1/32 Revell Hawker Typhoon (Part I)

by Brian Cauchi

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Introduction

The model was built using the Revell kit. Being a detailing freak, I put in lots of work. As the build progressed, defects and areas requiring attention were highlighted.

Engine

The kit includes a removable side panel revealing a highly inaccurate engine. I decided to uncover the upper half of the engine up to the exhaust pipes. The removable panel was fixed in place and the top half of both fuselage sides cut off. The two removed pieces were then glued together to form one cover.

The kit’s engine including the radiator housing were assembled. Inaccurate areas and those lacking in detail were accurized. The kit’s exhaust stacks, which are round were replaced with aluminum tubing which was flattened to give the required oval shape and filed down to the proper thickness. 

 

 

The size and shape of the radiator duct is completely wrong and this was rebuilt with Milliput. It has to be much larger and protrudes prominently from the underside. A slot in the duct accommodates the radiator flap actuating piston which passes right through it. The radiator supplied was also rebuilt since this is very small. Pipes and wires were added onto the firewall as were fastening eyes for the engine covers. Engine bearers running from the main horizontal supports to the firewall were also constructed. 

Fuselage

The fuselage was checked for accuracy against 1/32nd scale plans and no particular defects were noted. The tail wheel area was detailed although most of this does not show in any case. The cockpit area on the fuselage halves was detailed next. Internal framing was made from plastic strip. Wiring and other items of equipment were than added just beneath the windshield. The tail reinforcing plates were replaced with plastic sheet sections.

Cockpit Area and Canopy

The Typhoon cockpit, like all Hawker fighters, was built around a tubular structure. All items in the cockpit such as the instrument panel, side consoles and equipment, wiring and even the seat armour were attached to this structure. This structure was duplicated and all the cockpit accessories were fixed onto it. All details including the side consoles, switches levers and knobs, the control column, the instrument panel and the pilot’s seat were scratchbuilt. Photoetched seat belts from Teknics were used. 

Brian 

 

(Editor's Note- Due to the large number of detail photos that Brian provided with his article, we've split it into three segments.  Stay tuned for Part II, coming Thursday!)

To read Part II of Brian's Article, click here.

To read part III of Brian's article, click here.

Photos and text © by Brian Cauchi