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Modelers Lounge => The World of Scale Models => Topic started by: Brad Cancian on November 19, 2023, 06:10:12 PM

Title: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on November 19, 2023, 06:10:12 PM
Hi everyone,

Here's my next project; the little 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane Mk.1, with the early fabric wing. I've been collecting a few bits and bobs over the last year or so, with the idea of having a couple of engine and gun panels off, to add a little more interest. The Airfix kit is a nice little kit - not quite up to Arma standards, but still the best game in town for an early fabric winged aircraft.

(https://i.imgur.com/l9VEsO8.jpg)

I will state up front that I am very much NOT an expert on these aircraft... so be gentle! I have a plan to perhaps finish this one as a Belgian or Battle of France aircraft (noting I'll need to get a two-bladed prop from somewhere, if I want to do the former).

A very small start this afternoon - I started prepping the engine bay for the CMK resin engine set. It's always daunting hacking into the nose of a perfectly good kit...! I did think about extending the removal of the cowlings to the panel in front of the cockpit (to scratch build and show the fuel tank), but the CMK firewall is not quite the correct shape to do this, so I settled with only having the front most three cowling panels off, as per the set. The CMK set looks very nice at face value, with some crisp details on the Merlin engine and the firewall. It did take a bit of hacking and sanding to get the parts off their casting blocks (those engine cowls are wafer thin...!). 

The biggest problem with this set is that the engine bearers are too short and too shallow, which means they don't follow the line of the chin panel. I scratchbuilt new bearers from strip styrene:

(https://i.imgur.com/ERLovtk.jpg)

I also had to shim the bottom of the engine cowl piece so that the nose was long enough to accommodate the engine but still allow the exhausts to clear the fuselage panels aft of the engine bay.

A quick test fit:

(https://i.imgur.com/RqBMBYe.jpg)

And a quick test fit in the model:

(https://i.imgur.com/m2vtVLM.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sZzvKFI.jpg)

Now, the modified bearers are far from perfect, and not quite 100% accurate, but I think this should work reasonably well to give the appropriate impression. I will need to take care as I do a little more clean up of the plastic opening, and as I add details. I'll also need to take care to make sure everything is square on the finished model.

(https://i.imgur.com/6M6sQ1v.jpg)

As I said, not too much of a start... but it's a start none the less!

Cheers

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on November 21, 2023, 04:35:11 AM
As I said, not too much of a start...
I beg to differ: removing the kit cowls, scratching the engine mount? That's huge! Well done Brad! I admire anyone who can work wiith exposed engines in 1/72. I'm very excited to follow along.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on November 22, 2023, 05:52:37 AM
Knowing what your standards are I Really Look forward to your further progress!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on November 25, 2023, 06:06:07 PM
Thanks chaps!  ;D

Hi all - many thanks! I appreciate the kind words and encouragement   (And many thanks for the offer Steve, but I have managed to secure a sprue for the single bladed prop - I really appreciate your offer though!).

Small work in the past day or so. I have added some wiring to the engine bay; I have not gone overboard, firstly because I just want it to look 'busy enough', and secondly, my eyes and hands aren't that good! :)

(https://i.imgur.com/o2T8z67.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/pdjaif1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gseS3ZQ.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gkhhYt7.jpg)

I think this will suffice for detail

I started some basic work on the wings today also. I know the Airfix kit didn't get the inboard section of the wing quite right; the 'fabric' section on the aft part of the inner wing were metal, so I taped this area off, in preparation for some filling and sanding.

(https://i.imgur.com/FhZ4jW8.jpg)

I also decided to add the CMK flaps (from their resin flight control set for this kit). I know that Hurricanes generally did not sit on the ground with the flaps extended, but I couldn't help myself...

(https://i.imgur.com/VsUCman.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/8ni6V9m.jpg)

The set fits quite nicely, though I will have to take care when gluing the upper wing trailing edge, as there is a chordwise gap there (to be fair, this was there also with the basic kit), so sanding of the underside of the top wing piece will be needed.

I also want to use the CMK fabric wing gun bay for this kit, so, some more hacking to the wing to open the gun bay. I have only done the starboard side at this stage. Again, the fit here is reasonably good, and the piece sits against the wing with the appropriate 'inset' to replicate the edges of the bay where the wing panels would fix into (though again, I do need to do some more minor fixing here to straighten a few bits and pieces up).

