**** DONE: 1/48 Hurricane MkIIc - Mediterranean Theatre of Operations

[Crimea_River]

Username: Crimea River
First name: Andy
Category: Judge – Non competing
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Hobbycraft
Model Type: Hurricane MkIIB, IIC, IID
Aftermarket addons: Squadron Vac Form Canopy, Flightdecs Decals

The subject of this build will be Hurricane MkIIc AK-U, s/n BE643 of 213 Squadron based at Edku, Egypt 1942

 

[Crimea_River]

The Pilot

213 Squadron Hurricane MkIIc s/n BE643 coded AK-U is reported to have been flown by FO Bert Houle, RCAF, DFC+Bar. Bert graduated with an Engineering degree from the University of Toronto in the 1936. I did the same in 1981 so I've always had an eye out to build a model using one of Bert's aircraft as a subject. He flew the MkII Hurricanes with 213 Squadron and Spitfire IXs in 417 Squadron. He ended the war with 13 victories and continued his career postwar with the RCAF until he retired in 1965. Bert Houle passed away in 2008 at the age of 94. More on Bert Houle and his career here: Slipping the Surly Bonds - the Bert Houle story > Vintage Wings of Canada

The Squadron (stolen from Wiki)

Formed originally from the Seaplane Defence Flight, which was itself founded in June 1917 at Dunkirk, it was reorganized as No. 13 Squadron RNAS on 15 January 1918. As the SDF, it operated Sopwith Pups. When the Royal Naval Air Service merged with the Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, it was renumbered as 213 Squadron.[4] In this incarnation, it flew Sopwith Baby floatplanes and transitioned to Sopwith Camels. It was during this time that the squadron derived its Hornet insignia and motto for the squadron badge, after overhearing a Belgian General refer to the squadron's defence of his trenches, "Like angry hornets attacking the enemy aircraft". The Hornet became affectionately known as "Crabro," latin for hornet. The squadron's official motto became, "Irritatus Lacessit Crabro" (The Hornet Attacks When Roused). In March 1919 the squadron went back to the UK where it disbanded on 31 December 1919.

The squadron was reformed on 8 March 1937 flying Gauntlet IIs, converting to Hurricanes in January 1939 and flew throughout the war. It participated as part of the British Expeditionary Force; then at Dunkirk; the Battle of Britain and finally in the Middle East as part of the Desert Air Force. It also flew Spitfires and P-51 Mustangs.

After the war, the squadron remained in the Middle East, first flying Hawker Tempests and then De Havilland Vampires. It was stationed at Deversoir in the Suez Canal Zone from October 1948 till its disbandment there on 30 September 1954.
With Bomber Command to RAF Germany

The squadron reformed once again on 1 September 1955 as an English Electric Canberra squadron, specialising in low level interdiction missions. It was the only squadron to fly the Canberra B(I).6 variant, still with the "Crabro" insignia adorning the tail fin, first from RAF Ahlhorn and later form RAF Bruggen, while a detachment was for a short time in 1956 stationed at Valkenburg Naval Air Base in the Netherlands. The squadron finally disbanded on 31 December 1969.

The Hornet (from 213SquadronAssociation)

One of the things that attracted me to this scheme was the very unique placement of the squadron's "Crabro" in the center of the fuselage roundel on some of its aircraft. Tracking down decals took a while but I finally managed to locate a set for a very reasonable price from "Flightdecs"

The Kit

Although Hobbycraft's kits are often maligned, their MkII Hurricane, though basic, is reported to build up into a fairly decent looking model. The kit that I'm using is their "Nightraider" kit which has enough accoutrements to build either a B, C, pr D version, though some rescribing is apparently needed to accurately portray the B or D. The decals were rubbish and they were sent to the landfill long ago. A PE fret is supplied and contains framing and other pieces to enhance the cockpit area, though I'm not yet sure if I will use these. I'll likely make the tubular frames myself using the PE frames as templates. The clear canopy parts won't be used either as I'll use some Squadron vac formed replacements which will work much better for an open cockpit depiction. That's the plan. The rest I'll make up as I go.

 

[fubar57]

First out of the gate and and interesting subject.

Geo

 

[destrozas]

Nice choose Andy.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Donivanp]

This Andy I shall want to see, I love the Hurricane.

 

[JKim]

Great choice Andy! I've always loved that RAF Desert Scheme with the Azure Blue!

 

[Micdrow]

Hum, I wonder, I think I have seen a picture of this some where Andy, If I find it I will post it for you.

 

[Micdrow]

Sorry not the best quality but still looking.

 

[fubar57]

Same photo I had Paul.

Geo

 

[javlin]

I need to build another Hurri Andy should be a good looking build.

 

[Crimea_River]

Beauty Paul! I was having trouble finding a picture of this rig and appreciate you posting that. Seems there's not much out there for this squadron.

 

[Wurger]

 

[imalko]

Cool choice mate.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Nice one Andy, I have been thinking of doing a Mk I out of Luqa, we will see.

 

[Crimea_River]

Thanks guys. I added a bunch more info for this project in post #2. If anyone has more on this particular aircraft please share!

 

[ozhawk40]

Interesting subject Andy, I'll see how this goes.

 

[JKim]

Please highlight your work with vac canopy. I've always wondered what the advantages/disadvantages of using vacuum formed clear parts are.

 

[Crimea_River]

John, in this case, I bought the vac form canopy because the Hobbycraft clear parts are quite thick. For an open pit, the sliding frame would have looked pretty bad. The thinner section of the vac formed canopy should look much more like the actual canopy which was pretty thin in reality.

 

[dneid]

Gotta love the Hurricane. As always, I am looking forward to watching you and your magic, Andy.