4 in 24 scale that I was given a couple of years ago, by a client who hoped I would one day build them, {the other 3 are an Airfix 109, MPC Fw 190 and a Dyosho A6M5c Zero} so deciding on the Hurricane I {incidently is in either Ian Gleed or Peter Townsend both Battle of Britian pilots}, as a starter I should have left it in the box, because this beast was in some way twisted in the fuselage engine compartment frame work by almost 1 1/2 inch.

After deciding to finish what I started, I intend to add a little extra realism to the cockpit framework, the carby inlet, wheel well and radiator. With mounting the completed frame work to the fuselage half and with some CA glue the outward ark was soom transformed back into the right alignment to join the fuselage halves together.

I also had the idea of applying a BM Finish to the metal and the 'doped' fabric prior to painting the Dark Earth / Dark Green over Sky, the pix below show basicly what I have done in addition work to this monster, all the cockpit kit parts had been painted in the Grey/Green primmer prior to the addition bits being added.

The pix:




The additional cockpit detail.





Cockpit framework, bulkheads, engine mounting frame with additional framework.


Aluminium mesh added to inlet .


Radiator core made from Aluminium mesh.




The Alclad II 'Airframe Silver' for the metal section and the 'Doped' Fabric Covering of the subject.

Note:- Humbrol Gloss Black was used as a primmer for the Alclad II finish.

Rob.

Hi Rob!
That is looking spectacular.
Not knowing the kit,how much of the cockpit is scratchbuilt add ons?
Also,did you take any pictures of the engine?
Ive got the Spitfire in that scale and Im starting to do research into the engine detail.
What colour did you use for the doped fabric?
How did you get on with the Airfix rubber tyres?
I shall be following this build with great interest.
Thanks for sharing and looking forward to seeing more pics.
Nige

Nice one Rob!

The metal and primer undercoating craze is catching!

The additions to the cockpit look superb - and all I'd suggest for the exterior is to Red Oxide dope the ailerons and do some Alclad for the tail fillet. It's all looking superb - almost a shame to camouflage it!

All the best

Rowan

Hi Rob!

Looks great! Just great!
Once it is finished, maybe you could put a 1/48 scale Hurricane beside so we see the difference. I will also follow the thread with great interest. did you do something for the surface detail? Did the kit came with engraved panel lines and rivets? It looks very convincing on the pics.

Jean-Luc

Stunning Rob, this is going to be fantastic. I picked up the Airfix 1/24 Spitfire and P-51 for £15 each last Sunday and I also intend to paint the Spitfire with a "metal" undercoat. So I will also be watching this with great interest.
Again, wonderful stuff
Mal

Nice one Mal!
Group build on the Spits?
Nige

i'm trying to resist the urge to douse myself in ronseal cedar wood stain and shout "cheap as chips!"
nice one mal

Thanks all for the kind words on the progress of this beast.

One thing I forgot to mention, the clear kit part for the instruments on the back was painted in silver, then painted in the semi gloss black before adding to the instrument panel face. {pix of this in Pt 2}

I don't have the Airfix Sitfire kit in 24 {a friend has 2 of these kits, who intends to follow the BM / 'Doped' idea before painting}, but do have the Trumpeter 24 scale offering of the Mk Vb Trop.

Rowan,

Thanks for the tip on the eilorons being in the red oxide.


Nige,

To answer your questions on this project.

I used the SAM 'Modeller's Data File' book on the Hurricane as a reference to the scratch building of the additional cockpit detail, I used fine and medium copper wire for electricals and switches, evergreen styrene strips and rod for making the boxes, switch mounting plates and the rudder control rods that run under the seat and for the addition engine mounting braces that are on the lower engine mounting frames.

The 'doped' fabric is mixed from Humbrol enamels as follows:
2 parts #132 to 1 part #133 then thin for airbrush use.
The Alclad II is 'Airframe Silver' and has Humbrol Gloss Black as it's under coat.

I found no problem with the rubber tyres in this kit, but some years ago I did a set of resin wheels in 24 scale for a client who was building this kit then.

I still have a few things to add to the engine on this build, but when I complete that task I'll include the pix in part 2 of this project.

Also the surfaces on this bird are a mixture of raised rivit heads and recessed panel lines.

I hope these answers are a help to all.

Rob.

great, I have Data Files on both the Hurricane and Spitfire (of course )



A great idea Nige, but it would be the longest group build ever, I'm up for it though, anyone else?
Yesterday I went to the Aeroventure museum to take a look at the kit collection that they have aquired. I now have the Airfix 1/24 Hurricane, Me 109E, Fw 190A and Ju 87, to add to the Spitfire and P-51
Mal