EXPORT HURRICANES

[NARSES2]

After the US Congress refusal to ratify the Treaty establishing the League of Nation's, President Wilson went off in a huge sulk and the US enetred an extended period of Isolationism. Whislt aware of what was happening "over the pond" as regards the Cold War between the Western and Eastern Alliances the US attitude was one of "we're not bothered as long as they stay out of our neck of the woods". It was the first succesful Paris - New York flight by the twin aviators "Archie & Pollux" in their Bloch Long Range Monoplane that started to open US eyes to the progress being made in Europe, particularly in the field of aviation.

After a hard fought struggle by the armed forces Congress finaly initiated a US Military evaluation team who's main aim was to seek out and report back on the latest world wide military developments. As a result of this initiative funds were released to enable the team to purchase samples of the latest in military hardware for evaluation back in the US. Rather naturally the European's were reluctant to release their latest creations (they were in the middle of an intense Cold War after all and the US had made it clear it was not taking sides or ofering it's services) the US managed to purchase examples of First Generation kit which was still far in advance to what the USAAC was currently operating.

This is one of 3 Hurricane Mk I's sold to the US Evaluation Team in 1939 - the sale of Spitfires and Whirlwinds was refused. It was tested rigourously in the US and Curtis in particular benefited enormously from this use.

[NARSES2]

After being intensley evaluated by the USAAC this particular airframe was also used extensively by engine manufacturers Alison as a test bed for various trials of in-line water cooled engines. Eventually Alison took out a licence agreement to manufacture Rolls Royce Merlin's for US aircraft. It was eventually used in the very first US test on automatic pilot escape systems and flew until 1950 in this guise before being given to the Smitsonian.

[NARSES2]

This is the latter MK I/Mk II Airfix boxing, which although having a more modern parts breakdown and a profusion of bits for the spares box has a suprisingly much poorer mould quality then the earlier Mk I boxing.

Markings are from a generic sheet for the "roundels" an old Matchbox P-12 kit for the sash and squadron marking and the MPM P36 for the rudder stripes - almost a perfect fit   - and US Army underwing titles

[gooberliberation]

 Mighty good lookin plane ya got there. Looks good in natural metal/silver dope fabric

[Archibald]

"Archie & Pollux"

C'est gentil ça!    
Lovely hurricanes really! Hmmmmm I have to read this "cold war in the 30's" thread  from the start...  

[Brian da Basher]

Wow that's one beautiful Hurricane! I just love early U.S. "star-and-meatball" markings and they somehow look sooooo right on this bird in that all-silver scheme! Sharp as a tack! I love it!

Brian da Basher

[anthonyp]

Ooooh, shiny...  (eyes glazing over, fixated on shiny plane)

Nice job!