(https://i.imgur.com/VZoiO1l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Riw8RGm.jpg)

Question for the crowd - should I open up the other gun bay also, or just the one, to leave a little more visual interest?

Thanks for looking!

Brad
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Whiteknuckles on November 25, 2023, 07:29:23 PM
Nice work so far Brad, love Hurricanes
I've nothing but admiration for those of you who work with 1/72!!

Andrew
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on November 26, 2023, 01:29:04 AM
Looking awesome Brad!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on November 26, 2023, 01:33:24 AM
Hi Brad, I'm fascinated by the way you're proceeding with this build. My (probably old-school) instinct would be to prepaint all the components and then assemble them after scraping off the contact surfaces, but I've noticed that many people now are painting after everything goes together. I assume you're airbrushing the larger areas and then touching up with a brush...?

RE: the gun bays, I saw an amazing HE-219 at the IPMS show I went to a few weeks ago, with every possible panel removed and detailed—guns, radar equipment, wheel wells, everything. It was a real tour de force, but you kind of didn't know where to look... my vote is to leave it at one bay :)

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on November 26, 2023, 05:52:43 PM
Thanks gents!

Dutch - I do tend to keep things in big enough sub-components to allow ease of construction primarily, with paint generally following afterward. I find that sometimes trying to be too clever with painting subassemblies can end up being a mess when one has to make adjustments for fit, or when one has to thread wiring / piping etc around an engine.

Rick - thanks also for your message - Rick kindly pointed out that I had the wing correction wrong; I smoothed the inboard panel at the wing root, when I really needed to fill the panel aft of the gun bays, i.e. it should be like this:

(https://i.imgur.com/hKc7y1h.jpg)

So, this afternoon I re-added the fabric look on the wing root panel (using sandpaper wrapped around a small file), and filled and smoothed the section aft of the gun bays. I then added the panel lines which provided the demarcation between the metal and fabric sections. Hard to see in these photos, but hopefully this should do the trick...!

(https://i.imgur.com/IRGhALL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cBeeIm1.jpg)

Cheers Rick!

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on November 27, 2023, 02:48:55 AM
I am Happy I was able to help and that you were able to easily correct the error! With all the added detail and now the proper correction this will certainly be a winner!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on November 27, 2023, 09:21:08 AM
Thanks, Brad! I learn something every day on this forum (often two or three somethings...). This is going to be another gem.

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: WD on December 02, 2023, 02:55:59 AM
This is so great!!!  <insert image of Flounder from Animal House>

I'm really looking forward to following along with this.

Warren
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on December 03, 2023, 04:52:18 PM
Hi all - just a minor update, the gun bay has been detailed. I foolishly followed the CMK instructions and installed the ammo boxes with their length running fore to aft, which I thought about afterwards and worked out after the fact was wrong; they needed to be rotated 90 degrees to run lengthwise (which makes sense). I destroyed much of the edges of the bay trying to remove them. I then needed to rebuild the edges of the bays, which I tried to do by cutting pieces off the spare bay. It's far from perfect, but it will do. In the bay itself, I added ammo chutes from strip plastic, wiring from fuse wire, and breech details and fastener attachment points from the ends of etched rigging turnbuckles. 

(https://i.imgur.com/SdAA8S0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rds29wj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jPM9a6c.jpg)

In the end, a tad bittersweet and entirely preventable if I hadn't just blindly followed the instructions... sigh!

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: DaveB on December 03, 2023, 10:38:43 PM
Wow!

Another masterclass job coming from your stable, Brad!

Regards

Dave
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: pepperman42 on December 04, 2023, 06:26:30 AM
Great progress and a save since last time! One of my favorite books of all time is Fighter Pilot by Paul Richey.  I Would love to see his airplane although it was a pretty bog standard scheme....maybe Cobber Kain?

Steve
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Tim Mixon on December 06, 2023, 10:11:02 PM
Wow!  Amazing details Brad. 
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on December 07, 2023, 12:12:47 AM
RE: the detail/paint sequence, now you've got me really curious... how the heck are you going to shoot color into that bay and get coverage on the floor and sides of the without paint buildup? Just a super-light touch...?

