The Hawker Hurricane:
Modeller's Data File 2

A Comprehensive Guide For The Modeler

By Richard A. Franks
SAM Publications, 1999
ISBN 0 9533465 1 X

Reviewed by Tom Cleaver

With the release of his second Modeller's Data File on the Hawker Hurricane, author Richard A. Franks demonstrates that the superb work done on the first one - for the Mosquito - was no fluke. This reviewer particularly likes that the second book deals with the less "glamorous" Hurricane instead of its more notable stablemate, the Spitfire (though I definitely look forward to seeing a future Data File on that subject).

As with the previous Modeller's Data File, this book is aimed at the static scale modeler, and presents much useful information on the Hurricane. For the modeler returning to the hobby who wasn't into aviation history that much as a young teenager, there is a very useful developmental and operational history of the airplane that is quite profusely illustrated with high-quality period photographs. This history also includes the use of the Hurricane by foreign Air Forces, which can provide a modeler with any number of possible inspirations for doing a non-RAF machine. I also liked the listings in the back of the book of all squadrons of all air forces that used Hurricanes and when.

For the modeler who wants to know what is out there kit-wise, there is an exhaustive review of all kits in 1/144. 1/72, 1/48, 1/32 and 1/24 ever released of the Hurricane, with an analysis as to their contemporary usefulness in creating a worthwhile model; running through this chapter alone can save a modeler the price of the book in kits not purchased.

There is the to-be-expected chapter with lots of color close-up photographs of contemporary restored Hurricanes. My only wish here being that they were not so small, but what is lacking in size is made up for in sheer number, with as many different sub-types of Hurricane as the authors could find to photograph.

There is also a chapter with drawings that delineate the various visual differences between Hurricane sub-types, which is very useful for the modeler looking to do a conversion. For anyone wanting to super-detail a Hurricane model, there is a chapter of detail drawings that are works of art in their own right.

Most useful is a very good section of color profiles, mostly of individual aircraft I had not seen profiled before. This was also the location of the only glaring mistake in the book: in the section that explains the differences between the "A" and "B" camouflage schemes, the upper plan views show the same "B" scheme for both. In the overall scheme of things this is not a major bad point, however.

Also of use is the very comprehensive set of reviews of the aftermarket items and decals available for Hurricane models, mostly in 1/72 and 1/48.

Overall, if Richard Franks and SAM publications continue this series at the same high standard they have demonstrated first with the Mosquito book and now with this Data File on the Hurricane, modelers everywhere will be in their debt. This is an excellent resource and highly recommended.