Description

Key Features

• A superb educational flying model.
• Doubles as a static desktop display model.
• Perfect gift for aviation enthusiasts.
• Accurate laser-cut parts.
• Slot-together assembly.
• No glue needed.
• High-quality printed self-adhesive graphics.

Product Description

A true veteran of the Battle of Britain, the prototype Hawker Hurricane first flew in 1935. As opposed to the Spitfire built from aluminium; the Hurricane Mk.I used wood in its construction. This, along with many other factors, made it far quicker to build with the result that it outnumbered the Spitfire two to one at the outbreak of WW2. Its wings would have had invasion stripes during WW2 to ensure that it wasn’t mistakenly shot down by Allied forces. It featured a Rolls-Royce Merlin engine which allowed for a maximum speed of 340mph. It could climb to a maximum altitude of 36,000 feet, with an incredible 1185hp and a 2780 feet per minute rate of climb.

Prestige Flying Models is thrilled to introduce you to this accurate profile-scale flying balsa model of the formidable WW2 fighter. An exemplary real-size example of this WW2 fighter is based at Shuttleworth for all to visit.

Hurricane Mk.I P3717 was taken on charge by the Royal Airforce in June 1940 and was delivered to the newly formed 253 Squadron Kirton-in-Lindsey on 13th July 1940. Just three days later on the 16th July 1940, a Polish Pilot Officer, W. Samolinski, reported to duty at the Squadron to fly this iconic fighter.

Less than seven weeks later, on the 30th August 1940, P3717 was one of the thirteen aircraft participating in a squadron scramble at 10:50am and ordered to patrol over Maidstone ready to face any threat to its Kenley base. When no attack on Kenley materialised, 253 Squadron was vectored towards Brighton. A dogfight between elements of 253 Squadron and aircraft of Albert Kesselring’s Luftflotte 2 broke out over Redhill in Surrey. P3717, flown by W. Samolinski, was involved in this dogfight and W. Samolinski claimed, and was officially credited with, the destruction of a German Messerschmitt BF 110 in this action.

The P3717 made it back to Kenley but not before one of the enemy aircraft had damaged it to such an extent that it had to be returned to the manufacturer for significant repairs. These repairs took time and once complete, P3717 was reissued to 257 Squadron for further service. Later the airframe was again returned for major works and modified to Mk.2 standard, after which it was sent to Russia from where it was recovered in late 1990.

The restoration to flying condition took over 10 years to accomplish and was only completed in March 2017.