The weaknesses of the Skua, Roc and Sea Gladiator FAA fighters made it obvious that a fast, single seat carrier-borne fighter was desperately needed. Although the Hurricane had won undying fame for itself in the Battle of Britain, it seemed a highly unlikely candidate for deployment aboard aircraft carriers. In fact, the venerable fighter was to take to the nautical environment surprisingly well at a time when it was so desperately needed. The Sea Hurricane was, thus, like the Seafire that would follow, very much a product of desperation, albeit a product that despite its inevitable shortcomings, was very welcome indeed as it was to reign as the fastest fighter in the FAA's inventory for a critical year of warfare. No Sea Hurricane was ever built as such, all were converted from surplus, often hard-worn, RAF stocks. The Sea Hurricane IB was the first non-CAM ship variant, featuring an arrestor hook and strengthened air frame that made carrier operation possible. By the end of 1941, some 100 Sea Hurricane IBs equipped 801, 806 and 885 squadrons serving on HMS Argus, Eagle, Formidable and Victorious. Eventually 32 FAA squadrons would be issued the Sea Hurricane IB which saw service in the Atlantic, the Russian Convoys and, notably, the Malta Convoys where Operation Pedestal marked the type's high point. Many Mk.IBs would be modified again in early 1942, given four 20mm cannons and redesigned as Mk.ICs. The most famous of these Sea Hurricane ICs was 'Dickie' Cork's personal machine used as he downed five enemy aircraft in a single day! By the time the type was withdrawn from service in September 1944, more than 800 of all variants had been delivered.

The Hurricane (Mk I) has been previously offered in 1/700 scale as a resin model by WEM and an injection molded model by Pit-Road. We think that these 3D printed Sea Hurricane models compare favorably with both of the models mentioned above but we've posted some high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. Note that the set of Sea Hurricanes offered here actually includes two different Gear Down models - (3) Sea Hurricane Mk.IB models and (2) Sea Hurricane Mk.IC/IIC models complete with those four deadly 20mm cannons. Although photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, we hope that we've been able to show the well proportioned model including the delicate fuselage complete with a detailed canopy; the wings (complete with the 20 mm cannon on the IC/IIC model), open wheel wells, the tail assembly and especially the landing gear, tail wheel and even a tiny arrestor hook! Note that the cannon and landing gear are a bit thick due to 3D printing process limitations but can be easily replaced with PE parts if desired. Camouflage and colour reference is included.

While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent added.

NOTE: Although we currently maintain limited inventories of most items, some items may be "printed on demand", which usually requires 10-15 business days from order to shipment.