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Typhoon build, information request.


Siegemaster

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Hi All,

I'm in the process of building the Airfix 1/24 Hawker Typhoon.

I'm not really a fan of the options presented as I want a non personalised, 4 blade, tempest tail, rocket firing typhoon in half d-day stripes.

After several weeks of research I think I have decided on either MN526 TP-V or MN880/882 TP-Q.

Some of you will know these as the aircraft often shown marked up with Red Squadron markings despite much evidence to the contrary (personally I think the appearance of a different colour is due to the invasion stripes staining the paint)

However I can't find any information on which type of dust filter/air intake equipment they were fitted with at the time

Given that I've seen drawings and paint scheme diagrams showing everything from red squadron markings to red spinners plus 2 different serial numbers for TP-Q, I don't really trust anything short of photos or eyewitness testimony ( preferably with some sort of diary or maintenance log)

I'm awaiting the delivery of some books that I'm hoping might help, but in the meantime I was wondering if any of you have any info on either aircraft or any info on any similar aircraft?

Cheers,

Siegemaster

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Dutch decal has a decal sheet in Dutchies in the RAF. One of the options is a (reasonably) unknown sqn CO's aircraft that was pranged by one of his pilots, one of said Dutchies, of course! THE a/c is a late fourblader bases at Helmond or Eindhoven, late autumn 1944. I'm afraid it's a Bombphoon though. Take a look at www.dutchdecal.com

Hope this is of some use to you.

Cheers, Erik.

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There are plenty of options out there, Seigemaster. A quick search located nearly 30 examples that fit your requirements, from 10 different squadrons plus 3 wing leaders' aircraft; finding decals might be a bit more difficult!

Erik's suggestion is good, although as it was the box art featured decal choice for Airfix's recent 1/72 Typhoon I wouldn't describe it as (reasonably) unknown! Perhaps, with its artwork it is too personalised anyway? It was an RP Tiffie, not a bomber by the way.

The two 198 Sqn machines would also be appropriate. I agree with your doubts re the red codes, although my guess is that they were repainted in MSG. There has been some debate on this on at least two occasions in this site which a search should reveal. I have a couple of shots of TP-Q on its back, after an accident that killed its unfortunate pilot (see Desmond Scott's 'One More Hour') on 2 Oct 44. They show the codes were not red and also that the inner surface of the main u/c doors were darker than normal with a light 'Q'.

I have to admit that the two serials for TP-Q are my fault, having made an error in the A-B Typhoon File. The correct serial is MN880. MN882 was another 198 Sqn aircraft, TP-E, Sqn Ldr Ezanno's aircraft. There are photos of that one too. It is likely that these Typhoons, and in fact any that fit your requirements, would have had cuckoo door filters (but no tropical filter fitted). Unfortunately, although Airfix provide the cuckoo doors, the drum filter which fits immediately behind them, is not in the kit. It looked much like the air filters that can be found in cars (or some vacuum cleaners). Perhaps the after-market boys will be along soon ...

Chris

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There are plenty of options out there, Seigemaster. A quick search located nearly 30 examples that fit your requirements, from 10 different squadrons plus 3 wing leaders' aircraft; finding decals might be a bit more difficult!

Erik's suggestion is good, although as it was the box art featured decal choice for Airfix's recent 1/72 Typhoon I wouldn't describe it as (reasonably) unknown! Perhaps, with its artwork it is too personalised anyway? It was an RP Tiffie, not a bomber by the way.

The two 198 Sqn machines would also be appropriate. I agree with your doubts re the red codes, although my guess is that they were repainted in MSG. There has been some debate on this on at least two occasions in this site which a search should reveal. I have a couple of shots of TP-Q on its back, after an accident that killed its unfortunate pilot (see Desmond Scott's 'One More Hour') on 2 Oct 44. They show the codes were not red and also that the inner surface of the main u/c doors were darker than normal with a light 'Q'.

I have to admit that the two serials for TP-Q are my fault, having made an error in the A-B Typhoon File. The correct serial is MN880. MN882 was another 198 Sqn aircraft, TP-E, Sqn Ldr Ezanno's aircraft. There are photos of that one too. It is likely that these Typhoons, and in fact any that fit your requirements, would have had cuckoo door filters (but no tropical filter fitted). Unfortunately, although Airfix provide the cuckoo doors, the drum filter which fits immediately behind them, is not in the kit. It looked much like the air filters that can be found in cars (or some vacuum cleaners). Perhaps the after-market boys will be along soon ...

Chris

Ah, sorry, Chris!

cover2401.jpg

AX02041.jpg

Indeed! Anyhow, the fact that a ham-fisted Dutchman pranged it is a nice bit of background, isn't it? :)

And maybe he wasn't ham-fisted at all, but just a victim of the strongwilledness of the mechanics of the Typhoon....

Edited by ErikB
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