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on December 07, 2023, 05:42:36 PM
RE: the detail/paint sequence, now you've got me really curious... how the heck are you going to shoot color into that bay and get coverage on the floor and sides of the without paint buildup? Just a super-light touch...?

Dutch

Indeed Dutch - a light touch :) I'll also use alclads which spray quite thinly to paint the aluminium. I'll pick out the guns in a black with some drybrushing and a wash to finish it off.

Currently focusing on the cockpit; it's already pretty good out of the box, save the instrument panel and seat. I have the Eduard etched fret for the kit which will sort out the instrument panel, but I think I am going to need to scratch build a seat, as the kit one is pretty bad. Oh well, i'm always up for a challenge...!

Cheers again,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: PrzemoL on December 09, 2023, 06:56:59 AM
Very fine modelling. Especially the Brownings compartment draws my attention.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on December 11, 2023, 11:56:52 AM
Exquisite work Brad, the extra detailing will really make this pop! Hard to believe it's only 1/72!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on December 17, 2023, 04:43:46 PM
Thanks all!

Some more minor progress this afternoon. I have scratch built a seat from 10 thou plastic card, as well as a bulkhead, which will cover the seam between the kit part and the fuselage halves. The kit seat is next to the new seat for comparison. I used parts from the Eduard SS501 sheet for the pan detail and adjustment handle.

(https://i.imgur.com/eLnGkTc.jpg)

I scratch built a new control column also, as the kit one (right) is a bit chunky. My scratch built effort is not entirely accurate, but it will do the trick.

(https://i.imgur.com/GFAAxL8.jpg)

I also went back to the flap wells; I decided to remove the roof of the longer bays as I was not happy with the trailing edge join; this way I can simply thin the kit's upper wing and be done. I also discovered to my dismay that the CMK flaps are about 2-3mm too long (as you can see from the resin flap piece i've sat next to the left bay for comparison)... this is odd as the bay inserts fit reasonably well... did CMK not even measure the kit? Sigh. There was no way to trim out the extra length due to the resin parts rib spacing, so, I scratch built a new set of flaps from 10 thou card and thin strip (in white). I might as well have not bought the set, to be perfectly honest...

(https://i.imgur.com/f1e3dG8.jpg)

I think we're just about ready to start putting some paint on this thing somewhere...! That being said, I expect a slow down over Christmas due to work and family commitments... oh well.

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Radarman on December 18, 2023, 01:22:46 AM
Looking good, Brad.
With a bit of luck you might be hit by a freak snowstorm over the
Christmas holidays and get snowed in. Then you can concentrate on modeling.
I look forward to seeing your next installment from here in the northern hemisphere.

 Kevin
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on December 30, 2023, 06:56:12 AM
Bravo Brad, the extra detail you're adding will really set this one off!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on December 30, 2023, 08:43:18 AM
This is continuing to be inspirational Brad. Awesome work!'
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on December 30, 2023, 05:25:08 PM
Thanks gents!

Slow going on this one over Christmas and into the new year with family visiting, plus some reviews still to do - hopefully some progress late on in January on this one once things settle down!

Cheers again!

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 02, 2024, 05:41:51 PM
Hi everyone - happy new year to you all! I managed to finally get some paint onto the interior, engine, and gun bay:

(https://i.imgur.com/Y88XNPd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/SKnRDnl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IEEGvpl.jpg)

This thing is tiny for my old eyes... I think i'm at the point of getting some of the major construction elements done next... finally!

Cheers!

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on January 03, 2024, 05:22:15 AM
If this is your swansong for 1/72 then it's a banger, brilliant work Brad! It looks fantastic! I'd love to achieve effects like this in this scale.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on January 03, 2024, 09:47:33 AM
I was wondering how you were going to pull the paint on those gun bays off... brilliantly, as usual! I built the old Revell Hurricane a couple of times back in the late '60s/early '70s, and remembering how small it was this all seems even more impressive.

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: pepperman42 on January 04, 2024, 10:52:24 AM
Amazing work!

Steve
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Whiteknuckles on January 04, 2024, 01:30:35 PM
Amazing work!

Steve

Agreed!!

This is shaping up to be a little beauty for sure :)

Have you used washes? If so, what do you use?

Andrew
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 04, 2024, 06:19:36 PM
Thanks gents!

Andrew - indeed I do; the wash on this one is raw umber oil paints.

