Tempest Mk. V: Airfix 1/72
This is my interpretation of Wing Commander ‘Bee' Beamont's Tempest Mk. V, a plane he test-piloted for Hawker before flying it into combat with incredible skill, flipping V-1s amongst other acts of unbelievable daring. I hope he really did have that drink with Hemingway in the officer's mess afterwards.
The enjoyment of building this was an extension of the thought that went into designing it; Airfix strike a nice balance between small structures (the grooved tail wheel and interlocking two-part exhaust stubs) and buildability, which keeps the modeling experience fluid.
I bought the kit intending to pose it in-flight, even though – like the Typhoon – the Tempest looks just as good on the ground. However, I found I wanted to experience the designers' solution to the problem of the undercarriage's complexity, which is pretty ingenious; delicate rods are anchored to big chunks of plastic, locking into the wheel wells with a Bandai-like inevitability when it all fits together.
I only used what came in the box (excluding the Eduard seat harness) as the overall quality is very satisfying, with parts that fit and decals that go down and melt in where they need to. I tried to paint a machine that isn't so much worn out as one that's seen a lot of use in a short space of time, as a plane in 1944 must've done.
Thanks for looking iModeler community!
Gorgeous build, Tim @timtozer231. I think the Tempest and the Mosquito are Airfix' finest. The Meteor comes in third. The weathering of your Tempest is superb!
Cheers, Felix. I haven't tried the Mossie, but will given your recommendation.
Beautiful build - I think you weathered her up nicely!
Thanks, Greg. 1/72 is an eye strain, but it was fun to paint nevertheless.
Sweet. And Hot. Well you know.
Super well-done build & finish. Weathering is particularly outstanding...it's "just right."
Stunning Build Tim, @timtozer231, beautiful paint on a skillfully assembled kit. When I looked at the headline picture I thought it was a 1/24th scale model. You really made it look sharp, with paint work that shows remarkable variation in such a small scale.
Superb build, Tim!
Congratulations!
Thanks for the kit info, as well.
Lovely job. Well-worn to the perfect degree.
Thanks, everyone - really very much appreciated. Support from such a discerning crowd means a lot!
Really awesome build Tim. The painting and weathering are stupendous.
Excellent build Tim. Weathering is perfect
Great-looking Tempest, Tim. The weathering is extraordinary for 1/72. I only hope my 1/32nd build comes out half as good. I especially like how you did the exhaust stains. Nice tonal variation on the RAF camo colors.
Beautiful Tempest, Tim.
Too many thanks to reply individually, but thanks to all of you for taking the time to comment.Really does make it all worthwhile.
That’s a gorgeous Tempest, Tim, full marks to you and Airfix.
Excellent result, Rim @timtozer231
This level of modelling in 1/72 requires quite some skills which you clearly seem to master.
Wow, hard to believe it’s in 1/72 scale…your work really enhanced the model several steps up