Another desert warrior. For a significant period of time the Hurricane was THE key British fighter serving in North Africa until sufficient Spitfires arrived in theater.
Join me a brief look at a Hurricane that served during that transition period.
The last major change for Hawker’s Hurricane was the addition of the Merlin XX series engine in late 1940. That is the difference going from Mark I to Mark II. No surprise, this upgrade was almost wholly about adding power.
I chose this subject for its colorful markings. The large fuselage flash was against wartime RAF regulations, but 73 Squadron had a long history they were proud of. And since they were a long way from home, they flew with the markings in defiance of orders.
Several significant tweaks occurred during Mark II production. The first Mark IIa was armed the same as the Mark I. But the Mark IIb wing added some more options. It was delivered with 12 .303 mg and had a hard point under each wing. Apparently Hawker recommended removing two machine guns from each wing when carrying external stores, but this was often not done. Twelve light machine guns could put out a lot of bullets; but these were all light caliber with limited penetration ability. So the next variant, the Mark IIc switched to four 20 mm cannon; and later yet the Mark IId carried two 40 mm cannon for a meaningful anti-armor punch.
But today we’re looking at a Mark IIb. This is the Hasegawa kit with Third Group decals and represents a plane that served late in the North Africa campaign with 73 Squadron. The 12 machine guns seen here could cause serious mayhem among troops and soft skinned vehicles. With more Spitfires the Hurricane switched almost exclusively to that sort of work.
A look at a Hurricane Mk I alongside a Mk IIb trop. The cowling is a little longer for the XX series engine, the tropical dust filter under the nose was a requirement for North Africa operations. The two addition .303 mg were added outboard of the four .303 in the earlier plane.
The only way to taxi in the desert!
A view the armament. Six (!) .303 in each wing.
Plane Dave 
I am so sorry Dave. I will have to reblog this post.
My favourite airplane which brings fond memories of the 60s.
Hey I’m not sorry, that’s awesome!
Why does this remind you of the ’60s?
Just building planes…
Reblogged this on My Forgotten Hobby and commented:
My favourite airplane which brings fond memories of the 60s.
Mine was Monogram Hawker Hurricane II with multiple versions.
Oh yeah I’ve built that kit a few times!
In fact, it was the first airplane I ever built. So now I get your ;60s quip!
And I would play with it… just a little.
I seem to recall running around the house making engine and machine gun sounds too…
Still having fun…
https://forgottenhobby.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/my-boneyard/
Without question my favourite version of the Hurricane. You really have done it justice Dave. It looks extremely professionally finished. Great work. Rich. This email has been sent from a virus-free computer protected by Avast. http://www.avast.com
Thanks Rich.
Yeah I love it’s purposeful look. It was built to cause mayhem.
A lovely finish Dave
Thank you AT!
A wonderfully made kit. I’m sure that, from certain angles, I can see a few grains of desert sand…
Oh yeah! And from a few other angles you can see gaps and misaligned parts! But I like your version much better.