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Warbirds
Productions ¶¶¶¶¶ Reviewed by In this review, we will examine the new 1/32nd scale Hurricane Mk IIC correction set from Warbirds Productions. This set is best used with the Revell Hurricane Mk IIC. Unfortunately, Revell didn't capture the correct outline in the Mk IIC release, failing to extend the nose forward. This new conversion set comes with 21 resin pieces and a highly detailed set of plans. Vasko Barbic of Warbirds Productions used an existing Mk IIC in the UK and accurate 1/8th scale drawings for the armament as references.
The resin casting is among the very best I have seen from Warbirds to date. Upon opening the box, the most obvious component is the single, solid resin nose section. It is cast in grey resin, as are all other items, with no flaws. Closer examination shows no pinholes with all panel lines and fasteners being perfectly scribed. Exhaust stacks are molded separately.
Warbirds supplies a new three-piece resin radiator to be mounted under the fuselage. This is a replacement for the poor parts in the kit. The radiator is nicely detailed and some effective dry brushing will surely enhance all the visible screen details.
Overall, I am very impressed with this new conversion set and I recommend it without reservation. The casting is flawless and attention given to detail is evident. It is nice to finally see some attention given to the 1/32nd scale Revell Hurricane from the aftermarket community. I am looking forward to further details sets for this kit from Warbirds UK and Warbirds US. Review Sample Compliments of Warbirds US © Mark Proulx 2003 |
A
very large set of plans (not shown) is included with the set. They
are drawn to 1/32nd scale. These plans confirmed my suspicions that
the 1/32nd scale Revell Hurricane is very accurate in outline; it
matches the plans almost perfectly. The instructions give precise
cutting locations on the fuselage, enabling one to graft on the replacement
resin nose. The Mk IIC wings will also require some changes. The plans
detail proper scribing locations so the modeler can accurately represent
this canon-armed version of the Hurricane.
Vasko identified two types of propellers blades that were commonly
used by the Mk IIC. He chose to include the more popular one. A number
of clear photos were used as references when creating the masters.
The assembly includes three blades, spinner and backplate. The later
two require the removal of small casting blocks. The spinner is very
thin and may not stand up to abuse, so careful attention should be
given when removing the casting block. Like the other pieces in the
set, all surface details are scribed. 
A
new resin instrument panel is also supplied. All the instrument bezels
are raised, with no cast instrument details. I am sure an exacting
replica of a Mk IIC panel will result with the addition of Waldron
instruments!
The
wings of the Mk IIC are different from the Mk I. This was dictated
by the fact that cannons now armed the aircraft. The Revell MK IIC
does include the cannon bulges on the upper wings. However, the panel
lines and access covers are very different from the Mk I wing, which
they overlooked. Pay careful consideration to the plans, and rescribe
the wings. Four cannons are included, and they are quite an improvement
to the kit parts. 
The
last items to examine are the resin cast landing gear. This includes
accurately detailed gear doors and wheel assemblies. The wheels are
the four-spoked variety. Subtle details such as valve stems and lug
nuts are quite visible. They are not flattened and bulged, which is
often overstated by so many other manufacturers. The tail wheel is
the "knuckle" type as commonly found on the Mk IIC. It is
cast in resin, which is my only concern with this entire conversion.
I am not sure how it will stand up over time given the fragility of
resin. The gear doors are perfectly scaled with surface details and
rivet pattern nicely recessed. The details on the inner surfaces match
photos in Aero Detail on the Hawker Hurricane.
