Hobby Master HA8601/HA8602 RAF Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 (1/48 Scale)

[ACpilot]

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA8601
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I R4175, Sgt. J. Frantisek, No.303 (Polish) Sqn.,
RAF Northolt, Sept 1940

January 2015 Releases

Dan




Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA8602
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I P2961, Flying Officer W.L. McKnight, No 242 (Canadian) Sqn.,
RAF Coltishall, Dec 1940

[Skoshi]

I do like the 242 sqn one, cant wait for prepro

[eugenevh]

Very nice models. And they will make some collectors happy.
Personally I am waiting for one of the SAAF Hurricane Mk I models to be made which will depict one of the SAAF units who flew them in the East African and North African campaigns during WWII. I can wish can I not.

[ACpilot]

Very nice models. And they will make some collectors happy.
Personally I am waiting for one of the SAAF Hurricane Mk I models to be made which will depict one of the SAAF units who flew them in the East African and North African campaigns during WWII. I can wish can I not.

You sure can!

Send your SAAF suggestion (include some photos if you have them) to:

williamliu@hobbymaster.com.hk

William runs the company and has responded to numerous collectors requests over the years.

Good Luck!

Dan

[eugenevh]

Hi Dan,

Thank you very much for the information.
I will indeed e-mail William.

I have the book series "South African Colours and Markings" which details the exact colours to use on models including sketches which will help with modelling.
The SAAF have a rich history, being the second oldest Commonwealth Air Force.

Thank you. I'll give it a try.
Have nothing to lose and plenty to gain.

[ACpilot]

Hobby Master 1/48 Air Power Series
HA8602
Hawker Hurricane Mk.I P2961, Flying Officer W.L. McKnight, DFC and Bar, No 242 (Canadian) Sqn.,
RAF Coltishall, Dec 1940

Production Limited 1,000 Units

April 2015 Release

Please note: My photographs of the model are on the “overexposed” side of things. For truly accurate photos please refer to Ed’s (Agent X20) excellent photos that better represent the actual colour of the model.

http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/military-model-aircraft/136081-hm-1-48-hurricanes-ha8601-ha8602.html

The Pilot and Aircraft

This aircraft is from the renowned Squadron Leader Douglas Bader's 242 (Canadian) RAF Squadron, 1940. "LEA" was piloted by William Lidstone "Willie" McKnight, a Canadian in the RAF.

"Willie" Mcknight was the first Canadian ace and the country's fifth-highest scoring ace of the Second World War. McKnight joined the RAF in early 1939 and served in No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF during the final phase of the Battle of France, covering the Allied retreat from Brittany, and later the Battle of Britain. McKnight's aircraft wore a distinct cartoon of a jackboot kicking Hitler on the port side of the engine cowling. His Hurricane also carried a human skeleton image which held a sickle in its hand under the cockpit, on both sides of the aircraft. McKnight scored 17 victories, as well as two shared and three unconfirmed kills. McKnight was shot down and killed on 12 January 1941 during a fighter sweep over Calais.

Willie McKnight was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada but grew up in Calgary. For those who have ever been at the Calgary International Airport (YYC) - McKnight Boulevard was named in his honour.



242 Squadron's Eric Ball, Douglas Bader & Willie McKnight admire their unit's unofficial motif



McKnight was a Medical Student before the War and used that training to paint Skeletons on the port and starboard sides of his aircraft.






"McKnight's Hat Trick" by Michael Martchenko

On this day, August 30, 1940, following hard fighting, S/L Bader tucked in alongside his wingman, "Willie" McKnight as they returned to base. The exuberant Bader held up two fingers indicating his two victories. The Canadian flashed back three indicating a "Hat Trick". Bader was elated. The squadron that day claimed a total of 12 enemy A/C destroyed without loss to themselves. The tide of the battle was turning.






The Model

The model is just stunning in my opinion. Compared to previous rendition’s of MckNight’s Hurricane, the Markings are far better researched and executed. Photos not previously available have been used to reproduce the Skeletons and the "Kicking Hitler" motif. The artwork alone for this release went through nine separate renditions before the details were made right.

There are two separate canopies provided. One for the closed position and one intended for the open position. There are tabs on the open canopy that when inserted into the grooves simply has the canopy closed again. I asked William and he said that future models will not have any tabs on the second canopy so that it may more easily displayed open. In any event, if one cuts off the tabs - the canopy can be opened up.

The Gunsight ahead of the cockpit is a bit over scale. If it was made much smaller however it would too easily be broken. Of Note is that Corgi's 1/72 and even 1/32 Scale Hurricanes neglected this feature entirely.

There have been some who have been critical of the length of the nose on Hobby Master’s tooling. The introduction of the Merlin XX engine for the Mk. II added 7 inches to the length (all ahead of the firewall). This is about 2 or 3 millimeters in 1/48 Scale. I also believe that those critics are confusing late model Mk.Is with early model Mk.Is. The line drawing below demonstrates that the difference between a late model Mk.1 and a Mk.II is really negligible in that area.
.

Overall, I like this model a great deal and easily recommend it for your collections. A great addition to anyone's Canadain, RAF, or Battle of Britain themes.



Image from Hurricane in Action Squadron - Signal Publications No.72

[ACpilot]

Final Product Photos are up on Hawkone's website.

http://www.hobbymastercollector.com/HA8602.html

Dan