Eduard 1/48 Eduard Tempest Mk.V

[moi196872]

This is my entry into the D-Day GB :

Pic of the box :


Pic of the sprues in the bags:


Sprue shot 1 :


Sprue shot 2 :


The resin bits :


The photo-etch parts :


The clear parts :


The decals :


The instructions 1 :


The instructions 2 :


The instructions 3 :


The paint scheme :


The paints that are going to be used :

[moi196872]

A little history :

Tempest Mark V


The first production Tempest V JN729. Small blisters covering the spar securing bolts are visible on the wing root fairing. Long-barreled Hispano II cannon and Typhoon five-spoke mainwheels were other features identifying the first production batch of 100 Tempests Vs.
Even before the first flight of the prototype Tempest V a production order for 400 Tempests was placed by the Air Ministry.The order was split, with the initial batch of 100 being Tempest V "Series Is", powered by the 2,235 hp (1,491 kW), Napier Sabre IIA series engine with the chin radiator, while the rest would be the Tempest I with the Napier Sabre IV and leading-edge radiators. As it transpired the difficulties with the Sabre IV meant that this version never reached production and the order was switched to 300 Tempest V "Series 2"s. The first production Tempest V, JN729 was first flown by test pilot Bill Humble on 21 June 1943. Several of the early production aircraft underwent extensive service trials at Boscombe Down including clearances to be fitted with external stores, including 500 lb (227 kg) and 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs and 3 in (76.2 mm) RP-3 rockets, although few Tempest Vs used such ordnance operationally during World War II.

Examination of captured Fw 190s brought about improvements in the windscreen/ side windows; by careful design and positioning of the frame structure blind spots were reduced to an absolute minimum. The three-piece windscreen had a bullet-resistant centre panel made up of two layers, the outer 1.5 in (38mm) thick and the inner 0.25 in (6.5 mm).

During production of the first batch of 100 Tempest V "Series Is", distinguished by their serial number prefix JNxxx, several improvements were progressively introduced and were used from the outset on all succeeding Tempest V "Series 2s", with serial number prefixes EJ, NV and SN. The rear fuselage fuselage/empennage joint originally featured 20 external reinforcing "fishplates", similar to those fitted to the Typhoon, but it was not long before the rear fuselage was strengthened and, with the fishplates no longer being needed, the rear fuselage became detachable. The first series of Tempest Vs used a built-up rear spar pick-up/bulkhead assembly (just behind the cockpit) which was adapted from the Typhoon. Small blisters on the upper rear wing root fairing covered the securing bolts. This was later changed to a new forged, lightweight assembly which connected to new spar booms: the upper wing root blisters were replaced by small "teardrop" fairings under the wings. The new spar structure also allowed the wings to carry up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) of external stores. Also developed specifically for the Tempest by Hawker was a streamlined 45 gal (205 l) "drop tank" and carrier fairing; the redesigned wing incorporated the plumbing for these tanks, one to each wing. The ailerons were fitted with spring-loaded tabs which lightened the aerodynamic loads, making them easier for the pilot to use and dramatically improving the roll rate above 250 mph (402 km/h). Starting with EJxxx series Tempest Vs the improved Sabre IIB and IIC were used, both of which were capable of producing over 2,400 hp (1,789 kW) on emergency boost for short periods of time. All versions of the Sabre drove four-bladed, 14 ft (4.267 m) diameter de Havilland Hydromatic or Rotol propellers.

The first 100 Tempest Vs used long-barrelled 20 mm (.79 in) Hispano Mk.IIs the barrels of which projected ahead of the wing leading edges and were covered by short fairings, while later production Tempest Vs switched to the short-barrelled Hispano Mk.Vs the muzzles of which were flush with the leading edges. Finally, while early Tempest Vs used Typhoon style 34 by 11 inch (83.4 by 28 cm) five-spoke wheels, the majority used smaller 30 by 9 inch (76.2 by 22.9 cm) four-spoke wheels.

As in all mass-produced aircraft, there may have been some overlap of these features as new components became available. In mid to late 1944 other features were introduced to both the Typhoon and Tempest: A Rebecca transponder unit was fitted, with the associated aerial appearing under the portside centre section. A small, elongated oval static port appeared on the rear starboard fuselage, just above the red centre spot. This was apparently used to more accurately measure the aircraft's altitude.

