**** DONE: Hurricane Mk1, L1807, DU-X, 312 (Czech)Sqn, RAF, October 1940 Group Build.

[N4521U]

Thanks for the info on the kits, gives me a reference point for comparison. Am looking forward to watching it progress.

[Airframes]

No problem Bill. I'll try to remember to post some pics of the cockpit sides and other parts before adding the extra detail.

[Wayne Little]

Look forward to the detail before and after Terry...

[Airframes]

At last I've made a start on this model!
The first job was to figure out exactly what to do and what not to do! The reason being that L1807 was one of the first production batch Hurricane Mk1s, with the fabric covered wings, and a few other little detail differences, compared to the presentation in the kit.
Changing the wing to the fabric version is not quite as easy as it sounds as, apart from having to replicate the fabric ribbing, in itself not too difficult, but time consuming, the gun access hatches were a different shape, and the landing lamps were in a slightly different position, being further inboard. Also, only the top surface of the inner wing panels were metal covered, meaning that the complete centre-section on the underside would need to be re-modelled!
All this could be done, but not in the time remaining for this Group Build. However, many of these early Hurricanes had the outer wing sections replaced with the metal wings, especially if they had undergone major overhaul or repair. From the available photographs of the Squadron's aircraft at the time (in the early serial block), it's not possible to definitely ascertain if the wings had been replaced, although one shot suggests they might have been on at least one airframe. So, I've taken a gamble, and made the decision that L1807 very likely might have possibly with a bit of luck had the 'new' wings fitted - perhaps!!
With that out of the way, work has started to back-date the Airfix kit to an earlier version, by removing some moulded detail, and enhancing some other areas. Fortunately, the detail is mostly of the raised variety, which has made things a little easier.
PIC 1. Shows the additional hatch on the starboard side, which was introduced from mid-1940, and was for access to the newer VHF radio. This needed to be removed, as it is known that L1807 still had the TR9 radio fitted, as did many Fighter Command aircraft at the time, especially those operating away from the main area of the Battle, in the Sectors covered by 11 group in the south. The Squadron was, of course, 'up north', on Merseyside.
PIC 2 shows the hatch outline and fasteners removed, and awaiting clean-up.The first stage of engraving the outlines of the remaining hatches is underway, and the raised detail will then be carefully shaved off, and the areas polished.
PIC 3. Again, re-scribing of the access hatches is underway, and the opening for the hand-hold has been cut out. This will have the cover fitted in the open position, to match the extended boarding step, and this will be made from thin plastic strip. (The hand-hold automatically opened when the step was pulled down)
PIC 4. The access ports for the manual crank and oil breather pipe have been drilled on each side of the lower cowlings.
PICS 5 and 6. The somewhat spurious, and Spartan, detailing moulded onto the cockpit side walls. It's actually quite adequate, given that the kit's canopy is a one-piece, non-opening item, but the port wall doesn't really match either an early or late production Mk1, being a sort of MkI/MkII hybrid. The starboard wall is also strange, with what is presumably supposed to be one of the tubular frames running up through the knock-out hatch area! Still, this was quite advanced for 1979, when the kit was first released.
PICS 7 and 8. The same areas after the addition of some minimal scratched detail, using plastic rod, tube and card. I haven't yet decided whether to cut off the kit windscreen, and mould a new canopy, in the open position, and even with the canopy open, not that much can be seen inside. But, I felt the cockpit needed just a touch more detail, without going overboard, to enhance the area slightly.
PIC 9. The seat and rear bulkhead under construction. The seat back, bulkhead, and head armour have had slots cut into them for the multi-part seat harness, and this is in the process of being added, using metal foil. A seat adjusting lever has also been added, made from a piece of bent plastic rod, and the seat sides have been thinned slightly.
PIC 10. A very basic representation of the angular rudder pedals have been added, again from plastic rod, as these will just be visible, even through a closed canopy. The kit provides a 'solid' floor, which sits directly on top of the undercarriage bay, so not much could be done to replicate the tubular construction beneath the heel boards. Instead, a couple of pieces of plastic rod have been added, to give an impression of the control linkages and framework, and these will be painted to contrast with the lower areas, which in turn will be painted a darker shade, to give some 'depth' to the cockpit.
PIC 11. The kit instrument panel has been slightly enhanced by the addition of the lower supporting tube, and the compass barrel, again using rod and tube. Since I last built one of these kits, Airfix have added a decal for the instrument panel, which I'll use in this instance.
As this is a fairly simple and straightforward kit, progress should be rather smooth, so I should get some more done between sessions on the '109, and might even get to the painting stage in a couple of days.
Thanks for your interest to date, and I'll post some more soon.

[Lucky13]

Looking dogs bollocks old chap!

[Airframes]

Thanks awfully old chap !

[Wurger]

This is we all always like Terry. Great job so far.

[Wayne Little]

[Airframes]

Thank you my friend!
EDIT: Crossing posts - and thank to Wayne too !

[Crimea_River]

EDIT - Double post.

[Crimea_River]

Looking forward to more Terry. I think that your logic that it likely might have been possible with a bit of luck that the wings were metal is impeccable!

[rochie]

nice start Dogsbody

[T Bolt]

Great start.........at last!

However, many of these early Hurricanes had the outer wing sections replaced with the metal wings, especially if they had undergone major overhaul or repair. From the available photographs of the Squadron's aircraft at the time (in the early serial block), it's not possible to definitely ascertain if the wings had been replaced, although one shot suggests they might have been on at least one airframe. So, I've taken a gamble, and made the decision that L1807 very likely might have possibly with a bit of luck had the 'new' wings fitted - perhaps!!

Love the logic Terry!!

[Airframes]

It was a great technical struggle, but the logic proves that any thing is possible - maybe, if in luck!
Thanks guys, I might have some more progress to show later tonight.

[Wayne Little]

....nothing wrong with well placed logic Terry...