Aeroplane Heaven MK1 Hawker Hurricane

The Hawker Hurricane saw service with the British Expeditionary Force in the dark years of 1938 and 1939. A very different machine to the one that was to fight the Battle of Britain, early Hurricanes sported fabric wings and a two-blade wooden propeller. Following the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940, many improvements were made to the Hawker design from lessons learned in combat with the new German Messerschmitts.

Not the least of these was the fitting of a 3-blade variable pitch, constant speed propeller. This would come from Rotol or DeHavilland, depending on supplies available at the time of manufacture.

Improvements were made to the Merlin power plant and greater protection for the pilot came in the form of armoured windscreens and heavy armour plating behind the seat.

Wings were now skinned in metal and improved radio equipment was installed in the fuselage.

The rugged design had proved itself over and over in the Battle for France and it could take enormous punishment. This was due mainly to the fabric covering of the fuselage which was retained and allowed high velocity cannon shells to pass through without inflicting damage to critical components. The eight Browning machine guns, built under license by BSA, stayed as the standard armament of the Hurricane Mk1.

Lacking the “cleaner” look of the cockpit of its counterpart, the Spitfire, the Hurricane’s “office” appeared cluttered and had no floor so that the complex framework was exposed. A legacy of the bi-plane heritage of Hawker’s design. Curiously, it never changed, even in later versions.

The Hawker Hurricane was to prove more than competent in destroying enemy bombers but lacked the performance and agility of the German fighters, especially at higher altitudes. That said, and contrary to popular belief, it was the Hurricane that was responsible for the lion’s share of “kills” in the Battle of Britain.

Exterior features

• High fidelity modeling with unprecedented details
• Full PBR (Physical – Based – Rendering) textures (P3DV4.5)
• Complete, finely- detailed and authentic Merlin engine under removable covers
• Detailed Browning Machine Guns under removable cover
• Choice of exhaust stacks (“fishtail”or round profile, depending on configuration of prop)
• Choice of propellers and spinners – Rotol or DeHavilland
• Jettisonable canopy using the correct lever in the cockpit.
• Unique evocative Battle of Britain standing pilot figure (Optional via switch)
• Authentic refueling bowser truck
• Correct remote battery starting cart
• Exhaust flames on startup
• Retractable tail-hook and catapult bobbins on the Sea Hurricane.
• Separate “restored” model with modern pilot.
• Animated, authentic RAF WW2 pilot and Modern “Air display”pilot with helmet visor and oxy mask (in restored version.)

Interior features

• Highly authentic, fully detailed cockpit finished in full PBR materials and textures (P3DV4.5)
• All switches, levers and controls fully functional
• Correct landing light controls with “dipping” control lever and three-way switch (left or right selectable)
• Working, authentic dual-action lever for flaps and landing gear.
• Accurate tail-hook controls will latch and lock the Sea Hurricane hook when deployed.
• Separate “late model” interior as installed in the “restored”version
• Collimated gunsight reticle
• Working rea-view mirror (P3DV4 only)
• Systems include engine overheat and failure
• Functional 2-stage supercharger (on restored and Sea Hurricane versions)
• Functional boost cut-out.
• Authentic working “auto”mixture control
• Choice of engine-driven or manual hydraulics pump.
• Authentic flight dynamics, stereo sound package and a full suite of special effects are included.

Multiple authentic liveries

• V6864 DT-A Flown by Squadron Leader Robert “Bob” Stanford-Tuck, 257 Squadron RAF Coltishall, 1940
• P3576 GN-A Flown by Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson, 249 Squadron RAF Leconfield, Yorkshire August 1940.
• P2921 GZ-L Flown by (then) acting Flight Leader “Pete” Brothers, 32 Squadron RAF Biggin Hill 1940
• R4175 RF-R Flown by Czechoslovak pilot Josef Frantisek RAFVR 303 Squadron (Warsaw) RAF September 1940.
• V7357 SD-F Flown by FltSgt J.H. “Ginger” Lacy 501 Squadron RAF Gravesend September 1940.
• P2923 VY-R Flown by PO Albert Lewis 85 Squadron RAF Castle Camps (Debden) July 1940.
• P2725 TM-B Flown by Flight Lieutenant Raymond T Holmes 504 Squadron RAF .
• P3675 UF-S Flown by Flight Lieutenant Michael “Mike” Robinson 601 Squadron RAF Exeter 1940.
• R4118 UP-W Flown by Various pilots of 605 Squadron RAF Drem 17th August 1940.
• R4118 RESTORED.
• V7467 LE-D Flown by Squadron Leader Douglas Bader 242 Squadron RAF Coltishall 1940.
• Professional quality paint kit (available after product launch).