I built my 1/48th scale Eduard Tempest from their early kit release of the aircraft, which was a mixed-media assembly of plastic, resin, and a bit of photo-etch. This kit can be built up into a nice display however it does pale in comparison to their updated series of kits.
Notable Kit Features:
Nicely detailed resin-parts cockpit
Photo-etch details complete the pit with instrument panel + film and seatbelts
Fine scribed panel lines and rivet details
Weighted resin tires provided (as well as plastic ones)
Good radiator detail (which you will clearly see fronting the Napier)
Separate prop blades
Build Inspiration:
I happily purchased this kit at a bargain price off of a modeler who had this kit in the stash and rendered it "not worth building" after the new release was out - Challenge accepted!
I wanted a nice compliment to sit beside my 1/48th Hasegawa Hawker Typhoon. A custom change of markings and I could have myself a 56th Squadron RAF example that was flown by a Canadian pilot.
Flying Officer David E. Ness was born in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, on 2 December 1917. He was formerly in the Royal Canadian Artillery and enlisted Royal Canadian Airforce in October 1941. He trained at No. ITS, No.14 EFTS and No. 2 SFTS, and was commissioned in 1944. In April 1944 he was posted to No. 56 Squadron flying Tempests. Ness was awarded a DFC on 13 February 1945.
Official Record of Aircraft Destroyed:
12 July 1944, one V-1 destroyed;
28 July 1944, one V-1 destroyed (half share);
30 July 1944, one V-1 destroyed;
29 September 1944, two FW.190s destroyed, Emmerich; US-E (EJ533)
14 December 1944, one Bf.109 destroyed, Rheine;
1 January 1945, one Bf.109G destroyed, Helmond (shared with P/O H. Shaw);
4 January 1945, one Bf.109 destroyed south of Osnabruck;
12 January 1945, one FW.190 destroyed east of Fassberg.
Heads-Up Report:
This is Eduard's early (1997) release of the Tempest (as opposed to the 2018 and later New Tool releases) so be wary of the kit version you are looking to purchase. The early versions have 4-digit kit numbers while the later typically have 5-digit. The later kits are all new and considerably improved.
Older 'waxy' plastic parts will require some cleanup and dry-fitting to ensure a good parts fit
Single piece canopy was heavy and none too clear (later releases may have 2-piece)
Exhausts are molded into fuselage
Kit Additions / Modifications:
Made custom masks for the markings of aircraft letters and serial number
Replaced kit canopy with vacu-form canopy
End Result:
This Tempest paint job consisted of my standard method of varying the camouflage paint tones during the spray process. I use lighter tones on the center panels (or faded areas) and darker tones are typically used along the panel lines or newer painted areas (E.g. repair areas). Leading edge yellow was painted on as well as the tail band and fuselage D-Day stripes, with some wear added. Near-black was used for the propellers with some wear added here as well. Aircraft ID Letters as well as serial number were painted on using masks cut out using my Silhouette plotter-cutter. The paint stage was followed by a gloss coat using Pledge (Floor Finish) > Decals > Oil base panel wash > Matt coat. Finally the delicate antennas can be added... although you could do these earlier and see how you fare not breaking them off and losing them.) Some final exhaust and dirt weathering was brushed on using dry tempera paints. and at last, I could place a call to 'The Hangar' crew and reserve some floor space.
The After-Build Report:
Can you build this older Eduard kit up into a nice example for your display? I think you can. Will it be more challenging? - Yes. Is the later Eduard kit better? - Yes.
If you do come across one of these older examples and the kit is a reasonable price you can make the decision. I wouldn't recommend this multi-media kit for beginners, however model makers who don't mind the additional work and have the patience will be able to build a nice kit from this old boxing. If you have a WWII Typhoon this is another great looking Hawker aircraft that when people see it and ask, "is that a Typhoon?" You can say, um actually...
Feel free to comment or ask any questions - Keep on building, gain experience, challenge yourself if you like, but try not to stress yourself out over the build - it is suppose to be an enjoyable hobby after all - Cheers
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