SN345 with experimental 47 mm class P guns. This is fitted with the standardised smaller four-spoke wheels.
Unusually, in spite of the Tempest V being the RAF's best low to medium altitude fighter, it was not equipped with the new Mk IIC gyroscopic gunsight, an asset which was fitted in RAF Spitfires and Mustangs from mid-1944 and one which considerably improved the chances of shooting down opposing aircraft. Tempest pilots continued to use either the Type I Mk.III reflector gunsight, which projected the sighting graticule directly onto the windscreen, or the Mk.IIL until just after the Second World War, when the gyro gunsight was introduced in Tempest IIs.

Two Tempest Vs, EJ518 and NV768, were fitted with Napier Sabre Vs and experimented with several different Napier made annular radiators, with which they resembled Tempest IIs. This configuration proved to generate less drag than the standard "chin" radiator, contributing to an improvement in the maximum speed of some 11 to 14 mph. NV768 was later fitted with a ducted spinner, similar to that fitted to the Fw 190 V1.

Another experimental Tempest V was SN354, which was fitted with two Vickers 47 mm "P" guns, one under each wing in a long "pod".

[moi196872]

Royal Air Force ground crew refuel and re-arm Hawker Tempest Mark V 'JF-G' of No. 3 Squadron RAF by the grass North-South runway at Newchurch, Kent (UK). On the far side of the runway is the dispersal area of No. 56 Squadron RAF.

[moi196872]

General characteristics :

Crew: One
Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.49 m)
Height: 16 ft 1 in (4.90 m (tail down))
Wing area: 302 ft² (28 m²)
Empty weight: 9,250 lb (4,195 kg)
Loaded weight: 11,400 lb (5,176 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,640 lb (6,190 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Napier Sabre IIA or IIB or IIC liquid-cooled H-24 sleeve-valve engine:, 2,180 hp (1,625 kW) Sabre IIA at + 9 lb/in² boost at 7,000 ft (2,133 m), 4,000 rpm [nb 10]
Propellers: Four-bladed Rotol or de Havilland propeller
Performance

Maximum speed: 432 mph (695 km/h) Sabre IIA at 18,400 ft (5,608 m), Sabre IIB 435 mph at 19,000 ft (700 km/h at 5,791 m)
Range: 740 mi (1,190 km)
1,530 mi (2,462 km) with 90 gal (409 l) drop tanks
Service ceiling: 36,500 ft (11,125 m)
Rate of climb: 4,700 ft/min (23.9 m/s)
Wing loading: 37.75 lb/ft² (184.86 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.21 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
Armament

4 × 20 mm (.79 in) Mark II Hispano cannons, 200 rpg
2 × 500 lb (227 kg) or 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs
8 × 3 in (76.2 mm) RP-3 rockets (post-Second World War)
Provision for 2 × 45 gal (205 l) or 2 × 90 gal (409 l) drop tanks.

[moi196872]

Tempest V in combat :

The Tempest V was in the hands of operational squadrons by April 1944; 3 Squadron was the first to be fully equipped, closely followed by 486 (NZ) Squadron (the only Article XV unit to be equipped with the Tempest during the Second World War). A third unit—56 Squadron—initially kept its Typhoons and was then temporarily equipped with Spitfire IXs until sufficient supplies of Tempests were available. By the end of April 1944, these units were based at RAF Newchurch a new "Advanced Landing Ground" (ALG), where they formed 150 Wing, commanded by Wing Commander Roland Beamont. The new Wing was part of the Second Tactical Air Force (2nd TAF).

Most of the operations carried out by 150 Wing comprised high altitude fighter sweeps, offensive operations known as "Rangers" (long-range sorties inside enemy territory, specifically to attack ground vehicles) and anti-shipping reconnaissance. In June 1944, however, the first German V-1 flying bombs were launched against London and the Tempest's excellent low-altitude performance made it one of the preferred tools for dealing with the small fast-flying unmanned missiles. 150 Wing was transferred back to the ADGB, where the Tempest squadrons racked up a considerable percentage of the total RAF kills over the flying bombs (638 of a total of 1,846 destroyed by aircraft).

