Arma Hobby 70035 - 1:72 Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc - Expert Set

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc fighter aircraft plastic model kit in 1:72 scale

Four 20 mm cannon instead of a battery of machine guns – this is the Hurricane that turned from an air defence fighter into a night intruder and ground attack aircraft. Arma Hobby 70035 reproduces exactly that version, the Mk IIc, in 1:72 scale, in the comprehensive Expert Set boxing based on the new 2019 tooling.

The sprues stand out for their very fine surface texture, including the fabric-covered rear fuselage and control surfaces. The kit is supplemented with a brass photo-etched fret and die-cut yellow paper masks for the canopy, wheels and the landing lights in the wing leading edge. The canopy comes in three parts, one of them slightly wider so the sliding hood can be shown open.

The Techmod decal sheet covers four marking options with full stencilling: BE500/LK-A of No. 87 Sqn RAF in spring 1942 (S/Ldr Denis Smallwood), the same airframe as flown during Operation Jubilee over Dieppe on 19 August 1942, when F/Sgt Henryk Józef Trybulec was among its pilots, Z3899/JX-W of No. 1 Sqn RAF at Tangmere in November 1941, and the tropical HV560/FT-Z of No. 43 Sqn RAF at Maison Blanche in Algeria in December 1942 – the aircraft of S/Ldr Michael "Micky" Rook during Operation Torch. A two-part Vokes tropical filter is provided for the last of these.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprue (50 parts)
• Clear sprue (8 parts)
• Brass photo-etched fret
• Die-cut yellow paper self-adhesive masks for the canopy, wheels and landing lights
• Three-part canopy, including a wider section allowing the hood to be shown slid back
• Two-part Vokes tropical filter for the tropicalised option
• Techmod decals for four marking options with full stencilling
• Instructions with colour callouts and a cross-reference table of paint codes

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 70035
• Manufacturer: Arma Hobby
• Assembled model length: approx. 137 mm
• Wingspan: approx. 169 mm
• Skill level: intermediate (photo-etched parts, small components)

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

Building the model:

The parts count is modest, but the detail is fine and the photo-etched fret calls for some experience with such parts and for cyanoacrylate glue. We suggest painting and finishing the cockpit before closing the fuselage halves – once the airframe is buttoned up access is limited, and a good deal is visible through the well-executed transparencies. The three-part canopy allows the hood to be shown closed or slid back; the latter option shows off the cockpit work nicely. The supplied masks noticeably shorten painting of the glazing, wheels and landing lights.

Three of the options wear the standard RAF day fighter scheme of 1941–1942: Dark Green and Ocean Grey uppersurfaces over Medium Sea Grey, with a Sky fuselage band and yellow wing leading edge strips. The tropical No. 43 Sqn machine calls for the desert combination of Dark Earth and Middle Stone over Azure Blue, together with the two-part Vokes filter under the nose. We recommend applying the decals over a gloss coat to limit silvering, and finishing the model with a satin varnish. For an extra step in detail you may consider turned metal cannon barrels or a metal pitot tube, available separately as aftermarket accessories.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding sticks for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched parts
• Precision modelling tweezers for the small parts
• Brushes in various sizes, optionally an airbrush
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish before decalling and satin varnish for the final finish
• Panel line wash to bring out the surface detail

About the aircraft – Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc:

The Hawker Hurricane was the first British monoplane fighter with retractable undercarriage and an enclosed cockpit, and at the same time the last to use a classic tubular fuselage structure with fabric covering. That seemingly conservative choice proved an advantage in the field: damaged aircraft could be repaired quickly at squadron level, and production was ramped up rapidly. During the Battle of Britain Hurricanes made up the majority of RAF fighters and were credited with the largest share of the victories.

The Mk II appeared in 1940 with the more powerful Rolls-Royce Merlin XX of around 1280 hp and its two-speed supercharger. Armament options multiplied alongside the new engine: the Mk IIa retained eight 7.7 mm machine guns, the Mk IIb carried twelve, and the Mk IIc mounted four 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannon. The last of these became the most numerous Hurricane variant of all.

As newer types took over the high-altitude fight over Western Europe, the Hurricane Mk IIc found new roles. It served as a night fighter and intruder hunting over enemy airfields, as a close support machine, and – with bombs under the wings – as the fighter-bomber known as the "Hurribomber". Aircraft of this version also fought in North Africa, the Far East and over Malta, where the tropical configuration with the bulky Vokes dust filter under the nose became standard.

Original aircraft specifications (Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc):

• Length: 9.84 m
• Wingspan: 12.19 m
• Height: approx. 4.0 m
• Wing area: approx. 23.9 m²
• Empty weight: approx. 2600 kg
• Loaded weight: approx. 3480 kg
• Crew: 1
• Powerplant: Rolls-Royce Merlin XX inline engine of approx. 1280 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 540 km/h
• Service ceiling: approx. 11,000 m
• Range: approx. 970 km, approx. 1480 km with underwing fuel tanks
• Armament: 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannon
• External stores: up to 2 x 250 or 500 lb bombs (fighter-bomber configuration)

About the manufacturer – Arma Hobby:

Arma Hobby is a Polish plastic model manufacturer based in Warsaw, operating under this name since 2016. The brand grew out of Attack Squadron, previously known for resin accessories for aircraft models. Design and tooling are carried out in Poland, using computer-aided design and scanning of surviving airframes. The kits are recognisable by their very fine surface reproduction – delicate rivets and panel lines – and thin trailing edges. These are complemented by well-executed clear parts and high-quality decals. The catalogue covers 1:72 and 1:48 scales, with a strong focus on Polish aviation – PZL P.7a, PZL P.11c and TS-11 Iskra – as well as Allied aircraft of the Second World War. Arma Hobby kits have been recognised in industry awards on several occasions, including a Model of the Year title at the Nuremberg toy fair. The company also continues to develop its approach of supplementing kits with 3D-printed parts and releasing downloadable files for home printing.