40016 Hurricane Mk I trop 1/48.

Hawker Hurricane Mk I trop – Arma Hobby 1/48

ALL-NEW MOULDS 2025

Arma Hobby presents a completely new Hawker Hurricane Mk I trop kit in 1/48 scale. The Hurricane earned its place in history during operations in North Africa, over Malta, and in East Africa. The trop version represents an aircraft adapted to harsh climates, featuring the characteristic dust filter.

Key features

• All-new moulds (2025) – fuselage, wings, radiator and propellers
• Highly detailed cockpit and clear-parts sprue, proven in the Hurricane Mk IIb kit
• Accurately reproduced panel lines and riveting
• Build options for the standard or tropical configuration
• High-quality decals with historic RAF and SAAF markings
• Quality at least as high as the acclaimed Hurricane Mk IIb 1/48 – with even more detail included

What’s in the box?

• 4 plastic sprues (including 2 brand-new)
• Detailed assembly instructions in Polish and English (also available online)
• Masks for canopy and wheels
• Code to download a 3D accessory file:
  • pilot’s seat with harness
  • exhaust stacks
  • (the accessory list may be expanded)
• Decal sheet with 3 marking options

Marking options

• Hurricane Mk I trop P2638, No. 274 Squadron RAF, Gerawala – April–May 1941
• Hurricane Mk I trop P3731, 418 Flight, HMS Argus, Operation Hurry, 2 August 1940; later No. 261 Squadron RAF, Malta 1940–41
• Hurricane Mk I trop, serial no. 284, code letter J, No. 3 Squadron SAAF, Kenya 1941. On this aircraft, Lt. Robert Kershaw rescued his commanding officer, Cpt. John Frost, who had been shot down near Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), and evacuated him back to base (15 March 1941).

Hawker Hurricane Mk I Trop – historical overview

The Hawker Hurricane Mk I in its tropical configuration was an adaptation of the early production Hurricanes for operations in conditions of high temperature, dust, and intense sunlight. The most distinctive feature of the tropical version was the Vokes air filter mounted under the engine cowling, protecting the powerplant from dust and sand. Its use affected performance, but significantly improved reliability in harsh climatic conditions. Along with the filter, minor operational changes and equipment adjustments were introduced. One example was the addition of ventilation openings on the side of the fuselage below the cockpit, introduced during production of the tropical variant.

The Hurricane Mk I Trop retained the typical early armament of eight .303 in (7.69 mm) machine guns in the wings.

Operational service

The Hurricane Mk I Trop was used operationally from 1940 in the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and East Africa, including Malta, Kenya, and Ethiopia, where it took part both in fighter operations and in escort and support duties. Aircraft of this version participated in the first fighter deliveries to Malta from aircraft carriers and in the African campaign of the RAF and SAAF. From 1941, the Hurricane Mk I Trop was gradually replaced by the newer Hurricane Mk IIb and Mk IIc variants, offering greater firepower and improved performance, though it remained in service alongside the newer versions for some time.

Camouflage

In the early period, Mk I Trop aircraft often retained the standard Temperate Land Scheme camouflage (Dark Green / Dark Earth), which in desert conditions was sometimes field-repainted. Most commonly, the Dark Green areas were replaced with the colour later known as Mid Stone, applied directly over the existing surfaces. During this period, the undersurfaces appeared in several colour variants, depending on time, location, and unit.