Progress update - fuselage halves are together and wings are mounted. I fitted the upper wing to the fuselage halves first; the fit of the upper wing panel / piece is very nice. The lower wing piece was then added - the fit here is not so great; it looks like the wings are actually slightly different spans and chord... sigh. Nothing some filling and sanding can't fix (though it is still a tad annoying for a modern kit).

Cheers again!

BC 
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on January 05, 2024, 01:10:59 AM
Looking forward to seeing the progress... I had to do a double-take when I read that you'd fitted the upper wing first, though... :D

But then (doh!) I realized what you meant. Still, the idea of a biplane Hurricane is kind of intriguing, in a perverse sort of way.

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 05, 2024, 06:33:49 AM
Hi Dutch - funny you mention that, there was indeed a Hurricane biplane prototyped. Called the 'slip wing' or Hillson Hurricane, the aircraft was actually designed to enable a Hurricane to lift a greater load or take off from a shorter field, with the wing jettisonable after takeoff. It was found that later Hurricane variants could achieve the requirements on their own, so the idea was not necessary.

(https://i.imgur.com/D8m4dj6.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/lSXakzb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IcgEs8X.jpg)

There are some conversion kits out there for this variant - it's definitely something that would make a cool model :)

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Whiteknuckles on January 05, 2024, 08:21:22 AM

Andrew - indeed I do; the wash on this one is raw umber oil paints.


Cool, I'm going to have a go at oil washes on the Bf109E3 I'm currently in the middle of  ;)

Andrew
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on January 05, 2024, 01:35:54 PM
Wow! All the reading I’ve done on British types, and I never ran across that one!

I'd hate to have been the test-pilot assigned to that project; "So, Smithwick, when you get her up to oh, say, four thousand or thereabouts, give a good hard tug on this lever, and your top wing will fall off..."

You have to love those D.VII-style struts, though.

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 05, 2024, 05:49:05 PM
All part of being in the service, old chap! Haha!

The struts do remind one of the Fokker D.VII... who wants to do some kind of weird what-if crossover...?  ;D

In any case, I now have something resembling a Hurricane (engine, front cowl and prop are dry fitted). Still need to do some more clean up to deal with the bottom wing dimensions but thankfully nothing too serious.

(https://i.imgur.com/spHgWHR.jpg)

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on January 06, 2024, 01:10:15 AM
Looks marvelous from over here across the Big Pond. Question: Why did you choose the white primer? And was it airbrushed or a rattle-can?

Dutch
(and, one wonders, would a D.VII/Hurricane hybrid be a "Fokkacane"...? :D )
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on January 06, 2024, 05:28:41 AM
Beautiful work Brad, she really is shaping up nicely. Being a two-blader adds more visual interest too!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 06, 2024, 06:26:13 AM
Thanks gents!

Dutch - there's no primer on the model at this stage; the kit plastic is quite light (and probably looks lighter with my photo editing, as I was trying to get the details to pop out a little more in the picture). 

(https://i.imgur.com/sy1e598.jpg)

When I do prime, it will be with some Mr Surfacer which is a medium grey colour.

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on January 07, 2024, 03:31:37 AM
That is absolutely gorgeous work Brad! The detail painting and washes on the engine and gun bay in this scale is amazing.
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 07, 2024, 09:51:16 AM
Thanks Rick!

I thought i'd try my hand today at something i've never done - scratchbuilding wing tip lights from clear sprue.

The kit moulds the wing tip lights as part of the wing panel. The lights on the real aircraft were coloured bulbs within a clear plastic exterior covering. I trimmed out the locations for the lights, and fashioned some new lights using clear plastic sprue. I drilled a small hole in the clear piece and added small dobs of clear red and clear green to represent the lights. I glued them in, then sanded and polished once the glue had dried. Here's what they look like:

(https://i.imgur.com/TXGJ5gy.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Z8Y3Ero.jpg)

Far from perfect, but much better than trying to paint up the solid grey plastic.

I also added the landing light clear pieces, having painted the back of the insert with a blob of silver to represent the bulb. These pieces were not a great fit, but look ok enough I think.

(https://i.imgur.com/OYBIAus.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/k79WUs9.jpg)

As an aside, I might need to look at that starboard wing dihedral.. but as far as the lights go, overall a successful first try, me thinks.

