Caption has it being taken in November 1940 - strange though one would think it would have the underside roundels by then. The underside do look clean, so it’s possibly a repaint with markings yet to be applied. Note too that the Hurricane Davis ultimately met his fate in was of a different serial code.
Thanks for the kind words guys. Jack, nice reference picture! I agree with your assessment. From what I can see though, I’m not convinced the forward panel is natural metal and not just the lighting. Reference the serial numbers, I think at this stage of the war, due to the attrition rate, these guys flew whatever was available or my example was just an earlier mount of his…just speculating but who knows.
I got her clearcoated and while waiting for it to cure (I use Alclad Clear Gloss, so this is only a matter of a few hours), I turned my attention to the landing gears, wheels and such. The gears on this kit are nicely detailed and quite impressively intricate. After paint, I ran the brake lines with fine wire per reference photos to add that extra dimension. I ended up using a True Details set of wheels since the kit tires seem sort of cartoonish to me (anyone remember that Amazing Stories episode in the '80’s with the magical cartoon B-17 wheels…classic!).
The decals were Aeromaster and went down beautifully under Micro Sol. As a matter of fact, I use Aeromaster Decals for all my British roundels since these can be tricky. I ultimately decided to exercise artistic licensing and add the underwing roundels because I concur with Jack and suspect this plane did have them at one point. Furthermore, to be quite frank, Battle of Britain planes just don’t look right without them. It just leaves me with that hollow feeling. Once complete, I gave the panel lines a Flory Wash of Black on top and Dark Dirt on the bottom. I must admit that at first I didn’t like this stuff because it just beaded up on the gloss surface and had a strange gritty texture, however, persistence does pay off as it dries and the stuff does eventually go into the crevices nicely. The key is to use a large brush and coat everything with it repeatedly. Once dry, wipe it off with a slightly damp paper towel. I use paper coffee filters which don’t leave behind lint. I’m in the home stretch…stay tuned.
Looking sharp Joe,I’ve had the same issue with that wash and you’re correct persistance pays off. Nice attention to detail and the lighter shade on the fabric covered control surfaces looks spot on! Cheers Trey
I’m gonna call her finished. To recap, its the 1/48 scale Hasegawa Hurricane MK I in the Battle of Britain era markings of Carl Davis’ 601 Squadron out of Tangmere in August of 1940. Davis was a nine kill ace of American decent. He was KIA on September 6th 1940 in a dogfight with a BF 109 over the skies of England.
In review of the kit, it scores points for great detail in the cockpit and landing gear, but falls short with the closed canopy and lousy fit in some areas, most notably at the lower wing fuselage joint. I added Eduard seatbelts, a Squadron Canopy (both pieces) and True Details wheels. I also used Aeromaster decals 48-577 “Yanks in the RAF” for Davis’ Hurricane. Surprisingly, once the fuselage codes were sealed and dullcoated, I had some trouble with the carrier film showing through and there was some silvering on the starboard side, albeit minor but its there if you look closely. I normally have little trouble with Aeromaster products, so I must assume the silvering was because I failed to clear coat it enough in this area before application and the decal did not get a good seal in that spot. The Eduard canopy masks performed flawlessly and I added a scratch built handle to the exterior of the canopy from Evergreen rod. Here she is and thanks for following the thread.
I’m gonna call her finished. To recap, its the 1/48 scale Hasegawa Hurricane MK I in the Battle of Britain era markings of Carl Davis’ 601 Squadron out of Tangmere in August of 1940. Davis was a nine kill ace of American decent. He was KIA on September 6th 1940 in a dogfight with a BF 109 over the skies of England.
In review of the kit, it scores points for great detail in the cockpit and landing gear, but falls short with the closed canopy and lousy fit in some areas, most notably at the lower wing fuselage joint. I added Eduard seatbelts, a Squadron Canopy (both pieces) and True Details wheels. I also used Aeromaster decals 48-577 “Yanks in the RAF” for Davis’ Hurricane. Surprisingly, once the fuselage codes were sealed and dullcoated, I had some trouble with the carrier film showing through and there was some silvering on the starboard side, albeit minor but its there if you look closely. I normally have little trouble with Aeromaster products, so I must assume the silvering was because I failed to clear coat it enough in this area before application and the decal did not get a good seal in that spot. The Eduard canopy masks performed flawlessly and I added a scratch built handle to the exterior of the canopy from Evergreen rod. Here she is and thanks for following the thread.
Joe
…and my homage to “The Few”…thank you for your service
Joe, that’s a beautiful Hurricane! Man, you’ve done a great job on it. This is the kind of craftsmanship that really inspires me. It’s been great fun following your progress, thanks for taking us along.
That is awesome work there![:D[ Builds like yours give me something to work towards. Have you ever had trouble with the Blue Tac sticking to the model?
Joe, a super great job with the Hurri. I too think the RAF aircraft look their best when in their full compliment of roundels. I’m still not sure of the reasoning behind the lighter colour for the fabric control surfaces, but if it is artistic license will leave it at that.
The pilot subject, Davis, is interesting - given what he had accomplished I’m surprised we don’t hear about him more often. Your final photo of the combined builds is a beautiful tribute to that epic battle of 1940.
Thanks for the kind words guys. Mike, yes sometimes the Blue Tac does leave a little residue but to remedy it, after your done, just roll it up into a ball and dab it on the residue in the same motion you would use to remove a decal with duct tape. The reside should come right off. Jack, someone always mentions the fabric control surfaces. Its mostly artistic license, however, I must add that I’ve been to the Air Force Museum in Dayton and I’ve seem some of the fabric control surfaces lighter that the rest of the sheet metal up close, especially on the older 30’s designs such as the Hurricane. Of course these are restored birds so who knows if this was accurate during the war. That being said, I try to keep it subtle but sometimes it more noticeable that other times.
Joe, thanks for the reply about the Blue Tac. I will have to give it a try. Seems like a better method than the paper masks I’ve been using on other builds.
Where have you guys found the Blue Tac poster putty? Instead of building yesterday I spent a good part of the day out in the rain looking for the stuff.
I don’t know what neck of the woods your from Mike, but I found mine at Drug Mart, a drug store chain in Northeast Ohio. I would imagine any drug store, such as CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen’s etc., would carry it in their stationary isle. You might want to check online as well.
Joe, the Drug Mart in Brunswick didn’t have it![*-)] Typical whenever I’m looking for something.[8o|] I’ll check a few more drug stores this weekend and if I don’t find it may have to try another brand.
