Corgi Aviation Archive Series Diecast Model

Hawker Hurricane Mk.1 – N2359, “Winged Popeye”, Pilot Officer Leonard W. Stevens, RAF No. 17 Squadron, RAF Debden airfield, England, 1940

1:72 Scale.  Length: 5.25”.  Wingspan: 6.75"


Limited Edition of 1,000 Models Worldwide

RAF Pilot Officer Leonard W. Stevens of No.17 Squadron received Hawker Hurricane N2359 as a replacement for an earlier aircraft that was damaged in combat with the Luftwaffe on August 11, 1940 and applied some rather elaborate artwork to the port side of the aircraft. It was highly unusual for RAF fighters to carry any form of unauthorized artwork during the Battle of Britain so the sight of a “Winged Popeye” must have caused quite a stir around Debden airfield, although they would have had more important matters at hand. P/O Stevens served with No.17 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain, only to be killed in a mid-air collision between two RAF Spitfires in May 1941.

The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-engine fighter aircraft and the first monoplane fighter used by the Royal Air Force. First flown on November 6 1935, the Hurricane entered operational service with the RAF in December 1937. Together with the Spitfire, the Hurricane was essential in enabling the RAF to win the Battle of Britain in 1940, accounting for the majority of the RAF's air victories. The aircraft was also adapted for use as a fighter-bomber, night-fighter/intruder and ground support aircraft. A version known as the Sea Hurricane had modifications which enabled operations from ships. More than 14,000 Hurricanes were built by the end of 1944 (including at least 800 converted to Sea Hurricane and 1,400 built in Canada). The Hurricane was built by, or exported to, several other countries during the war and used by their air forces.


The Corgi Aviation Archive features a wide selection of high quality, ready-made diecast model airplanes. Each model is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, using specifications of the original aircraft. Corgi models are built with diecast metal and some plastic components.

This model of a Hurricane Mk.I features: