Sea Hurricane Mk IB

Arma Hobby kit review

Arma Hobby steadily expands its 1:72 scale range with new Hawker Hurricane variants. This time it’s the “proper” naval Mk.Ib type. Let’s check it out.

Disclaimer

The review sample was kindly provided by the manufacturer. Thanks, Arma Hobby.

Kit contents

On the side-opening box marked with the catalogue number 70061, in addition to an attractive boxart illustration, there is also a note: “3D printed parts included”.

So inside one will find not only plastic sprues, a decal sheet, self-adhesive masks and instruction manual, but also parts made with 3D printing technology. I emphasise – parts, not accessories. The included 3D prints are essential for building the naval version.

So in fact we get a standard Hurricane Mk.I model (metal wing) with a conversion to Mk.Ib sea variant. A conversion which, unfortunately, requires some substantial altering of the plastic.

3D prints

The kit's plastic sprues appeared on the market back in 2018 (see review), so let's start our closer inspection with a look at something considerably newer and, in my opinion, more interesting – the prints announced on the box.

The main attraction here is the fuselage bottom section, the use of which requires cutting out corresponding area from the plastic halves. The replacement makes a pretty good impression, although it is slightly warped.

The other components of the conversion are not so invasive, it is enough to glue them in the appropriate places of the airframe. This is well illustrated by the renderings provided by the manufacturer, where the printed parts are marked in colour.

Modifications of the airframe, renders (Arma Hobby)

The exhausts, with nicely marked exit holes, look excellent. These come in two variants, so another Hurricane can also be upgraded with the remaining bits from the build.

A number of minor details were also printed, including the rear-view mirror, exhaust shields and pilot's headrest. The following rendering, which shows all the elements made using this technology, sums it up.

All conversion components, a render (Arma Hobby)

It all looks quite nice, although some may be put off by the perspective of slicing up the fuselage (along the panel lines, but still).

Plastic

Plastic sprues, as I mentioned earlier, are the same familiar mouldings of the land-based Mk.I variant. Fuselage with nicely indicated sagging of the fabric covered sections.

On which, in addition to the fine, recessed panel lines, there is also a handful of raised details.

The rudder was designed as a single part with the vertical stabiliser. This is in contrast to the elevator, which is a separate component (and is the only control surface that we can tilt "out of the box").

On the horizontal stabiliser, in addition to a finely defined fabric sagging, there are also a minor plastic sink marks visible on one side.

A similar flaw is also present on the radiator.

The propeller is constructed from individual blades, which fortunately have small mounting tabs that make it easier to get the correct geometry of the assembly. Two types of blades, three spinners, but this time you don't have to choose anything – only de Havilland comes into play.

Cockpit details are hinted on the fuselage halves' inner surfaces.

There are various elements to be fitted in between those, such as the structural frame’s fragments.

The rear armour is notable for the traces of the mould making process.

The control devices, as is typical of plastic ones, do not impress with their thickness.

The same goes for the pilot's seat (without the straps, these only come in the form of decals) and instruments panel. The latter mainly due to the slight sinking of the plastic in the centre.

Wings, on the other hand, look quite nice – with thin trailing edges and nice, if few, raised details. Although the small sink marks at the wing-fuselage fairing slightly spoils the overall impression.

On the bottom attention is drawn to the middle section of the wing, to which, among other things, the radiator housing need to be attached.

On the inside of the wing's upper half one finds the beginning of the main landing gear bay, which is further complemented by a number of structural elements.

Plus, of course – landing gears.

And covers.

The whole thing is completed by wheels with visible “Dunlop” branding on the tyres. And of course the tailwheel, let's not forget about it.

On the plastic sprue we can also find, among other things, exhausts, but as the printed ones are of far better quality – there is no need to discuss them any further.

„Glass”

The transparent sprue contains mainly the cockpit glazing elements, of quite good transparency. Windscreen.

And two variants of the sliding section – depending on whether you want to make a miniature with a closed or open cockpit.

In addition to this, there was also room for a few more minor details of the aircraft lighting.

Masks

Two sheets of self-adhesive masks are included in the kit. The one cut in the familiar and well-liked yellow paper will help with painting both the cabin glazing and the undercarriage wheels.

It took me a good while to find out what we were supposed to protect with the additional vinyl stickers. The answer is – nothing. These are panels (!) to be applied on the flaps' inner parts (which, by the way, further assembly drawings completely ignore).

Quite an unusual concept, which I don't fully understand.

Decals

Techmod was responsible for printing of the markings sheet and, as usual, the result looks quite neat.

Colours are uniform and saturated, with no offsets or other flaws.

Finely printed stencils leave nothing to complain about.

I will complain about the belts in that form, though. I don't like it at all, and it is unfortunately the only option available “out of the box”.

Assembly manual

The booklet guiding us through the construction process is typical of this manufacturer. Nice and clear assembly drawings, sprinkled here and there with some additional remarks.

Suggested paints compiled in a table format.

Colour profiles of machines that can be made from the kit, on which the decal placement is also pointed out.

Only main markings though – stencils were apparently forgotten about.

Painting options

Little Hurricane can be made in one of five schemes, which are as usual hinted on the back of the box. Those are.

Sea Hurricane Mk.Ib, Z7153 “F”, No. 801 Naval Air Squadron, aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, Operation Pedestal, August 1942.