Hawker Hurricane (oz3395)

About this Plan

Hawker Hurricane. Scale model WWII fighter. Scale is 1/12. For .8cc - 1.5cc power.

Quote: "A detailed 40 in span replica of the famous WWII fighter, for free flight. Hawker Hurricane, by Richard Meixell.

EVEN AFTER 23 YEARS the Hawker Hurricane is well remembered as part of the team that saved England from invasion. The Hurricane and Spitfire fought to maintain air superiority over England in spite of 3 to I, odds against them. No better tribute can ever be paid to all the men and machines involved than Winston Churchill's words: Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

The Hawker hurricane represents the mutation of the biplane into the modern low wing, high speed, multi-gun fighter. Its success must be judged in light of this radical break with tradition and the problems that could have been encountered in such a project. However, even the first test flights were completely successful and a stronger cockpit hood and an anti-spin ventral fin were among the few changes required. Shortly after initial test flights and before any official contract, Hawkers tooled up for Hurricane production with their own money. This example of national responsibility by industry as well as Hawkers' foresight gave the country one of the two weapons that saved England.

The model shown is, 'The last of the many', which is still flying and is representative of the 15,000 Hurricanes built. This was the last Hurricane and was a IIC with four 20 mm canons.

This model is a compromise between a detailed and a sport plane. All outlines are accurate except for dihedral and tail area. A few details have been omitted in the interests of lightness and simplicity. Emphasis has been placed on ease of construction and automatic alignment so that a relatively inexperienced builder should be able to successfully complete the Hurricane. The wing loading is only a little higher than that of a Wakefield model. Completed weight should be about 10 oz.

Wings are conventional structure. Knock off wings are not needed for this size and weight of model. The landing gear is more realistic and no more difficult to build than the music wire variety. The plywood gear fairing forms the anchor for the landing gear and gives a strong practical solution to a potential weak spot. The open wheel wells are very realistic.

The fuselage is built on vertical half shells which assures correct wing and tail alignment as well as lighter and faster construction. The engine is side mounted to give a clean profile and no engine hatches are required. Beam mounted engines may be used. The split wing and tail spars are lighter, just as strong, and have more warp resistance than solid spars.

Construction of the model is quite straightforward but the sequences should be emphasised on some points:

On outer wing panels, block up forward lower spars 1/32 in to allow for LE sheeting. Slide rear spars through ribs before adding this sub-assembly to TE and lower front spar..."

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to DannyM.

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