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on January 07, 2024, 09:58:32 AM
Awesome Brad. Once again you are raising the Bar for the rest of us 1/72nd guys  8)
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Tim Mixon on January 08, 2024, 09:21:03 AM
Masterful work Brad. I really like the lights you’ve scratched up.

Tim
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on January 09, 2024, 07:25:32 AM
I agree with Tim. I always paint a light on the reverse of a landing light part, but never though to make a whole new navigation light. It looks great!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dutch522 on January 09, 2024, 09:41:06 AM
Years ago, following a tip in the old Fine Scale Modeler from somebody or other (probably Bob Steinbrunn, who was, and is, one of my modeling heroes) I started saving clear colored sprues/Christmas oddiments for just such an application. But it never occurred to me that it would only be the bulbs that were colored, and not the covers...

Dutch
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: AngryJazz on January 10, 2024, 11:53:36 PM
Just catching up - Im really impressed with your skills! What a great build  :D
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Thumbs up on January 11, 2024, 07:31:32 AM
The finesse of your lights make those elevators look a little.....mmmrr mmmr mmm clears throat ;)
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: pepperman42 on January 12, 2024, 02:50:50 AM
Looks great!! Clear handled tooth brushes are a great source for those wing tip lights and  clear red, green and blue for those that have coloured covers.

Steve
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 10, 2026, 08:10:49 AM
Hello everyone! After a hiatus of two years with this project, I have decided to dust it off and get on with finishing it :)

Other than a couple of moves of house in between, one of the aspects that killed the mojo previously on this project was the canopy. The sliding portion of the Airfix canopy is too thick to sit nicely in the open position.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55032930145_46810be684_b.jpg)

Hmph. I searched for a while for a commercially available vac canopy but surprisingly couldn't find one. Without a viable alternative this one wasn't going to be able to progress. One of my good friends however came to the rescue with a Pavla vac canopy to help me out. This one fits much better and will allow me to display the canopy open (it's actually a bit large so doesn't quite sit right on its own, but I can manage that):

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55032597981_5b5e36b344_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55032856669_55241eb907_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55032856754_19ca5895cc_b.jpg)

With that issue resolved, I can now progress. There's still some areas on the airframe that need tidying up, but I should be getting close to my next favourite point; priming.

Cheers!

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on January 11, 2026, 07:28:22 PM
That's going to be a stunner - glad she is back on the bench! Amazing detail work in such a small scale.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on January 12, 2026, 12:21:30 AM
That's going to be a stunner - glad she is back on the bench! Amazing detail work in such a small scale.

My thoughts exactly!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on January 21, 2026, 06:51:45 PM
Thanks chaps!

One of my favourite stages is now complete - priming! This for me is where the blank canvas really comes together, and I get excited about some actual painting :) I only had a couple of areas to tidy up and re-prime, which is always nice.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55053323969_f1cbd8898a_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55053249158_9a1e410fe4_b.jpg)

Now, to paint...!

Cheers,

Brad C

Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: DaddyO on January 21, 2026, 07:13:41 PM
Great to see this one on the move again Brad. Looking forward to some colour being added now

Paul
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on March 15, 2026, 05:02:08 PM
Hi all - slow progress but she now has some paint. I used SMS paints for the colours (dark earth and dark green, and super-silver for the underside). It was the first time I used the super-silver as my favourite "RAF High Speed Silver" Alclad is no longer in production. It's a tad too bright, but I am hoping the subsequent flat coats will tone it down.

Using the Airfix decals as a guide, I masked and painted the roundels and numbers, as I was afraid that the decal film would show up on the underside in particular, which basically meant i'd need to paint all the roundels to keep the red/yellow/black colours consistent across the air frame.  There's still a couple of touch ups to do here and there. The squadron "thistle" markings and stencils will be decals.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55148635290_ac47e9586d_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55147359832_c59dfc6035_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55148419768_f82f88ca11_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55148489059_f4143c7b22_b.jpg)

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on March 15, 2026, 06:36:59 PM
That's a lovely paint job Brad, she is coming together nicely.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: WD on March 15, 2026, 10:49:35 PM
Very nice Brad! I love the colors. What Alclad did you used to use for High-Speed Silver? Did you design and cut your own masks for the roundels, or are they a commercial product?

