Brickie's Mail Carrier

[Brickie]

So at Huddersfield I picked up this box:



"Okay", thought I, "didn't know that there were still Hurricanes in frontline service over NW Europe by D-Day. You learn something every day".

There's two kits inside, obviously (but unlike the Airfix Doggy Doubles, no double stand) - we're interested in the Hurri.



Nice thin, clear canopy but the frames are subtle and it'll be a pain to mask or paint.


On the sprue with the cannons is a trop filter, presumably for other boxings.


Only one decal option as per for this type of boxing, and here's why I didn't know there were any Hurricanes in frontline service - there weren't. This is a Hurricane of the Air Letter Dispatch Service which was notable for being essentially the only Hurri in invasion stripes, except for a squadron hack somewhere. So presumably the chances of it ever having actually dogfighted an Fw190 over Normandy are pretty slim...

[lancfan]

This sounds interesting, if this is still available I'll ask the LMS to chase one up for me.

David.

[JohnRatzenberger]

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

[Brickie]

A cockpit:



And closed up:

[Brickie]

Progress so far...





The only source I've been able to find so far on this Air Letter service says the Hurri used "modified torpedo tanks" to carry the mail. I gather from subsequent discussions that what's provided with the kit is what is meant by "Torpedo tanks", but has anyone any idea how they were modified?

[fredk]

I've found one photo showing the tank on an ADLS Hurricane. It is indeed an overload fuel tank. Cant see how its modified; I'd expect just a hinged hatch was cut into it or the rear end cut and hinged [its not the front or strbrd side in my photo] so the bags of mail could be stowed in it.
In the few photos I have none of the ADLS Hurris have cannon fitted.

hth

Lookin good

[lancfan]

Brickie, if you haven't seen them already you will find these ADLS Hurricane shots useful.
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/54 ... g?action=d;
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/54 ... g?action=d;
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/29 ... andard.jpg;


David.

[Brickie]

No, I hadn't - thanks for that.

Looks like the tanks unscrew. I wonder if I could razor-saw the end off one of them and make some mail bags out of something...

[lancfan]

This is an interesting change to what is normally a fighter, I watch with interest and fancy adding one of these to the collection but the kit doesn't seem to be a current release. However, checking out the pictures I have found online it looks like the markings for one of these Hurricanes can be made up from generic aftermarket decals so all may not be lost.


David.

[Brickie]

Good grief, somehow it's the 20th already!

I've been having some paint-adhesion issues, but here's where I am today:

[lancfan]

Looking good Brickie, nearly there.

David.

[Brickie]

Staggered across the line with this one, but it fought me all the way. The paint wouldn't stick, the tail wheel snapped off and disappeared, I managed to get a gluey fingerprint on the canopy, the decals didn't want to go on, and then when I got them on and hit them with a matt coat they started curling up and unpeeling...

[lancfan]

You made it in the end though Brickie, well done. This is the first time I have seen such problems as you have had with Revell decals, I wonder if this was one of the reasons these combat kits are now unavailable. I like the colour scheme, it makes a real change and is another page in the D-Day story.


David.