Academy 1/72 Hawker Tempest V

ACADEMY 1:72 HAWKER TEMPEST V

Reviewer: Richard Stracey (rec.models.scale)
Kit Review submitted: 21 November 2004 (#119)

Kit Details:

ACADEMY #1669 1/72 - HAWKER TEMPEST V

Aircraft History:

Specification F10/41 was placed with Hawkers for two prototype, thin wing versions of the Typhoon to be known as the Mk.II. Due to problems with the Sabre engine, various other engines were considered including the RR Griffon and Bristol Centaurus. In the end the re named Tempest V flew on 2^nd Sep.’42. 3 Squadron was the first to be equipped with the Mk.V Series I with the Mk.II 20mm Hispano Cannons in early 1944. The Series II that served with eleven squadrons was fitted with the short barrel Mk.V 20mm Hispano cannons. The Tempest was best known for the destruction of over eight hundred V-1 Flying Bombs although it also accounted for over two hundred German aircraft including Me 262’s and Ar234 jets. By 1947 Tempests had retired from front line service but found a useful life as Target Tugs until they were finally retired in 1955. One hundred Series I aircraft were produced starting with serial JN729 and seven hundred and five Series II starting with serial EJ518. The Mk.V was powered by a Napier Sabre twenty four cylinder engine and had a span of 41’ and a length of 33’8”.

The Kit:

This 1999 Academy kit consists of fifty seven parts in crisp, hard grey plastic and includes five clear parts. It contains two bombs and two drop tanks but no pilot. Well printed decals are supplied for two camouflaged aircraft. The instructions are clear and informative and although no paint is recommended, BS and FS numbers are quoted, where appropriate. All parts are sealed in plastic bags and the solid box with eye catching artwork is shrink wrapped for further protection.

Construction:

Before you start, be aware that, although they don’t say so, this is a Series II Tempest V with the fully enclosed Mk.V Hispano cannons. If you wish to make a series I, it would be a simple matter to add short cannon barrels. There is not much to say concerning construction as everything fits well and needs no filler. For me, the cockpit is detailed enough and all that I added was a set of Extratech photo etch seatbelts (# 72.039). The main undercarriage is so “scale” that it proved rather delicate. I rather like Academy’s method of fitting the propeller. It is interesting to compare this kit to the previous year’s Typhoon kit #1664. With this one the exhausts are separate and the pilot’s step is supplied otherwise it is, naturally, quite similar. The bombs would have been more appropriate with the Typhoon kit as the only Tempest V’s to carry bombs were 33 Squadron and that was only for a few weeks right at the end of the war. The Tempest was very much an interceptor / fighter and did not mess about low down where the Typhoon found fame and fortune. So, use the tanks and keep the bombs for some other project.

Colour Schemes/Decals::

The decal option is for NV724 JF.E. (Have I seen this somewhere before?) Yes, it is Pierre Clostermann,s 3 Squadron aircraft in July ’45 and SN228 EDM, W/Cdr. Evan D Mackie’s mount from 122 Wing in May ’45. Both are standard Grey and Green over Light Grey and the only difference is in the colour of the spinners. Decals are Academy’s weak point and this one is no exception. The printing is fine but they are thick and stiff and I have doubts as to their accuracy. I think that just about every kit and decal maker has depicted Closterman’s aircraft but Heller and Frog both show NV784 as the serial and, on the fin a small white disc with what looks like “pi” on it. They also show the 3 Squadron badge (a cockatrice) on a red background as does the Academy box art as does AL Bennet’s plans, but the decals have a blue background! Clostermann certainly had NV784 with identical markings, including scores, to this NV724 and that was in May, only two months previously. In the end I decided on a post war bare metal example, NV708 JCB “ZIPP II”, W/Cdr WC Button’s aircraft from 123 Wing. (The order went out on 3^rd March ’45 to remove camouflage.) The spinner is black and white and, although I can’t find a photo to confirm it, I have seen a model somewhere on the Internet with two blades the standard black with 4” yellow tips and the other two blades white with 4” black tips! Very unusual but I presume that whoever made the model knows more than I do. The only addition that I made was a whip ariel on the spine made from a toothbrush bristle.

Overall Recommendation:

As usual, Profile #197 is useful and Scale Models of Feb ’73 has masses of information, including AL Bentley’s superb plans. Scale Aircraft Modelling “Aircraft in Detail” of April ’96 is informative and they also review this kit in the Dec ’99 issue, as does Scale Models International of Dec/Jan’00. Frog (#F189/F212) and Revell have made a Tempest as did Heller, now available from SMER complete with Propagteam decals and Matchbox made the Tempest II that could be cross kitted to make a Mk.IV. This Academy kit is possibly the best and is simple but detailed enough for most modellers and good value.

RHS / 119

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