The Hawker Hurricane Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

A Battle of Britain icon enjoys full “Valiant Wings” treatment in the 16th installment of the publisher’s superb “Airframe & Miniature” range.

Ably authored and edited by Richard A. Franks, The Hawker Hurricane – A Complete Guide To The Famous Fighter spans 272 pithy pages across nine chunky chapters:

• Evolution – Prototype & Mk I
• Evolution – Mk II to & Mk V
• Sea Hurricane & Canadian Production
• Reconnaissance Versions
• Camouflage & Markings
• Hurricane Kits
• Building a Selection
• Building a Collection
• The Hurricane “In Detail”

In “Airframe” sections, Franks competently chronicles the design, development, deployment, and disposition of all project, prototype, and production Hurricane variants.

Hawker’s legendary fighter remains a perennially popular model subject. And “Miniature” coverage lists current kits to all popular scales – and includes several rousing model builds by Libor Jekl and Steve A. Evans.

Looking to sex your own project choice? At least 27 pages of isometric drawings graphically and completely chart Hurricane evolution.

Hundreds more pretty pictures spice Valiant Wings’ sumptuous smorgasbord.

Period photos. Preserved aircraft. Tech-manual excerpts. Internal details. External close-ups. Scale drawings. Artwork. And more.

Seeking striking subjects for your next miniature masterpiece?

Richard J. Caruana’s color plates – profiles, plan views, unit badges, personal markings, and code styles – provide potent project input. Markings fans will especially love his one-stop, one-page Hurricane RAF insignia and stencil guide – with official dimensions. 

Four appendices complete coverage:

• “Legacy” Kits
• Accessories
• Decals & Masks
• References

Prop to rudder. Tip to tip. Inside and out. This magnificent monograph comes quite close to being the only Hurricane reference you’ll ever need.

Robustly recommended!

With thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for the review copy.