Warren D
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Alexis on March 16, 2026, 12:39:58 AM
Really nice work on the fading the camo and I sure do like the SMS super speed silver , are these paints lacquer base ?
Did you do the fading by lighting the mix in layers or is this done by pershading ?



Alexis
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: WD on March 16, 2026, 12:42:32 AM
Yes, what Alexis said.

Warren D.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on March 16, 2026, 08:10:34 PM
Thanks all!

I did used to use Alclad RAF High Speed Silver, but Alclads are not in production any more, sadly. The silver in this case is SMS super-silver. These are acrylic lacquers, so they are thinned with normal lacquer thinner (I use the Tamiya stuff). I am very much converted to these SMS paints as they spray beautifully (and are a local Australian brand to boot!).

For the other colours, I did a combination of pre-shading with black along the panel lines, then the base colour, and some selective spraying with the base colour lightened with white. This is the first stage of weathering. Next, after I clear coat and apply decals, I'll do more weathering with some more oversprays and oils... but that's a bit of a ways off yet :)

I drew up the masks myself and used my Silhouette cutter to cut them out, using a scan of the Airfix decals as a template for the cutting pattern.

Cheers again!

Brad C
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: WD on March 16, 2026, 10:51:27 PM
Thanks Brad. We still have Alclad here in the US, but I don't recall that particular color in their range. I thought that maybe you had used one of their other metallics.

Warren D.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on March 18, 2026, 12:01:20 PM
Lovely work on the Camo and markings Brad! Outstanding build to date!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on March 22, 2026, 05:11:27 PM
Thanks Rick!

Slow and steady progress... I have now mounted the engine and chin / nose cowl. This was the most daunting part and wasn't without the odd drama here and there, but it's pretty much done now... not perfect but as good as I can get it...

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55160286012_d13d48a92e_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55161429149_34b90fec22_b.jpg)

Next, clear coat and decaling.

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on March 22, 2026, 07:36:29 PM
Are you sure this is 1/72?  ;) Lovely work, the detail and the overall finish is making this a superb model.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Alexis on March 23, 2026, 03:36:43 AM
Hello Brad ,

Thanks for sharing on how you did the first round of the fading . I find it interesting that just white was used . Have you though of an off white or buff for this ?
Very much looking toward the next stage of your build , it is coming along beautifully so far .

Alexis
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: WD on March 23, 2026, 12:16:11 PM
Stunning.

Warren D.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: DaddyO on March 23, 2026, 07:19:13 PM
Well ain't that looking pretty as a peach  :)

Lovely work on the camo Brad; should look spectacular when completed with the Belgian colours and 'old' style prop/spinner

Paul
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on March 24, 2026, 06:37:29 AM
should look spectacular when completed with the Belgian colours and 'old' style prop/spinner
My thoughts exactly! It's a very appealing look, all-round.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on March 25, 2026, 12:05:10 AM
That is a Lovely piece of work Brad!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on April 03, 2026, 06:31:24 PM
Thank you everyone for the kind words!

Decals are now on (really it was only the Squadron emblem on the fuselage, and some stencils).  I've clear gloss coated and done stage one of the weathering. This was done with oil paints to create some tonal variation on the panels.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55184006942_88cfeb45f3_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55185054193_4e7da5aa9c_b.jpg)

Once the oils dry, i'll do another clear coat, then paint chipping, an oil panel line wash, and more staining / weathering. Here is where I start to see the light at the end of the tunnel...!

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on April 04, 2026, 07:16:13 PM
Lovely work with those oil paints, very effective modulation and subtle weathering. This is a fabulous model!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on April 05, 2026, 04:54:01 PM
Thanks Nigel!

While i've been waiting for the oils to dry, i've put together a bit of a base using strips of balsa to represent some wooden boards, stained with oils, and some offcuts of grass matting.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55188802515_8faefe59ef_b.jpg)

Should do the trick with a suitable label attached to the front...

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: DaddyO on April 05, 2026, 06:48:04 PM
Looking great Brad and I really like the inset base panel which looks very classy.  8)

Paul
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on April 05, 2026, 11:43:14 PM
Gorgeous finish on the model Brad! I also like the inlaid base. Well done as always!
RAGIII
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on April 07, 2026, 04:53:35 PM
Thanks Paul and Rick!

