Special Hobby Hawker Tempest V Hi-Tech 2 - 1:32 Special Hobby

[Julien]

Hawker Tempest V Hi-Tech 2

1:32 Special Hobby

 

 

 

The Tempest was an attempt by Sidney Camm's team at Hawker to "fix" the Typhoon's shortfalls, which although they were few were important enough for them to throw a lot of time and money at them. As far as attempts go, it was pretty successful, but it left us modellers with a fairly confusing array of designs that look substantially different from each other, let alone the Tiffie.

The over-thick wing of the Tiffie had resulted in too much drag, so this was ditched and replaced by the new Laminar Flow aerofoil as demonstrated by the then new Mustang, which necessitated an exceptionally smooth riveted finish to maximise the benefits of the design. Because they were to be fitted with engines that were experimental at the time, the Ministry insisted on a number of different engine fits to prevent delays re-engining the airframe if one type was delayed or terminated. This led to a the differences in the front end, from the Mk.I with a Spitfire-like nose, the Mk.II with a Fury-style nose, and the V which had the more recognisable Typhoon-style nose. The V was the first to receive approval from the Ministry and after the IV had engine problems the V became the main initial variant, and after the Tornado was cancelled the Mk.II went ahead with its Centaurus engine and cylindrical cowling.

In service the Tempest Mk.V was found to be an excellent aircraft, and was the fastest prop-driven fighter of WWII at low altitude. It was also rugged, and could take punishment, and could be thrown around the sky by a competent pilot despite its thin wing. It was responsible for downing a number of jet-powered Me.262s and had an exceptional kill to loss ratio.

 

 

The Kit

This is the second Hi-Tech boxing of the Tempest V, the first was reviewed here with all of the plastic retained from the first Mk.V, along with the photo-etch, masks and HGW seatbelts. As the original kit has proved very popular Special Hobby have re-released it, however rather than just release the same kit they have gone to the next level. This boxing has a new plastic sprue which comes from the Tempest Mk.II (reviewed here),  containing a full set of rockets for the kit.

 

New Sprue

 

 

 

As well as including this new sprue the fine folks at Special Hobby decided to change the resin around in the kit. You still get resin wheels and a pilots seat & Cockpit like the original Mk V, however you do not get the rest of the original kits resin gun barrels. This is not to say Special Hobby are short changing the modeller, far from it! This boxing contains a resin Napier Sabre engine, exhausts, complete engine bay; and resin engine bay panels to display next to the model. 

 

New Resin

 

 

 

 

 

Markings

There are four decal sheets, containing national markings, aircraft codes, stencils, and finally some additional codes with squadron crests and instrument dials for the cockpit.  The decals have been printed by Eduard and are in good registration, sharpness and colour density, sporting a thin glossy carrier film cut close to the printed areas.

 

From the box you can build one of the following:

• JF-E/SN222 "le Grande Charles", Flt Lt Pierre Closermann, 3 Sqn, Fassberg April/May 1945.
• JBW/EJ750 Wg Cmd Wary, Vokel late 1944.
• JJ-F/EJ762, Flt Lt Fairbanks, 274 Sqn, Volkel, October 1944.
• 5R-B/SN206, Flt Off Rens, Quackenbruk, 33Sqn, May 1944.
• J5-H/SN330, Sqr Ldr Cole, Wunstorf 1946.

The last option is in overall High Speed Silver with Green codes, all the others are standard camo.

 

 

 

 

Quite a broad spread of options that should suit most modellers, given the variety of the schemes.

 

Conclusion

Another stand-out Tempest from our friends at Special Hobby, with a box full of goodies that might usually be an aftermarket set with other manufacturers.  Highly recommended.

 

 

 

Review sample courtesy of

[Antoine]

4 hours ago, Julien said:

• JF-E/SN222 "le Grande Charles, Flt Lt Pierre Closerman, 3 Sqn, Fassberg April/May 1945.
• JBW/EJ750 Wg Cmd Wary, Vokel late 1944.
• JJ-F/EJ762, Flt Lt Fairbanks, 274 Sqn, Vokel, October 1944.
• 5R-B/SN206, Flt Off Quackenbruk, 33Sqn, May 1944.
• J5-H/SN330, Sqr Ldr Cole, Wunstorf 1946.

Hi Julien,

you should stop the whisky, really!

 

"Le Grand Charles" Flt Lt Pierre Clostermann

The JBW code stand for the Wingco, Certainly John B. Wray

Base for JJ°F is Volkel.

And for 5R°B, Quackenbruck is the airfield, not the pilot.

[Robert Stuart]

5 hours ago, Julien said:

This boxing has a new plastic sprue which comes from the Tempest Mk.II,  containing a full set of rockets for the kit.

I stand to be corrected, but I understand that - while the aircraft was cleared to use them - Tempest pilots were not trained to use rockets until after WWII.

 

Nice looking kit btw

[Julien]

55 minutes ago, Antoine said:

Hi Julien,

you should stop the whisky, really!

 

No Whiskey just tired.