Internet Modeler : New Releases : Aviation RSS News Feed

3D-Kits 1/72 Hurricane Mk.IID Conversion

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

The Hurricane Mk.IID was introduced in 1942 to counter Axis armor. Not only was the Mk.IID armed with 40mm S guns, but it also had one each (in each wing) of .303" Brownings. With this armament it was capable of destroying any Axis armor, upto the German Tiger.

The Conversion Set

The 3D-Kits 1/72 Hurricane Mk.IID conversion set consists of two 40mm S guns, their fairings and two 40mm ammunition box, if wanting to display in a diorama, etc. The plastic injected pieces are extremely well done, and looks excellent on the sprue. The gun is very well done, and the only thing you'll want to do to it is drill out the barrel to be more realistic.

You'll defintiely want to follow the instructions with this set. Not only does it show/tell you the changes necessary to mount the 40mm guns, but it also shows where to drill for the .303s, as well as what detail to remove from the donor kit. If your donor kit is the new-tool Airfix kit, then you won't have to worry abotu creating a hole to accept the guns as it already exists in the mold. If you're using these with any other kit, then follow the instructions to drill the accepting hole.

One thing with the conversion set. If you don't want to add the cowls for the 40mm guns you don't have to. Extra instructions available on the 3D-Kits' website shows how this is done. An excellent choice.

There are decals for three aircraft, printed in register by Fantasy Printshop. However, the only decals provided are for each specific aircraft and none of the common markings are provided, 3D-Kits recommending using those from the donor kit. The three marking options are:

6 Sqn, Gabes, Tunisia, April 1943. Dark earth over mid-stone with azure blu undersurfaces
6 Sqn, North Africa, August 1943. BN795 was donated to the RAF by the moth of Wing Commander J W Gillan.
1st Specialized Low Attack Instructors School, Milfield, Northumberland, 1943, finished in Dark Green over Mid Gray.

This is an excellent - and easy - conversion to turn any 1/72 Hurricane Mk.IIC into a Mk.IID.

Huge thanks to 3D-Kits for supplying the review sample. Be sure to visit their site for more, downloadable instructions to help with this conversion.