discussion 1/72 Academy Hawker Tempest V dual build

[flyjoe180]

quickish build project (by my standard anything taking less than a month for a build is quick). I have two of these kits, so I am building one as a D-Day era Tempest V, the other as a late-war Tempest V. The box shows what is actually a post-war scheme; the V1 intercept is fanciful.



The kit is pretty basic, cleanly moulded but with some cockpit detail including a gunsight.

 

[flyjoe180]

One will become JN821 (not JN812 as per the Xtradecal sheet), a Tempest V of No.486 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Newchurch in July 1944. this will require some protruding gun barrels, which are not included. The Airfix kit is the way to go for an earlier series Tempest V, but I'll make do with this Academy kit.


The second will become NV994, Pierre Clostermann's Tempest as it appeared in 1945 with No.3 Squadron RAF wearing no special markings. The colourful JF-E as shown on the box received its markings post-war. Lots of interesting information about Clostermann's famous Tempests (and their identities) can be found here: https://hawkertempest.se/index.php/contributions/stories/357-jf-e-le-grand-charles

 

[flyjoe180]

I got over-excited and forgot to take photos of the cockpits, but all I did was to add some Tamiya flexible tape as a harness. The interior is largely black with some interior green. I used a dark grey with a few silver scratch marks, and dry-brushed the framing and side-wall details Academy provided. You can't see much of it anyway once the fuselages are joined.

Construction occurs quickly but with some fit issues.

 

[flyjoe180]

I filled the various gaps and sanded smooth these and some ugly plastic marks.

The NZ Tempest has some rudimentary gun barrels fitted into the leading edges of the wings. I'll try to sand them down a bit to form a better shape. The Clostermann Tempest has had the one protruding gun barrel drill out and drop tanks fitted.



While the fit is not exemplary, it certainly isn't the worst I have experienced. You get what you pay for, I'm sure the Airfix Tempest would be light years ahead of this 90's kit.

 

[flyjoe180]

Still some minor sanding to do, but the canopies and underwing lights are masked with tape and Humbrol Maskol. Landing gear parts and propeller assemblies are on sticks awaiting primer and paint.

 

[Steven000]

Wow that's comming together fast! Nice project, will look very nice with the planes side by side. Have fun

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Great looking aircraft the Tempest. Good work so far.

 

[papa 695]

Both kits are coming along very nicely Joe.

 

[yak face]

Quick work joe , theyre both looking great , looking forward to the paint going on , cheers tony

 

[scottie3158]

Looking good.

 

[flyjoe180]

Thanks Steven

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers Steve, agree about the Tempest being a good looker

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers Ian

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers Tony

 

[flyjoe180]

Thanks Paul, bit of a change from the Dakota

 

[Geoffers]

Looking good Joe

Wise choice not too spend to much time on the cockpit. I’ve found in this scale you really can’t see too much beyond the seat .

Geoff.

 

[flyjoe180]

Cheers Geoff, you're not wrong.

 

[flyjoe180]

Looking like an aircraft recognition poster, primed in black.

 

[flyjoe180]

I've been doing little bits and pieces on the Tempests, mostly on the landing gear components, creating a whip aerial for each aeroplane (you can see the pre-drilled holes in the fuselage in the following photos), and the D-Day invasion stripes on one of them. Today I got some Medium Sea Grey airbrushed.

 

[Geoffers]

Nice progress Joe, they are slowly coming to life

Geoff.