The new 1/48 scale Hurricane Mk I model is a completely fresh version of our bestselling Hurricane Mk IIb/c. We created it from the ground up to faithfully capture the structural differences between the variants — from the shorter fuselage to the newly designed wings and details characteristic of the Battle of Britain era.
We present the design of the new Hawker Hurricane Mk I model in 1/48 scale. Our bestselling Mk IIb/c kit has been reworked into the Battle of Britain Hurricane Mk I version by adding two new sprues – with a new fuselage, wings, and details specific to the earlier production standard.
The Hurricane Mk I Aircraft
The Hawker Hurricane Mk I was one of the most important fighter aircraft of the early years of World War II and the first modern RAF fighter with a retractable undercarriage and enclosed cockpit. Although its structure was largely traditional — based on a steel-tube fuselage frame covered with fabric — it stood out for its durability, simplicity, and ease of manufacture.
Early production examples had fabric-covered wings and a fixed-pitch two-blade wooden propeller. Later batches introduced significant improvements: metal wings, three-blade variable-pitch propellers (of de Havilland and Rotol types), and minor equipment updates, such as an additional inspection panel on the right-hand side of the fuselage.
The Hurricane Mk I was powered by the Rolls-Royce Merlin I, II or III engine, developing 1,030–1,300 hp, allowing speeds of over 500 km/h. It was simpler and cheaper to produce than the Spitfire, and its ease of maintenance allowed rapid replacement of combat losses. It was the Hurricane, not the Spitfire, that destroyed most of the Luftwaffe bombers during the Battle of Britain, forming the backbone of Britain’s air defence.
After 1940, the aircraft was replaced by the Hurricane Mk II with a Merlin XX engine and a longer fuselage, while earlier machines were reassigned to fighter-bomber, coastal defence, and training duties. Although it was eventually outperformed by newer types, the Hurricane Mk I remains a symbol of RAF bravery and effectiveness during the hardest period of the war.
Differences between Hurricane Mk IIb (top) and Hurricane Mk I (bottom):
How the Hurricane Mk I Model Was Created
Our first 1/48 scale Hurricane model was the Mk II. However, it was impossible to prepare a proper Mk I without a complete redesign of the fuselage and wings – using plug-in sections or sanding details was out of the question. The versions differ not only in length but also in how the wing connects to the fuselage.
The Hurricane Mk I model has a shorter fuselage than the Mk II, matching the actual structural difference between the aircraft. The Mk I used Merlin II/III engines, while the Mk II introduced the more powerful Merlin XX with a two-speed supercharger system. The new engine required a longer front section (about 5 inches), which affected the proportions of the airframe.
The wing was also designed from scratch. The Mk I carried eight .303 inch Browning machine guns, while the Mk IIb had twelve. Trying to “lighten” a Mk IIb wing would be inconvenient and could damage surface details such as raised rivets or panel lines. That’s why we designed an entirely new wing matching the correct fuselage–wing geometry.
Hurricane Mk I wing
Differences Between the Models
The Hurricane Mk I model differs from the Mk II version in the following elements:
- New, shorter fuselage housing the Merlin I/II/III engine.
- New wing with 2×4 Browning .303 inch (7.69 mm) machine guns.
- Three types of propellers:
- de Havilland,
- Rotol with Spitfire spinner,
- Rotol with Hawker spinner.
- Optional oil collector ring from late Mk I examples.
- Removable engine front detail visible after removing the propeller.
- Radiator and carburettor intake correctly shaped for the Mk I.
- Tropical air filter fitted to the Mk I fuselage and wing.
- Option to mount a gun camera in the leading edge of the left wing (a feature from later aircraft).
The kit represents three late-production Hurricane Mk I aircraft with metal wings and Rotol propellers, built by Gloster Aircraft between May and October 1940, shown in different camouflage schemes from various service periods.
Trzy Hurricane’y z premierowego pudełka 1/48… a malowania są cztery!
Three Propeller Types Used on Hurricane Mk I
Propellers: Rotol Hurricane, Rotol Spitfire, and de Havilland
Oil Collector Ring Behind the Hurricane Propeller
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Rotol (Spitfire-type) Propeller and Hurricane Mk I Engine Front Detail
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Hurricane Mk I Radiator and Carburettor Intake
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Hurricane Mk I Tropical Air Filter
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Conclusion
The Hurricane Mk I 1/48 model is in the final stage of preparation. Pre-orders will open between October and November 2025, and shipping of finished kits is planned for the last week of November this year.
- See the Hurricane Mk I model in the Arma Hobby store link
Wanted to be Philanthropist, statesman and patron of the arts. Temporarily focused on developing scale model production in Poland. Co-founder of Arma Hobby. Designer of kits: TS-11 Iskra, PZL P.7a, Fokker E.V, PZL P.11c, Hawker Hurricane, Yak-1b, FM-2 Wildcat, P-51B/C Mustang and 1/48 Hurricane.
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