Hurricane model kits is still a hot topic for modellers worldwide. Variety of colours and markings inspires them to build more than one kit. Roy Kinsella has built two Hurricane Mk I kits in Irish markings. Read an article with notes on aeroplanes history and markings and comment model pictures now!
Irish Air Corps Hurricane Mk.I nr 105, built from 1/72 Arma Hobby 70020 Hurricane Mk.I Model Kit
Hawker Built, delivered to RAF as V7540 in 1940. Served in the following RAF Squadrons during WWII: 605, 501, 286, 182 sqns, 10 group. Army Air Corps 55 Operational Training Unit. RAF service ended in 1943. Then it was collected by IAC pilots and flown from the UK to neutral Ireland. It entered service MAY 1943 with No.1 Fighter Squadron and was transferred almost immediately to Rineanna Aerodrome (Shannon Airport today), on the west coast of Ireland. At the end of WWII the aircraft returns to Dublin and it is retired in 1946. All remaining IAC hurricanes in IAC service were replaced with Supermarine Seafire LF.III in 1947.
MARKINGS: On delivery to the Irish Air Corps in 1943 this small batch of hurricanes retained their former RAF livery. However it is likely that the majority of the airframe was repainted with lighter shades of grey similar but not precise to the RAF Grey colour of the period. This may have been done prior to leaving the UK or on arrival to Ireland. New green and orange IAC roundels were painted over the RAF ones on the upper Wings, whilst below the wings an Irish tri-color of green, white and Orange covered the former RAF roundels. Each side of the fuselage was also given an Irish Roundel and in this instance the “105” code behind the roundel. The forward fuselage and upper parts of wings on this particular Hurricane appear to retain the original RAF Dark Green but the rear of the aircraft has a lighter shade of newer green applied, This was possibly to cover the previous RAF markings in their entirety. I have tried to replicate this livery here in this build.
Roy used the following Hataka paints when airbrushing this model;
- RAF GREY – HATAKA A032 Ocean Grey
- RAF GREEN – HATAKA A016 Dark Green
- RAF Underside GREY – A034 Medium Sea Grey
- IAC DARK GREEN: 6 parts A016 Dark Green and 5 parts A202 Dark Slate Grey
- IAC LIGHT GREEN: A202BS Dark Slate Grey
- IAC LIGHT GREY: 1:1 A032 Ocean Grey/Insignia White
- IAC Underside GREY: 3 parts A034 Medium Grey and 1 part A192 Basalt Grey
Various Alclad II Metal Lacquers and Finishing coats were used throughout the painting process. Decals were produced by Max Decals.
…Arma Hobby have produced this kit to an incredibly high standard. The plastic sprues are accurately produced and very clean in appearance, there was very little cleaning required of any parts.
Assembly of the kit was straight forward and the parts had an exceptional fit. This kit is incredibly engineered and the surface detail is mouth watering to behold. I really like the optional open or closed canopies in this kit in particular.
The Photo-Etch is an added bonus but having built a second build without the etch I was equally as satisfied with the results. Arma have set the bar firmly high where accuracy and design is concerned with this Mk.I Hurricane. A very easy and rewarding kit to build and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in the subject.
I’m looking forward to building more of their products in the future now after building these two kits…
Irish Air Corps Hurricane Mk.I nr 110, built from 1/72 Arma Hobby 70019 Hurricane Mk.I Expert Set!
This Hurricane was built at the Canadian Car Foundry between 1940 and 1941. It was shipped to the UK and entered service with the RAF serving most of its career with 56 Operational Training Unit (56 OTU). In 1944 it was transferred to Newtownards, Co.Down, Northern Ireland and recorded as the airfields “Station Flight” before being withdrawn from serve with the RAF. On 21st of February 1944 the aircraft was delivered to Baldonnel, Ireland and entered service with No.1 Fighter Squadron. It served throughout 1944 and 1945 just outside Dublin patrolling the eastern coast and the Irish Sea. In November 1945 it crash landed in Co.Wexford and was withdrawn from service.
MARKINGS: On delivery to the Irish Air Corps in 1944 this aircraft is photographed in IAC livery but is also exposing generous amounts of its former RAF livery.
In this instance the RAF Roundels and codes appeared to be quickly painted over. Along the fuselage we can see where the former RAF roundel was positioned but is now overpainted with a darker green than the rest of the fuselage. Along each side of the fuselage we can see a smaller than standard IAC roundel, possibly an Irish Hawker Hind stencil being used in place of the standard Hurricane one.
The code “110” is painted behind the fuselage roundels. There is a slight hint that the former RAF Sky band at the end of the fuselage is appearing through. Also the Blue, White and Red RAF Tri-Colour appears to be coming through on sections of the tail on this airframe too. Larger green and orange IAC roundels appear to be painted over the RAF ones on the upper Wings, whilst below the wings an Irish tri-colour of green, white and Orange cover the former RAF roundels.
The forward fuselage camouflage appears to retain the original RAF Green and Grey paint and is very badly weathered. However the rear half of the fuselage just behind the cockpit area, moving along to the tail was repainted with fresh paint, Both Green and Grey paint here is much lighter in shade than the former RAF paints see at the forward end of the aircraft.
This was possibly carried out quickly either at the UK before collection or on arrival to Dublin, Ireland, likely the latter. As a result, this aircraft appears both new and old in places. Roy tried to replicate this finish here with this build.
Roy used the following Hataka paints when airbrushing this model;
- RAF GREY – A032 OCEAN GREY
- RAF GREEN – A016 Dark Green
- RAF Underside GREY – A034 Medium Sea Grey
- IAC GREEN- 2 parts A016 Dark Green and 1 part A202 Dark Slate Grey
- IAC LIGHT GREY – 1:1 A032 Ocean Grey/Insignia White
- IAC Underside GREY – 3 partsA034 Medium Grey and 1 part A192 Basalt Grey
Various Alclad II Metal Lacquers and Finishing coats were used throughout the painting process. Decals were produced by Max Decals.
You may be also interested:
- Modele Hurricane Model Kits and Accessories in Arma Hobby shop
- Hataka acrylic and lacquer paints in Arma Hobby shop
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