In 1943 Winston
Churchill ordered three Typhoons be sent to the Middle East for trials. The
Typhoon was modified for tropical service by the addition of an auxillary air
intake under the wing centre section and this was used for takeoff and landing.
This feature was later included on the Tempest MkVI which was used in Egypt
in the 1950s. 451 Squadron RAAF based at El Daba, Egypt was given the
task of trialling these aircraft and all 19 pilots that flew them were impressed
by their capability. Certainly better than the Hurricane MkIs they were
flying.
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Apart from the well
documented "cockpit insert drama" I found the Typhoon an easy kit to
build. I filed away the upper fuselage before and after the insert at a
fine angle till is was the same size. Eduard prepainted seat belts
were added along with a scratch built compass which is very prominent and some
extra detail under the rear of the canopy. The major modification was the
scratch built air intake under the wing (image 06). Techmod of Poland
provides decals for this unusual aircraft (48044) which are thick but two
coats of Micro Set/Sol settled them down OK.
I used Humbrol
Middle Stone and Azure Blue with Gunze Dark Earth. I don't like
the texture of Humbrol paints but I think that for RAF schemes their colours are
more realisitic, particularly Ocean Grey but not Azure Blue. The
Azure Blue looks more like coloured photos I have when weathered.
Weathering was achieved with a few drops of Testors Radar Tan and USN Light Grey
in Dullcote Laquer with lots of airbrush thinner. Most colour references
for this aircraft show a black spinner but I believe that this is a wrong
interpretation of a back lit photo. Compare the two photos on page 24 of
"The Typhoon and Tempest Story" and see what you think. Remember
that the Desert Airforce even painted the spinners of captured German aircraft
RED.
I would thoroughly
recommend this kit to any one with average modelling skills who can use a
needle file.
Phil Mead
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