The Hawker Hurricane was the first monoplane to join the Royal Air Force as a fighter aircraft, capable of reaching speeds in excess of 300-mph in level flight. Often compared with the sleek-looking Supermarine Spitfire, the Hurricane, in actuality, shouldered the brunt of the fighting during the "Battle of Britain", equipping more than three-fifths of the RAF's Fighter Command squadrons. When it lost its edge as a dogfighter in 1941, the Hurricane took on a number of other roles, including ground attack missions and maritime combat air patrols.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a Hurricane Mk. I fighter was piloted by Sub Lt. R. J. Cork, who was attached to 880 NAS, then deployed to Arbroath and St. Merryn, 1941. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-inches
Length: 5-inches

Release Date: July 2010

Historical Account: "Dickie" - The Royal Navy acquired Hurricanes to help in the Battle of the Atlantic which, in early 1940, had a steep rise in shipping losses far from shore, where land-based aircraft could not provide air cover for Allied convoys. This gave rise to the 'Hurricat', a converted Hurricane carried by CAM-ships. Hurricanes converted for such a role needed only the addition of catapult spools, and 50 Hurricane Mk I land-planes were so modified and designated Sea Hurricane Mk IA.

The first of the Hurricanes and Sea Hurricanes to see service with the Fleet Air Arm arrived in February 1941 and were operating with front line unit 880 Squadron from 15th March 1941. Battle of Britain ace 'Dickie' Cork first flew W9220 on 7th April 1941 and continued to do so for several months.

The Sea Hurricane Mk I was followed by about 300 Mk Is converted to Sea Hurricane Mk IB configuration, these having catapult spools plus a V-frame arrester hook; in addition 25 Mk IIA were modified as Sea Hurricane IB or Hooked Hurricane II fighters.