Airfix 1/24 Typhoon

[sheppy]

Hi all this is my build log for the Airfix 1/24 Typhoon.
As some call it the forgotten hero.
With the people I`ve known and the research I`ve done there is no right or wrong way to paint the aircraft as there is no known records of how the Typhoon left the factory. The one and only example of the Typhoon left was saved from the mass scrapping as it was given to the United States for testing. All the Typhoons ever built and remained in this country where destroyed as they had an inherent floor, most pilots that died in the Typhoon where actually killed by the aircraft either on start up as the engine had a case of catching fire, or it wouldn`t last the mission, another was carbon monoxide poisoning. The average life of a Typhoon was around 2-3 weeks unless you got a good one.
With the display aircraft at the RAF museum being given to the United States it underwent a partial restoration so some of the colour call out`s are for American colours and with some of the people that I`ve known say that factories would cut out painting parts to get them out quicker especially if the aircraft was known not to last long in service.
The Typhoon started development in 1937 but then it was known as the Hawker Tornado where floors in the design where found one such was the air frame breaking just behind the cockpit or at the tail root.
DSCN3861 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3862 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3863 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3864 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3865 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3866 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3867 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
only pieces opened where the clear parts to check the canopy to which there is an alley cat resin set on the way, there is also a few more goodies on order.
DSCN3868 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3871 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
first 2 days work frame and engine assembled with the engine in paint.

[Stokesy44]

Looking really good Sir

Really appreciate the background stuff too. Reminded me of Pierre Closterman's biography when he described his training flight in a Tiffy before being sent to a Tempest squadron in Holland.

Engine's looking good and I had a bit of a drool over those beautiful resin upgrades. When I built mine I only went for a set of resin wheels from Barracuda. If I ever built another one I would seriously consider all the stuff you've added.

cant wait for further updates.

[sheppy]

So here is the next instalment of the build so far
DSCN3872 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
My Typhoon pilot painted using Ultimate primer various vallejo paints and secret weapon washes.
face was painted with various skin tones from vallejo then once dried secret weapon washes where used as a glazing technique to add tonal differences.
boots and flying cap where first painted leather brown then dry brushed with buff then a thin wash of saddle brown added.
life vest was first painted buff then a thin wash of khaki grey.
flight suit was painted field blue then various mixes to add shadows, wear and tear and high lights.
In WWII pilots transferring to the Typhoon would be given 2 A4 sheets of the cockpit instrumentation to study 2 days before flying the Typhoon. On the day of the flight they would be given 1 hour in the cockpit to familiarize themselves with the controls then they would get a pat on the back " away you go mate ".
DSCN3874 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3875 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3877 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
DSCN3878 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
Her is my rendition of the highly unreliable Napier sabre engine. it was a highly complex engine basically 2 flat 12 engines mounted 1 above the other connected through a gearing system. on start up it would be the upper engine that was initially started then that would start the lower. this engine had no valves as such because the cylinder bores slide to open and close the exhaust port
DSCN3879 by Steven Shepherd, on Flickr
onwards with the wiring and plumbing
Loving this build so far Ivan you shouldn`t have sold yours

[Stokesy44]

Superb work. That engine looks really good. It’s definitely looking like a Tiffy now

[BonsaiWarrior]

Wow!
This is looking great. I love all the detail in that scale.
Does the kit have access panels that can be opened so you can see all this greatness?

[Kevthemodeller]

Very nice work mate I'm going to follow this build with great interest.

Your background history is very interesting if a little harsh when used to describe the 1B and later Mks. My old supervisor when I started my apprenticeship was a WW2 Typhoon pilot from mid 44 on wards, he said these were the best years of his life. I quote "They gave me the fastest, hardest hitting single engine fighter in the world and told me to shoot anything that moved, I was 22, oh what fun!" He said they took off at 9 and 3 each day given primary and secondary targets then just attack anything. He said he knew the only man who shot down a V2 apparently they were tasked with interdicting V1 and V2 lunch sites as they flow over the trees looking for the V2 site one rose up up of the trees, the chap shot at it and hit it, it lost control and crashed.

He used to readily recall busting German armour in the break out from Caen and the Falaise Pocket. He said they could turn over a Tiger or blow it in half When you consider a rocket firing Typhoon had the same hitting power as a broadside from a cruiser

By 44 all the major issues were pretty much sorted, there was a few more issues with tail fatigue in aircraft subjected to extreme dives/pullouts but the whole rear was redesigned and by late 44 the problem was solved. The aircraft was rushed into service in 41, it didn't have the long testing that the Hurricane and Spitfire had both of which had equally serious issues when first built. Certainly the Ib non car door was much improved over it's predecessor, my supervisor never mentioned he'd had any issues and he flew many combat sorties.

Hopefully the Hendon aircraft, currently in Canada wont soon be the only one and this one will fly see here
https://hawkertyphoon.com/ Very interesting site and I just can't wait to see it fly

[Modelfreek]

Nice looking typhoon. That engine detail is great! And I like to see a person after my own heart
With the after market goodies. For me though it’s dangerous because it’s like “ooh piece a candy! Ooh piece a cand!”
Lol. Keep it up, wanting to see it finished.