Military Illustrated Modeller – September 2019

 Military Illustrated Modeller - September 2019

FEATURE ARTICLEÊ

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Cockpit casting is remarkable. The replacement cockpit includes

a myriad of smaller detail parts.

The BRASSIN cockpit is a

detailed model in its own right.

The kit’s plastic cockpit is much

simpler in parts breakdown but

it is still a decent representation.

The sidewalls proved to be a bit

delicate, breaking in several places

during assembly and painting.

Barracuda Studios’ 1:48 scale seat with

backrest and harness straps was used.

IN THE BOX

Eduard continued its ambitious release programme

with another all-new kit late in 2018 - a 1:48 scale

Hawker Tempest Mk.V Series 1.

They followed up in 2019 with a Series 2.

These kits should not be confused with the

Eduard Tempest released in 1997. The new kit

reviewed here has nothing at all in common with

their 20th CenturyTempest.

Eduard's new-tool 1:48 scale Tempest Mk.V

Series 2 comprises 171 parts in medium grey

coloured plastic, 14 parts in clear, self-adhesive die-

cut canopy and wheel masks and markings for five

aircraft. 43 of the grey parts are marked not for

use, so the actual parts count is quite manageable.

All the parts required to build a Series 2 are in

the box. These include the short barrel Hispano

leading edge inserts and the later style large four

spoke main wheel hubs. Two sets of rockets are

also included, one of which could also be fitted to

a Series 2. Drop tanks and the characteristic clear

wing mounts ate also supplied.

I can't see any moulding imperfections on my kit.

Surface texture is everything we have come to

expect from Eduard - just gorgeous. There are very

fine and crisply recessed panel lines, rivets and

fasteners. There are also rows of amazingly subtle

raised rivets. These really add to the effect and the

closer you look, the better it gets!

Assembly starts in the cockpit. The seat is made

up from three parts plus photo-etched harness

straps. Separate cockpit side frames representing

the tubular structure inside the fuselage are

included. Side consoles, throttles, trim wheel and

other details are attached to these.

In the interests of simple assembly, the floor is

semi-solid with a cut out in the middle rather than

bottomless with just two suspended foot rails. You

won't see much below the seat, but if you would

prefer to go the bottomless path, Eduard does offer

a replacement BRASSIN cockpit with this feature.

Three instrument panel options are offered. One

is made up from three plastic parts with raised

bezels and switches; the second is three flat plastic

panels with decal dials and the last is a colour

photo-etched sandwich with four separate panels

built around a single plastic part.

The large distinctive nose intake is made up from

eight parts.

The wings are conventionally presented as a

full-span lower section and separate upper halves.

The wheel wells are built up from six separate

side panels that are glued to the inside of the

upper wing halves. Additional detail parts are also

included for the wheel wells.

Ailerons, elevators and rudder are all separate

parts. Flaps are moulded shut.

The tail wheel assembly has a separate leg and

mount with a solid anti-shimmy tyre represented.

An optional pilot's step is provided.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion.

a grey plastic lower frame is glued to the sliding

section of the canopy, which may be posed open

or closed.

Self-adhesive die-cut masks are provided for the

canopy and the main wheel hubs.

Markings are provided for five aircraft. The

decal sheet is glossy and printed by Cartograf.

Stencils are also included on the same sheet.

The interior of the fuselage

was masked and sprayed

Interior Green and Black.

Basic interior colours

have been applied to the

plastic cockpit parts.

Masking tape ensures

nice crisp demarcation

between the colours.