Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Trop

Arma Hobby, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Trop was a specialised adaptation of the early Hurricane designed for operations in harsh, hot climates.

Based on the standard Mk.I, the “Trop” incorporated a prominent Vokes air filter beneath the nose to protect the engine from dust and sand, along with minor equipment changes suited to desert and tropical service. While the filter reduced maximum speed slightly, it proved essential for reliable operation in extreme conditions.

The Mk.I Trop first saw extensive service in North Africa, where it equipped RAF and Commonwealth squadrons battling the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica. Despite being outclassed in some respects by newer fighters, the Hurricane remained a stable gun platform and rugged workhorse, excelling in ground-attack and close support roles.

In Malta, Tropincal Hurricanes formed the backbone of the island’s air defence during the critical early years of the siege. Operating at the limits of endurance, they intercepted Axis bombers and fighters in a constant struggle for survival, buying time until more advanced aircraft could be delivered.

Further east, the Mk.I Trop served with the RAF in India and Burma under the South East Asia Command (SEAC). Here, it was used in both air defence and ground-attack roles against Japanese forces, its durability again proving invaluable in austere conditions.

A single example is also recorded as having reached Australia, primarily for evaluation in tropical conditions. Although it did not lead to widespread local use, it reflected Allied interest in adapting proven designs for Pacific operations.

The Hurricane Mk.I Trop’s legacy is one of adaptability—an aircraft modified to meet demanding environments and continuing to deliver solid service across multiple theatres of war.

I remember back in The Olden Days, modellers would have to wait for years, or perhaps never, to see variations of new kit releases.

That is certainly no longer the case, with companies such as Arma Hobby pumping out interesting new versions of their kits mere months since their original iterations.

Arma Hobby continues this tradition with this new 1/48 scale Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Trop.

Arma Hobby’s Hurricane Mk.I Trop is a thoughtfully executed release and a straightforward build.

The kit comprises 93 grey plastic parts, eleven clear parts, self-adhesive die-cut canopy and wheel masks and decals for four marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The two-part Vokes tropical filter, the defining characteristic of this version, is delivered in just two pieces, simply glued to the bottom of the nose. No surgery is required.

The first thing that strikes you when the cardboard tray is slid from its box is the beautifully moulded plastic, highlighted by restrained recessed panel lines and an impressive mix of ultra-fine raised and delicately varied recessed rivet detail.

The stretched fabric effect is also impressive.

The wings in particular capture the subtle textures of metal-skinned Mk.I Hurricanes without tipping into exaggeration.

The inside surfaces of the wings and fuselage are moulded with slightly alarming-looking raised moulding artefacts. Fear not though – these do not interfere with assembly and will be sealed from view once construction is complete.

Arma has carried over the excellent cockpit sprues from their Mk.IIb & c kits resulting in a comprehensively fitted out front office.

Detail, especially around the structural framing, is crisp and busy without feeling cluttered, and the open forward fuselage gives an welcome glimpse into the characteristic front end of the Merlin engine and associated ducting that is missing from many earlier kits.

An overlay decal is supplied for the instrument panel.

Three styles of propeller spinner and two propeller blades - de Havilland and Rotol - are offered for this boxing.

Arma's decal sheet includes a set of harness straps.

Engineering follows Arma’s now-familiar pattern of thoughtful parts breakdowns backed by real-world testing. The fuselage is designed with a lower rear fuselage insert to permit the release of a Sea Hurricane Mk.I in the future. The fin is separate too. The wings are full-span upper and lower halves with the fuselage sitting on a saddle at the wing root.

I have built Arma's Hurricane Mk. I and fit was be very good.

The only visible imperfection that I could find was a couple of very faint sink marks on the mid-upper starboard fuselage.

Clear parts are thin and free from distortion.

Marking Options

The Cartograf-printed decals offer three 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).

The sheet also carries decals for the instrument panel, harness straps, sidewall details and stencil markings.

The decals are glossy and richly saturated. I particularly like the subtle differences between the shades of roundel red for the early and mid-war periods.

Arma Hobby’s 1/48 scale Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Trop is a thoroughly modern kit that successfully combines detail, finesse and thoughtful engineering in one well-rounded package.

Surface textures are lovely, with subtle fabric effects and restrained rivet work capturing the character of the Hurricane. The cockpit is busy and convincing straight from the box,

Combined with high-quality decals and useful canopy and wheel massk, Arma Hobby has delivered a kit that feels contemporary and complete.

All things considered, this kit sets a high benchmark for future releases in the series and reinforces Arma Hobby’s reputation for producing well-researched, finely detailed kits of classic subjects.

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Arma Hobby for the sample

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2026 by Brett Green
Page Created 24 March, 2026
Last updated 24 March, 2026

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