Building...
Not much to build on this kit, it's said to take 8 hours. The surface details are awesome and are crying for a dirty wash later on. Decals for 8 different Tempests are included. All hardware needed is in the kit, except the radio- and engine stuff of course. First are a few photos how it looks like right out of the box, which is later used to store and transport the model in!
Decals...
As said there are decals for 8 individuals. Unfortunately it looks like Alfa Models used Richard J. Caruana's book "Hawker Tempest Mks.II to VIs" as reference. (Everyone but Clostermann's JF-E (NV724) is in that book.) I.e they have copied all mistakes in that book. I know this model isn't a super-scale model for F4C competition, but it's always fun to make a historical correct model.
To start the Tempest modelled is a Series 2, you all know what that means: short-barrelled cannons and no fish plates. And the supplied spinner is yellow! For the wing surfaces Type B and Type C roundels are the only supplied, despite Type C.1 was used from January 1945.
|
R-B (JN751) D-day stripes Fuselage: Type C.1 |
SA-N (JN766) Spring 1944 Series 1 I/D-stripes not supplied Sky spinner Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type B Lower wings: Type C |
JF-Z (JN862) Fuselage: Type C.1 |
JJ-N (EJ783) October 1944 Series 2 Sky spinner Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type B Lower wings: Type C |
| W2-Y (EJ865) 1945 Series 2 Blue spinner Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type C.1 Lower wings: Type C.1 |
JF-E (NV724) July 1945 Series 2 Red spinner Incorrect EJ724 decals supplied Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type C.1 Lower wings: Type C.1 |
SA-M (SN129) Sqn Leader Jim Sheddan, May 1945 Series 2 Black spinner Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type C.1 Lower wings: Type C.1 |
US-T (SN254) Sqn Leader Kilburn, May 1945 - Series 2 Black spinner Fuselage: Type C.1 Upper wings: Type C.1 Lower wings: Type C.1 |
Test flight!
With everything set according to the instructions and with help to launch the model (always nice on the first scary test flight), the Tempest "took off" without any problems. It was rather windy but the model behaved very well. Perhaps I'm going to reduce the elevator travel (or increase expo), a little sensitive for my taste. Otherwise a little gem with lot of power!! The landing was no problem. Just be sure to keep some speed all the time.
SN129 and I are going to have a lot of fun this summer!!
/Christer Landberg
