Arma Hobby 1/48 40015 Hawker Hurricane Mk1 RAF WW2 Fighter Kit
The kit represents the later Mk I variant with metal wings, as flown during the Battle of Britain and in subsequent campaigns. The fuselage, wings, radiator, and propellers have been designed from scratch to ensure exceptional accuracy and rich surface detail. The cockpit and canopy sprues, taken from our acclaimed Hurricane Mk IIb, complement the new parts to create a model that combines proven engineering with newly tooled components.
The Hawker Hurricane Mk I was one of the key Royal Air Force fighters at the outset of World War II and the first of the RAF’s modern designs to feature a retractable undercarriage and enclosed cockpit. Although it was based on a largely traditional structure — a welded steel-tube frame covered with fabric — the aircraft successfully combined proven construction methods with contemporary aerodynamics. Early production variants were fitted with fabric-covered wings and a fixed-pitch two-blade wooden propeller, but these were soon replaced by metal wings, three-blade variable-pitch propellers (such as de Havilland and Rotol types), and minor equipment updates, including an additional access panel on the starboard side of the fuselage. Power came from a Rolls-Royce Merlin II or III engine producing around 1,030–1,300 hp, giving the Hurricane a top speed of over 500 km/h (310 mph). The aircraft was simpler and cheaper to build and maintain than the Spitfire, which allowed the RAF to field large numbers quickly — a decisive advantage during the Battle of Britain in 1940. While the Spitfire took on the German fighters, it was the Hurricane that destroyed the majority of Luftwaffe bombers, forming the backbone of Britain’s air defence. After the Battle of Britain, the Hurricane Mk I was gradually replaced by the improved Mk II version equipped with the more powerful Merlin XX engine, a longer fuselage, and heavier armament. Earlier Mk I aircraft were reassigned to fighter-bomber, coastal defence, and training duties. Despite being overshadowed by newer designs, the Hurricane Mk I remains an enduring symbol of RAF resilience and effectiveness during one of the most critical periods of the war.