Arma Hobby 70026 - 1:72 Hurricane Mk I Trop Western Desert - Limited Edition

Plastic model kit of the Hawker Hurricane Mk I Trop fighter in 1:72 scale – Western Desert Limited Edition

Sand and brown camouflage, a Vokes filter under the nose and airstrips carved out of the desert – Arma Hobby 70026 is a limited edition devoted to the Hurricanes that fought over the Western Desert. The model is based on the 1:72 tooling the manufacturer introduced in 2018.

The kit comprises two plastic sprues and a separate clear parts sprue. The distinctive Vokes dust filter gives the model the recognisable silhouette of an aircraft adapted to service in a hot climate.

The four options span the whole North African theatre: a Free French machine of Groupe de Chasse 'Alsace', a No. 73 Sqn RAF aircraft from Gazala, a No. 274 Sqn RAF Hurricane from Gerawala and a No. 3 Sqn RAAF machine from Benina.

What's in the box:

• Two plastic sprues
• Clear parts sprue
• Decal sheet for four marking options
• Assembly instructions with a canopy mask template

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Product code: 70026
• Manufacturer: Arma Hobby
• Assembled length: approx. 137 mm
• Wingspan: approx. 169 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Please note: glue, paints and modelling tools are not included. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly is straightforward and the clear parts breakdown makes for relaxed work. The cockpit is painted and finished before the fuselage is closed, and it is worth spending a moment fitting the Vokes filter housing accurately to the lower cowling. Canopy masks can be cut from masking tape using the template in the instructions.

For the desert schemes we suggest Dark Earth and Mid Stone on the upper surfaces with Azure Blue below – the standard finish of RAF fighters in North Africa. Sand shades take well to gentle lightening and to service effects: chipping on the wing leading edges, exhaust staining and pigments imitating dust. We recommend applying the decals over a gloss coat and finishing the model with satin varnish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes or an airbrush
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish under the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Decal setting and softening solutions
• Wash to emphasise the panel lines

About the aircraft – Hawker Hurricane Mk I Trop:

The war in the Western Desert confronted air forces with problems unknown in Europe: pervasive dust, heat and airfields laid out on desert ground. Hurricanes sent to North Africa received the Vokes dust filter, which extended Merlin engine life at the cost of some performance.

From late 1940 the aircraft of Nos. 73 and 274 Squadrons RAF, No. 3 Squadron RAAF and Free French units fought over Cyrenaica and Egypt, at first against the Italian air force and from 1941 against the Luftwaffe as well. Hurricanes flew fighter, escort and ground-attack missions, striking supply columns and enemy airfields.

These aircraft represented the Mk I with the Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III engine and eight 7.7 mm Browning machine guns in the wings. Although outperformed in the desert by newer designs, their toughness and ease of servicing in field conditions mattered greatly in keeping the squadrons operational.

Original aircraft specifications (Hurricane Mk I in tropical configuration):

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Wingspan: 12.19 m
• Length: 9.84 m (with the Rotol / de Havilland propeller)
• Empty weight: approx. 2260 kg
• Loaded weight: approx. 3000 kg
• Powerplant: Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III inline engine of approx. 1030 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 520 km/h
• Range: approx. 740 km
• Service ceiling: approx. 10,000 m
• Armament: eight 7.7 mm Browning machine guns in the wings
• Production: the Hurricane family totalled more than 14,000 aircraft of all versions

About the manufacturer – Arma Hobby:

Arma Hobby is a Warsaw model company that has been active since 2016 and continues the Attack Squadron brand, which previously specialised in resin accessories. Design work is done on computer, with the designers drawing on scans of surviving aircraft; the moulds are made in Poland. The hallmark of the kits is very fine rivets and panel lines, thin trailing edges and carefully rendered canopies. The decals supplied with the models are well printed and settle nicely onto the surface. The catalogue is developed in 1:72 and 1:48, with numerous releases devoted to Polish aviation – the PZL P.7a, PZL P.11c and TS-11 Iskra – and to Allied aircraft of the Second World War. Arma Hobby models have been distinguished many times in industry polls, including with the Model of the Year title at the Nuremberg fair. The company also consistently develops 3D-printed parts and downloadable print files as a supplement to its kits.