The Little World

I was surprised as I could be to see a set of markings on an Australian 1:72 decal sheet that were purported to be for a Hawker Hurricane. I thought the RAAF never had them here in Australia. As it turned out, I was nearly right – they had one.

The plane, V7476 was sent to Australia in 1941 as a trial aircraft. It served in a number of experimental, publicity, and training roles. The RAAF toyed with the idea of ordering 50 of them but were offered other planes and had the request for these refused. Note that the RCAF had a damned hard time keeping some of the ones that were made in Canada in North America as fighter defence.

Well, V7476 seems to have had a number of paint schemes but I intend to opt for a foliage green and light blue one as being characteristic for this part of the world. The decals are good quality and very simple. And I have a place marked for it in the Air World museum.

The basic kit is good old Hobby Boss – no difference to the Canadian Hurricane I built some time ago except this time I get to use the propeller spinner and the tropical chin filter. The kit’s decals are quite nice and the call-out for 34 Sqn in India is attractive in it’s own right. Who knows if I might do another one some day to accompany the Canucks Unlimited Dakota and the SEAC Liberator…

But enough for the time being. This time I do not foul up the paint work…I hope.