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Royal Air Force · Battle of Britain, Desert Air Force & Sea Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane

Mk.I / Mk.II / Sea Hurricane · RAF & Fleet Air Arm · 1937–1945

The Hawker Hurricane was the rugged workhorse of Fighter Command: fabric-and-metal construction, wide-track undercarriage, heavy service wear and huge modelling variety from Battle of Britain brown/green schemes to desert, naval and Soviet lend-lease subjects.

32+
BoB units
60%
BoB claims
8×.303
Mk.I guns
9+
Theatres

Hawker Hurricane model kit guide

A focused Hawker Hurricane model kit guide for WW2 aircraft modellers, covering RAF paint colours, Battle of Britain squadrons, tropical Hurricane schemes, aircraft markings, kit options, aftermarket parts and real squadron stories.

RAF paint coloursHurricane kits & aftermarketAircraft weathering techniques

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Hawker Hurricane build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: RAF / Fleet Air Arm. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
RAF fabric/metal tonal variationSubtle panels and fabric surfacesBase + lightened mixBase + lightened mixBase + lightened mixBase + lightened mix
RAF Dark GreenUpper camouflage greenTamiya XF-81Vallejo 71.324AK RC286Mr Hobby H330
RAF Dark Earth / Ocean GreyChoose by period: early temperate or later day fighterXF-52 / XF-8271.323 / 71.273AK RC287 / RC289H72 / H335
Sky / Medium Sea GreyUnderside by period and aircraftXF-21 / XF-8371.302 / 71.307AK RC291 / RC289H74 / H335
Interior Grey-GreenCockpit and internal areasXF-7171.305AK RC293H312
Night / tyre blackProp blades, tyres, night undersides where relevantXF-6971.057AK RC022H12
AluminiumChipping, landing gear and metallic detailsLP-1177.701AK Xtreme Metal AluminiumSM201
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringExhausts, stains, guns, tyres and oil dirtXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Model Air Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

RAF Hurricane operations · 1937–1945

The Hurricane served as interceptor, night fighter, fighter-bomber, tank-buster, naval fighter and overseas workhorse. For modellers, the key is choosing the exact theatre and mark before deciding on fabric wing, metal wing, tropical filter, naval equipment or rocket/cannon fit.

32+BoB units
1Pilot
8×.303Mk.I guns
460 miRange
Hawker Hurricane illustrative reconstruction
Illustrative Hurricane reconstruction: use real walkaround/media cards for exact detail, but this gives RAF dispersal, camouflage and operational atmosphere.

Role & strengths

  • RAF interceptor and bomber destroyer
  • Rugged, stable gun platform
  • Wide-track undercarriage and fabric rear fuselage
  • Excellent desert, naval and overseas modelling routes
  • Strong squadron-code and ace-story options

Key theatres

  • Battle of Britain
  • North Africa and Malta
  • Arctic convoys and Sea Hurricane operations
  • Burma, India and Soviet lend-lease

Specification Mk.I

Crew1Length32 ft 3 inWingspan40 ftMax speed316 mphRange460 milesArmamentEight .303 Browning machine guns

Survivors today

Hurricane survivor reference

Surviving Hurricanes are especially useful for fabric/metal contrast, wide undercarriage stance, radiator shape, cockpit framing and restrained RAF weathering.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this Hurricane as…

Pick the modelling route first. The Hurricane changes dramatically by theatre: fabric/metal wings, tropical filters, naval hooks, cannon wings, rockets and desert finish all matter.

Aircraft identity

◎RAF roundel
✦Merlin
▥Fabric rear
▵Wide gear
☀Desert filter
⚓Sea Hurricane
Wing warning

Early fabric-wing Hurricanes and later metal-wing aircraft weather differently. Check the subject before adding panel lines or chipping.

Weathering warning

Do not weather a Hurricane like a Spitfire. Fabric areas fade and dirty differently; metal wing roots and gun access panels take sharper wear.

Paint scheme cards

Battle of BritainDark Earth / Dark Green / Sky

Core 1940 Fighter Command finish. Match roundels, spinner and underside date carefully.

Early warBlack / white to Sky underside

Very useful for early Hurricanes. Check exact aircraft, wing type and date before painting.

DesertMiddle Stone / Dark Earth / Azure

Desert Hurricanes show dust, sun fading, filter grime and rough field repairs.

NavalFAA temperate sea finishes

Sea Hurricanes need hook/spool details, naval markings and salt-weathered finishes.

Campaign cards

Battle of Britain

Use 1, 32, 56, 85, 111, 242, 303, 501 or 605 Squadron references. Focus on RAF codes, Sky underside and fabric/metal wear.

North Africa

Tropical filters, dust abrasion, sun-faded camouflage and rough forward-strip maintenance make strong modelling subjects.

Sea Hurricane convoys

Carrier/CAM ship context adds naval hooks, catapult spools, salt staining and unusual markings.

Burma and Soviet service

High wear, mud, heat, improvised repairs and alternative markings give late-service variety.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

Moderate. Shape is forgiving, but wing type, radiator, propeller and theatre fit require research.

Research difficulty

High. Fabric wing, metal wing, naval and desert fits are easy to mix up.

Weathering risk

Medium-high. Fabric and metal areas must not be weathered the same way.

Paint codesRAF MAP coloursTechniqueFabric vs metal weatheringArticleHurricane kit and weathering guides

RAF Hurricane squadrons and units

Sortable Hurricane unit cards covering key Battle of Britain, desert, naval and overseas modelling routes. Click a card for markings, base context and modeller notes.

Theatre:Sort:

Hurricane operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked Hurricane unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

Hurricane build guide

Kit choice wizard

Hurricane videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.