Revell 1/72 scale Hawker Hunter F. Mk 6

Kit: No. 04350
Scale: 1/72
Manufacturer: Revell Germany, 49-5223-9650, www.revell.de
Price: N/A
Comments: Injection molded, 79 parts, decals
Pros: Excellent detail, strong wing/ fuselage mortise joints
Cons: Wingtips and leading-edges thicker than wings, poorly fitting canopy, translucent decals

Revell Germany's new kit finally does 1/72 scale justice to designer Sidney Camm's sleek jet. The Hunter was used by dozens of RAF squadrons and saw service in many air forces around the world. Molded in silver plastic, the kit has recessed panel lines, optional parts and decals, and best of all, the parts breakdown suggests future variants of the aircraft.

The three-piece cockpit has excellent molded-in detail, and optional decals are provided for the consoles and instrument panel. A good four-piece representation of the Martin-Baker ejection seat is included.

Assembly is straightforward with no problems, and I used only a bit of putty on the lower fuselage seam. However, the separate wingtips and wing leading-edge extensions were thicker than the wings.

The fuselage comprises six parts; once it was assembled, I sanded it down for a smoothly faired surface. The tail cone was a bit larger than the aft fuselage. The intakes fit great, and the wings fit into depressions in the fuselage, assuring correct anhedral and no gaps. Separate, detailed flaps are given, as well as the option of posing the ventral speedbrake open or closed.

Wheel and wheel-well detail is as fine as that in any 1/72 scale kit I've seen. The landing gear is well executed; the main gear struts have separate torque links and prototypical trunnion mounts.

The separate windshield and canopy are clear but don't fit well. The windshield fit leaves a prominent ledge around its base. It would be best to work on the fit, then fill and sand before painting. The canopy is too tall where it meets the fuselage spine, so I posed it open.

Underwing stores include a pair of 100-gallon drop tanks and two Sidewinders. I finished my Hunter in the 1959 markings of RAF Acklington-based 66 Squadron's commanding officer, using Gunze Sangyo acrylics for the camouflage and Testor non-buffing aluminum Metalizer for the lower surfaces.

The comprehensive decal sheet has complete stenciling and markings for two RAF machines (including a colorful yellow- trimmed Hunter from the Fighter Combat School), a Royal Netherlands Air Force aircraft, and a Belgian Air Force Hunter. The matte-finished decals snuggled down and conformed well but are slightly transparent, which allows the camouflage to show through the white areas. Dotted guide lines on the underwing serial number decals allow them to be cut apart prior to application so they fit on the wings and main gear doors with no guesswork - a nice feature.

Not included in the kit but shown on the instruction sheet photo are the whip antennae on the spine and upper wings; I added these from stretched sprue.
Revell Germany's Hunter is an enjoyable kit with a couple of easily fixed problems. I spent 18 hours on my Hunter.

- Walt Fink