Hawker Hurricane Mk I – Paddy III, 73 Sqn RAF, Cobber Kain, France, Spring 1940. 2 Blade Propeller

Corgi Aviation Archive 1/72 scale AA32019: Hawker Hurricane Mk I “Paddy III” of 73 Sqn RAF, as flown by Edgar ‘Cobber’ Kain, Rouvres, France, Spring 1940. This is the only Corgi Hurricane to date with the original 2 blade wooden propeller. These were replaced by 3 blade metal propellers in the field before the Battle of Britain in late summer 1940. Limited Edition of 1,600 Pieces.

Length 5.25 inches Wingspan 6.75 inches

Edgar James ‘Cobber’ Kain, a New Zealander, joined the RAF in 1936. He was quickly recognized as an outstanding pilot, flying Gladiators with 73 Sqn. In 1938 the squadron converted to Hurricanes and flew to France just 4 days after war was declared. Kain’s first victory, a D017, was achieved on 8th Nov 1939. His career rapidly became one of firsts, first RAF Pilot to claim a Me109E; first WW2 RAF Ace; first to receive the DFC. By 6th June 1940 ‘Cobber’ was the top RAF Ace with 16 kills and one probable and was due to return to England the following day. Leaving Echimenes in a Hurricane he proceeded to ‘beat up’ the airfield but on his third roll the aircraft went into a spin and crashed, killing him instantly. No one knows for sure the serial number of Kain’s Hurricane ‘Paddy III’ but it is likely an early ‘L’ prefix aircraft (possibly L1766). From Sept 1939 all Hurricanes were fitted with a metal wing in place of the early canvas covered wing and any surviving ‘L’ prefix machines were upgraded. This model represents such a modified machine during the height of the Battle of France in the spring of 1940.

Based on the Fury biplane and designed by Sydney Camm as a monoplane fighter, the Hurricane was first flown on November 6th, 1935. With its wide-set landing gear, easy handling, reliability, and stable gun platform, the Hurricane was suitable for a variety of different roles such as intruder, ground strafing and night fighter. Steel-tube construction meant cannon shells could pass right through the wood and fabric covering without exploding. The Hurricane underwent many modifications during its lifetime, including an upgraded Merlin engine and interchangeable multi-purpose wings, staging twelve 7.7mm guns and two 40mm anti-tank guns and carrying two 500lb bombs.