Scale Aviation Modeller International — November 2017

the kit’s detail is required.

The engine is surrounded by and

provided with a lot of plumbing,

but again, mould separation lines

and flash requires removal and

cleaning up, especially on the

ignition harness. This does not take

long with a new scalpel blade; once

done, you can move on to painting.

The instructions indicate numerous

colours for the multitude of parts

that comprise the engine, but I

would recommend obtaining some

reference photographs to ensure

that the correct colours are used.

The fitting of the completed

engine into the airframe is a bit of

a fiddle. I found that the cruciform

hole in the firewall needs opening

up a little to ensure that the

mounting plug fits. Once attached,

more piping is added, and there is

some more fiddly work required to

get some of the parts into place. A

pair of thin, long necked tweezers

comes in very handy at this point,

particularly when it comes to

weaving some of the piping into

place (especially parts D22 and 23).

The exhaust stubs are all

separate, and even feature

hollowed-out ends. They fit neatly

in their recesses, and can be fitted

at this stage or, if you prefer, at the

end of the build. Part D18, which is

the mounting for the carburettor

air intake duct, is marred by two

large sink marks. These would be

very obvious, but they are quickly

fixed with some filler and sanding.

While you are at it, another area

that needs some remedial filling

and sanding is part D15. There

are a couple of mould ejector

pin marks here as well, which

if left unattended would be very

visible on the completed model.

One of the most noticeable

features of the Typhoon is the

under-engine radiator/oil cooler/

carburettor intake. The kit does

not skimp on detail here, as it is

made up from multiple parts, but

some filler is required at certain

points to make seams disappear.

The radiator matrix is very

finely moulded, and with careful

painting and washes the mesh

really stands out. Be warned – Part

D17, the air intake, needs careful

alignment to ensure it is fitted

correctly; surprisingly, Airfix

have not supplied locating pins.

With this part attached the

construction of the engine is

completed and it is certainly

an impressive looking beast,

almost a model in its own right.

THE WINGS

Stage 88 involves opening up

flashed-over holes in the lower

wings, depending on what weapons

you want to add. You have a

choice here of bombs, rockets,

Cockpit with injection moulded pilot’s seat

belts fitted

Completed wheel bay

Careful painting enhances the moulded detail

of the seat back rest and harness

Wheel bay roof panel with perforated

strengthening ribs

Instrument panel built straight out of the box

Outer wing panels attached

Undercarriage bays are made up from a

number of panels that slot into place between

the spars

Gun bays fitted out with ammunition cans and

cannon shells

“THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE AN IMMENSE

IMPROVEMENT OVER THE ONES

SUPPLIED IN YEARS GONE BY

10 • NOVEMBER 2017 • SCALE AVIATION MODELLER INTERNATIONAL

HAWKER TYPHOON MK.IB

006-13-FEAT-Typhoon-1117.indd 10 16/10/2017 18: