THE KIT.
If you want a Whirlwind in this scale you are buying this kit. I would give it an honest 7/10. It’s a nice kit, looks like a Whirlwind to me and was fun to build. If you are expecting something like a Tamiya 'uber' kit you are going to be disappointed, the kit does need a bit of work. Generally, the fit is good and the moulding is good. The instructions are a bit vague, not helped by a lack of references. There are no Whirlwinds extant in the world today, so you can’t check a museum example. Bearing that in mind Special Hobby have done a great job. Some of the engineering is unusual and makes some parts of construction a bit of a fiddle, you will have a few issues to resolve. I would not recommend it if you have never built a large scale aeroplane kit before, but otherwise go for it!
THIS WHIRLWIND.
I’ve chosen to complete the aircraft in the Temperate Land Scheme, as Whirlwinds would have been seen throughout the early war years and most of 1941.
This is a Whirlwind operated by No. 263 Squadron, coded HE-J. The aircraft was delivered to the squadron, based at Exeter, on 3 January 1941. It did not enjoy a long and illustrious career! On 11 March 1941 it crashed at Prendannack, injuring the pilot P/O Herbert Kitchener DFM (awarded on 6 August 1940 for his actions flying in the Norwegian campaign). It had just 25 flying hours on the airframe at the time.
On 11 March Kitchener had pursued a Ju 88 towards France in bad weather but both his engines were damaged by return fire. He was escorted back to England on one engine by his wingman, but then his remaining (starboard) engine also gave out. Kitchener attempted a landing at Prendannack, then under construction, crashing heavily, breaking his skull and an arm. He did claim the Ju 88 as damaged. The Whirlwind was Struck Off Charge shortly thereafter. Kitchener did not return to flying until September 1941, six months later.
Kitchener is fifth from the left, at the front, with both hands in his pockets, in this photograph, taken at RAF Drem on 30/10/40, not long after his return from the action in Norway.
Here's one of my walkarounds. I was a bit rushed and failed to notice the wheels had rotated unrealistically on a few shots, but hey ho! I have included a pilot figure in approximate 1940 kit simply for scale in a couple of the shots.
I have no idea what's next, maybe that Italian biplane.
If you want a Whirlwind in this scale you are buying this kit. I would give it an honest 7/10. It’s a nice kit, looks like a Whirlwind to me and was fun to build. If you are expecting something like a Tamiya 'uber' kit you are going to be disappointed, the kit does need a bit of work. Generally, the fit is good and the moulding is good. The instructions are a bit vague, not helped by a lack of references. There are no Whirlwinds extant in the world today, so you can’t check a museum example. Bearing that in mind Special Hobby have done a great job. Some of the engineering is unusual and makes some parts of construction a bit of a fiddle, you will have a few issues to resolve. I would not recommend it if you have never built a large scale aeroplane kit before, but otherwise go for it!
THIS WHIRLWIND.
I’ve chosen to complete the aircraft in the Temperate Land Scheme, as Whirlwinds would have been seen throughout the early war years and most of 1941.
This is a Whirlwind operated by No. 263 Squadron, coded HE-J. The aircraft was delivered to the squadron, based at Exeter, on 3 January 1941. It did not enjoy a long and illustrious career! On 11 March 1941 it crashed at Prendannack, injuring the pilot P/O Herbert Kitchener DFM (awarded on 6 August 1940 for his actions flying in the Norwegian campaign). It had just 25 flying hours on the airframe at the time.
On 11 March Kitchener had pursued a Ju 88 towards France in bad weather but both his engines were damaged by return fire. He was escorted back to England on one engine by his wingman, but then his remaining (starboard) engine also gave out. Kitchener attempted a landing at Prendannack, then under construction, crashing heavily, breaking his skull and an arm. He did claim the Ju 88 as damaged. The Whirlwind was Struck Off Charge shortly thereafter. Kitchener did not return to flying until September 1941, six months later.
Kitchener is fifth from the left, at the front, with both hands in his pockets, in this photograph, taken at RAF Drem on 30/10/40, not long after his return from the action in Norway.
Here's one of my walkarounds. I was a bit rushed and failed to notice the wheels had rotated unrealistically on a few shots, but hey ho! I have included a pilot figure in approximate 1940 kit simply for scale in a couple of the shots.
I have no idea what's next, maybe that Italian biplane.
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