Early Tempest V of 3 Sqn. at Newchurch. Note Invasion stripes painted on by the ground crew; the longer cannon barrels can be seen on the port-side wing.
In September 1944, Tempest units, based at forward airfields in England, supported Operation Market Garden, the Airborne attempt to seize a bridgehead over the Rhine. On 21 September 1944, as the V1 threat had receded, the Tempest squadrons were redeployed to the 2nd TAF, effectively trading places with the Mustang III squadrons of 122 Wing, which became part of the ADGB units deployed on bomber escort duties. 122 Wing now consisted of 3 Sqn., 56 Sqn., 80 Sqn., 274 Sqn. (to March 1945), and 486(NZ)Sqn. From 1 October 1944 122 Wing was based at B.80 Volkel Air Base near Uden, in the Netherlands. In February 1945 33 and 222 Sqns. of 135 Wing converted from Spitfire Mk IXs and, in March, were joined by 274 Sqn. 135 Wing was based at B.77 Gilze-Rijen airfield in Holland.

The Tempest's primary role was to carry out "armed reconnaissance" operations deep behind enemy front lines. The Tempest was particularly well suited to the role because of its high speed at low to medium altitudes, its long range when equipped with two 45 gallon drop tanks, the good firepower of the four 20mm cannon and the good pilot visibility. Armed reconnaissance missions were usually flown by two sections (eight aircraft), flying in Finger-four formations, which would cross the front lines at altitudes of 7,000 to 8,000 feet: once the Tempests reached their allocated target area the lead section dropped to 4,000 feet or lower to search for targets to strafe, while the other section flew cover 1,000 feet higher and down sun. After the first section had carried out several attacks it would swap places with the second section and the attacks would continue until ammunition had been exhausted, after which the Tempests would return to base at 8,000 ft. Because the most profitable targets were usually some 250 miles from base the Tempests usually carried two 45 gallon drop tanks which were turned on soon after takeoff. Although there were fears that the empty tanks would explode if hit by flak, the threat never eventuated and, because they could be difficult to jettison, they were routinely carried throughout an operation with little effect on performance, reducing maximum speed by 5 to 10 mph and range by 2%.

In December 1944, 52 German fighters were downed and 89 trains destroyed, for the loss of 20 Tempests. Following the Luftwaffe's Operation Bodenplatte of 1 January 1945, 122 Wing bore the brunt of low to medium altitude fighter operations for the Second Tactical Air Force. Spitfire XIVs of 125 and 126 Wings often provided medium to high altitude cover for the Tempests. The Wing came under intense pressure, losing 47 pilots in January.

Tempests also scored a number of kills against the new German jets, including the Messerschmitt Me 262. Hubert Lange, a Me 262 pilot, said: "the Messerschmitt Me 262's most dangerous opponent was the British Hawker Tempest — extremely fast at low altitudes, highly-manoeuvrable and heavily-armed." Some were destroyed with a tactic known to 135 Wing as the "Rat Scramble". Tempests on immediate alert took off when an Me 262 was reported to be airborne. They did not intercept the jet, but instead flew towards the Me 262 and Ar 234 base at Rheine-Hopsten. The aim was to attack jets on their landing approach, when they were at their most vulnerable, travelling slowly, with flaps down and incapable of rapid acceleration. The Germans responded by creating a "flak lane" of over 150 quadruple 20 mm (.79 in) guns at Rheine-Hopsten, to protect the approaches. After seven Tempests were lost to flak at Rheine-Hopsten in a single week, the "Rat Scramble" was discontinued. For a while, in March 1945, a strict "No, repeat, No ground attacks" policy was imposed; this only applied for a few days.

In air-to-air combat, the Tempest units achieved an estimated air combat success ratio of 7:1, accomplishing a 6:1 ratio against single seat enemy fighters. The top scoring Tempest pilot was Squadron Leader David C. "Foobs" Fairbanks DFC, an American who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. By mid-1944, he was flying with 274 Squadron. When he was shot down and made a POW in February 1945, he had destroyed 11 or 12 German aircraft (and one shared) to make him the highest scoring Tempest ace.

[Nige201980]

Great kit choice mate love the tempest nothing but brute power. Look forward to it coming together I've built this kit and it goes together really well just watch out for the resin cockpit fouling on the wheel wells that the only problem I found.

[moi196872]

Thanks for the heads-up Nige.

[Lee]

Nice choice and nice kit

[moi196872]

Thanks Lee.

[MarkVerploeg]

Very nice plane
And the source of terror for the german tank crews
Have fun building

[Coen]

Royal Air Force ground crew refuel and re-arm Hawker Tempest Mark V 'JF-G' of No. 3 Squadron RAF by the grass North-South runway at Newchurch, Kent (UK). On the far side of the runway is the dispersal area of No. 56 Squadron RAF.

Cool choice Stephane, always liked the look of this bird.
This shot with the invasion stripes just does it for me.