I've now completed the weathering; since the last update I added paint chipping, a wash, and some exhaust and gun stains. I tried to not overdo these; most of the Belgian Hurricanes (including H-22) were lost on the ground on May 10 in the opening hours of the Battle of France, so whilst they did see action during the Phoney war, and would have had a bit of weathering, they wouldn't have been super-battle weary.

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55192941435_c2f9f861d4_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55192791944_0126878da7_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55192534911_5a87be5e14_b.jpg)

In any case, calling the weathering done... going to let this lot dry for a bit, then towards final construction...!

Cheers again for looking!

Brad C
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on April 07, 2026, 06:35:54 PM
That weathering looks spot on to me!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on April 08, 2026, 08:09:48 AM
I'm probably repeating myself that I love the combo of Watts prop, Dark Earth and Dark Green over Silver camo and Belgian roundels. Such an attractive look!
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: gedmundson on April 09, 2026, 07:37:22 AM
Gorgeous work so far, Brad.
Cheers,
Gary
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on April 12, 2026, 05:23:17 PM
Getting to the last few details now... wheels are on, undercarriage doors are on, flaps are on, cowling fasteners are on (all 30+ of them)... decided to improve the kit pitot tube:

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55201097957_ce14152c52_c.jpg)

Also, just a little detail but one that makes me smile... the iron sights for the guns (still have to be painted)....

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55201992586_bb3d14c938_c.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55202245089_85066921f8_b.jpg)

Takatakatakataka....!  Hehe!

Next, painting the last little details, then final clear coat... and dreaded canopy attachment...

Cheers,

BC
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Alexis on April 13, 2026, 03:55:28 AM
Really nice job on those details Brad , love the bead sight !



Alexis
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on April 13, 2026, 06:56:23 PM
Wow! Those are amazing additions, there's no way I could have added those as neatly as you in that tiny scale.
Title: Re: WiP - 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: pepperman42 on April 13, 2026, 10:11:39 PM
Just catching up and youre on the last lap!! Looks great.

Steve
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Brad Cancian on April 17, 2026, 06:11:19 PM
Hi all - she be done! My second completion for the year!  ;D

It's been a while coming but glad to finally have this one done. Thanks to all for the support and words of encouragement through this build!

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212868394_a27868ec2f_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212868399_dbaf92da62_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212776958_ef2a5224d3_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55211721572_36b8a18983_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212777003_67cefb2db5_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212868324_ec0d9f66ce_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212868344_0ee540b6c6_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55211721527_64e652bab3_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212868314_2a1b9792e4_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55213021680_61fd611f00_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212776933_b8b0169679_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212776893_3d2abd69bc_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55211721442_9e4a09a711_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212625346_456dd96b19_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55212625306_a8aec09a50_b.jpg)
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55213021565_f2660fce82_b.jpg)

Feedback always welcomed!

Cheers!

Brad C
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: DaddyO on April 17, 2026, 06:43:23 PM
Beautiful model Brad. I look forward to seeing what emerges next from m your talented hands

Paul
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Dirigible-Al on April 17, 2026, 11:19:54 PM
Great workmanship and attention to detail from the small catches around the panel openings to the naughty little bits of grass that poke through the wooden planks.
Alan.
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: KiwiZac on April 18, 2026, 07:44:15 AM
Lovely work Brad, it's turned out so well! What a honey of a base.
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: lcarroll on April 18, 2026, 08:06:44 AM
     Very nice Brad, the detail is beautifully rendered and so sharply defined, outstanding work in such a small scale. Considering your real life tasks of the past year or more I'd say your rate of production is truly remarkable, Well done!
Cheers,
Lance
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: NigelR on April 19, 2026, 06:25:50 PM
That's an absolute stunner Brad. And the presentation is superb as well, a beautiful model all round.
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: Alexis on April 19, 2026, 11:32:57 PM
Out standing Brad !


Alexis
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: RAGIII on May 16, 2026, 12:27:38 PM
Incredible build Brad! Lovely detail work as well as painting and weathering! Simply Brilliant!
RAGIII
Title: Re: Finished! 1/72 Airfix Hawker Hurricane (and extras)
Post by: bobs_buckles on May 18, 2026, 07:40:04 AM
...and she be done, marvellously!

Excellent work, Brad.

BB