Shortage of Hawker Hurricanes

[topgazza]

Really strugging to find a quality Hurricane 1/48 model. Airfix do one and Hasagawa have a 1997 tooled one but no Tamiya or even ICM. For one of the most important planes in WWII thats a disgrace. Sure the Spitfire is more glamourous and rightly so, but the Hurricane was, and is a master piece of an aircraft

 

[Dave Ward]

Well - How about the Italeri Mk. I, Classic Airframes Mk.I,
The Hurricane was always less glamourous than the Spitfire - and makers go for models that have a ready market. The Airfix Mk I is a very nice model, and will be hard to beat by any maker...........
Dave

 

[Komedy]

The Arma Hobby Hurricane in 1/72 is considered the best hurricane kit there is. If you get the expert version it comes with masks and some PE

Warren

 

[Tim Marlow]

The italeri hurricane is a very good kit that builds up nicely I made it a few years ago and really enjoyed it. There are two versions on sale, one of which is a BOB special. The Airfix 1/48 Hurricane Was a new tool a couple of years ago and has had very good reviews and is also available from several outlets.

 

[SimonT]

Tamiya do one but it is a re-box of the Italeri

 

[topgazza]

I was looking at the Airfix one, either the BOB or the Tropical one. I think thats the safe option for me. Just a shame not really that many available in stock of other makes. I understand the reasons of course, just a shame

 

[Mr Bowcat]

I've just ordered the Fly Models Mk1 for the BoB GB, but it's in 1/32.

 

[stona]

I've just ordered the Fly Models Mk1 for the BoB GB, but it's in 1/32.

That's a fun build, but a good looking model of a Hurricane. I made the Mk II some time ago, I remember particularly enjoying the photo-etch

@Gary, I saw some 1/48 Airfix Hurricanes on Amazon when I was trying to find something else (unsuccessfully).

Cheers

Steve

 

[topgazza]

Thanks Steve.

 

[Mr Bowcat]

That's a fun build, but a good looking model of a Hurricane. I made the Mk II some time ago, I remember particularly enjoying the photo-etch

Yes, despite all the known issues I decided to give one a go anyway.

 

[colin m]

Really strugging to find a quality Hurricane 1/48 model

I haven't built one, but the new tool Airfix gets good reviews.

 

[BarryW]

Really strugging to find a quality Hurricane 1/48 model. Airfix do one and Hasagawa have a 1997 tooled one but no Tamiya or even ICM. For one of the most important panes in WWII thats a disgrace. Sure the Spitfire is more glamourous and rightly so, but the Hurricane was and is a master piece of an aircraft

Try to find one in 1/32 scale

There is the crappy 60’s Revell tooling and a couple of short-run kits with all the problems they present, if you can find one...

Yes, the Hurricane is iconic, one of the most important aircraft from early WW2 and it deserves high quality ‘kitting’ in 1/48 and 1/32

Come on Tamiya, one of your 1/32 ‘Uber’ kits, you know it makes sense and it will sell like hot cakes.

 

[topgazza]

I think it will sell well Barry. In 1/48 for me but a 1/32 in their usual style would be impressive

 

[colin m]

Come on Tamiya, one of your 1/32 ‘Uber’ kits,

I've wondered 'Why not' for a few years now. It's an obvious choice they seem to ignore.

 

[stona]

I've wondered 'Why not' for a few years now. It's an obvious choice they seem to ignore.

I'd buy one, hell, I might even buy two, and I never keep a stash of more than a couple of models. At the moment I have one.

The problem is how many would they sell? I really have no idea, but would expect it to be somewhat less than their Spitfires worldwide. The Hurricane does not have the same wow factor as the Spitfire, which would be relevant outside the UK market, for example selling it in the Asian market (which Tamiya must know well).

Could Tamiya make the investment in the development and tooling for an 'uber' Hurricane kit and still be able to sell it at a price where they could shift enough units? These kits are already costing 100+ quid, which is a lot to most people. Who will buy it at 250 quid?

One thing is certain, the Hurricane is under represented in large scale, which is a shame for such an important and iconic aircraft.

Cheers

Steve

 

[colin m]

I'd buy one, hell, I might even buy two, and I never keep a stash of more than a couple of models. At the moment I have one.

The problem is how many would they sell? I really have no idea, but would expect it to be somewhat less than their Spitfires worldwide. The Hurricane does not have the same wow factor as the Spitfire, which would be relevant outside the UK market, for example selling it in the Asian market (which Tamiya must know well).

Could Tamiya make the investment in the development and tooling for an 'uber' Hurricane kit and still be able to sell it at a price where they could shift enough units? These kits are already costing 100+ quid, which is a lot to most people. Who will buy it at 250 quid?

One thing is certain, the Hurricane is under represented in large scale, which is a shame for such an important and iconic aircraft.

Cheers

Steve

Good point Steve. The Hurricane is a 'bread and butter' aircraft to us, but in the world wide market, probably not. So, ok Tamiya, I'll settle for a 1:48. I know the Airfix is good, but I'm sure even that offering can be improved upon.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Try to find one in 1/32 scale

There is the crappy 60’s Revell tooling and a couple of short-run kits with all the problems they present, if you can find one...

Yes, the Hurricane is iconic, one of the most important aircraft from early WW2 and it deserves high quality ‘kitting’ in 1/48 and 1/32

Come on Tamiya, one of your 1/32 ‘Uber’ kits, you know it makes sense and it will sell like hot cakes.

A model is only crappy if you build it crappy if you have compassionate for the old 60s models you can turn them into real nice ones

 

[BarryW]

A model is only crappy if you build it crappy if you have compassionate for the old 60s models you can turn them into real nice ones

Really? Depends what you want.

If you like lots of sanding, scraping, correcting faults and scratch building you can turn a crappy kit into something. Personally life is too short for that. I prefer well engineered modern kits where I can concentrate on the parts of the processes I most enjoy.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Barry. It depends on what you like and that’s fine to me life not to short to enjoy building sanding and scratch building parts to make a model something it once wasn’t when it was new out of the factory that’s the difference between a builder and a craftsman and that’s ok too

 

[AlanG]

This is the old debate though Barry. Is it more fun buying something that is well engineered, goes together like a glove but costs £150+. Or spend a vastly smaller amount and have fun scratch building/modifying which will probably give far more modelling hours per £ spent. Horses for courses really. Everyone is right in their own approach.

Back on topic though. The Italeri Hurricane is fun to build. Not tried the 'new' Airfix one yet