GB : Airfix Tempest : Pacman1

[pacman1]

Collected today for the grand sum of £5.99

[Eric Mc]

Which colour scheme were you planning to do? I was thinking of the Roland Beamont scheme as it will compliment my earlier Typhoon.

[UncleRic]

Ace. My Grandad flew these, though the name of his escapes me..

[pacman1]

Eric Mc said:

Which colour scheme were you planning to do? I was thinking of the Roland Beamont scheme as it will compliment my earlier Typhoon.

Ha, so far I've spent quite a few hours wondering what to do, with an eye on budget, time & trying to keep things historically accurate.
Other than the TT at Hendon (yellow/silver in yer face), Tempest V's seem only to have operated in a normal camoflague scheme, with the subtle splashes of colour coming from squadron insignia or coloured numbers, and for a modeller that means sourcing further decals. Not sure I can be bothered with that.
A bit boring, but I found a bare metal option.

Some other ideas..
http://www.runforcoverbooks.com/?page=shop/flypage...

At least with a Typhoon you could break out the desert paints! This guy has some interesting Typhoon paint schemes, don't know how accurate they are though.
http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index.php?show...

The kit could pass for a Mk VI, but again only minor changes in colour from propeller boss and again, decals.
I quite like this from 249 Sqn:

More Mk VI's, plus some other ideas.. http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/f/572/9/4. Ah, looky, desert camo! http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/23862... (scroll down)



Is it me or are there fewer parts in the box these days, no pilot, engine or moveable control surfaces?

I've not made one of these kits for ages, maybe best not set my expectations too high.

So anyway, after all that and to answer your question Eric, I'm thinking of playing it safe and going with the other option in the box, that of Wing Cdr Mackie's SN228!

[Shar2]

Is that really bare metal, or is it meant to be high speed silver paint?

The 1/72 aircraft are pretty basic, didn't realise the no longer include a pilot though. Years ago the pilot was all you got for the interior in some kits. Since I normally build in 1/48 or larger It's taking a little time getting used to how small these kits are.

[Bryn Pinzgauer]

I know it's not that original, but surely JF E "Le Grand Charles" is the classic Tempest?

[pacman1]

Bryn Pinzgauer said:

I know it's not that original, but surely JF E "Le Grand Charles" is the classic Tempest?

Yes, but it's 1:72 scale and I can't write that small!

[pacman1]

Shar2 said:

Is that really bare metal, or is it meant to be high speed silver paint?

I believe they painted straight over the top of the camoflague.

[Eric Mc]

Since the 1980s, most 1/72 kits have been "pilotless".

Recently, Revell released a set of 1/72 RAF aircrew and groundcrew which is quite nice.



The old Airfix RAF Personnel set is generally avilable but it doesn't include seated aircrew figures.

[Marshdweller]

Maybe I've been lucky, but each of the 1/72 Airfix kits I've bought in the last six months or so have included a pilot...

[Eric Mc]

The older Airfix kits still feature aircrew and, surprisingly, the very latest Airfix kits also do.

[pacman1]

Lack of pilots again? Now there's a thougtful reminder..