Hawker Typhoon Mk1B 198
Squadron MN951
The
inspiration to build this Model came from being gifted 3 years ago , an original
small Wartime Photo of a Hawker Typhoon serving with 198 Squadron with 8 RAF
Pilots visible.
After researching
the background to this aircraft MN951, I was able to name all 8 pilots and
discover that it was flown by Denis Sweeting, who is in the middle with a cap
on, and who had her named "The Uninvited", mainly thanks to the help of
the now-sadly defunct 198 Squadron Association.
The picture was
taken in September 1944 .
I used the
Aeromaster decal sheets Storms in the Sky Part 9 and part 12 to create The
Uninvited Typhoon, with the name being hand painted on the fuselage. The JT60
Hasegawa 1/48 Typhoon Mk.Ib with Tear Drop Canopy is typical what you expect
from Hasegawa nowadays, which is high quality injected moulded plastic with
detailed engraving.
The kit itself
consists of 85 injected plastic parts, with the 8 page foldout instruction sheet
with colour references for Gunze-Sangyo paints.
Starting with the
cockpit, I built up the kit as per the instructions also using Eduard photo
etch to add extra fine detail. The interior builds up very nicely with no
significant problems, I also replaced the plain Hasegawa Pilot’s seat with
the Canadian ULTRACAST Resin Seat which has far more detail, I used the one with
no Sutton harness already moulded on, as I prefer using the Eduard Etch Seat
Belts to add real depth and realism.
Click on
images below to see larger images
The only major
construction hurdle of the entire kit was the fitting of the fuselage inserts
(J1, 2, & 4) that permit Hasegawa to offer both the early and later variants
of the Typhoon with the same basic mould. As is usually the case, the inserts do
not fit all that well and some puttying was needed. I chose to install the
inserts so they would line up with the panel lines and the basic curvature of
the fuselage. This left a small gap along the spine joins that required filling.
In addition, since the rear portion of the inserts does not fall along panel
lines, putty was required there also.
This was the only
bad mark that I gave the kit. Unfortunately, it changes the build from an
incredibly easy one capable by anyone to a slightly more complex build best left
to modelers with some experience at lining up parts and gap filling.
Main wing assembly
and installation was flawless, without the all too typical Hasegawa wing root
gap. Filing off the mould lines and dry fitting the horizontal stabilizers will
also permit a flawless, putty free installation. After a quick sanding down of
all the joins (no putty needed) the model visited the paint shop where it was
painted, decaled, and weathered before final assembly took place.
For final assembly I
installed all the landing gear components, 8 Rockets, fuselage pieces and
fitted the Ultracast 4 bladed propeller and Engine Exhausts, both of which are
highly recommended, as they are far better than the kit examples with the
exhausts having hollow tips, unlike the Hasegawa exhausts.
I also used the
Ultracast Radiator with Eduard photo etch added, the reason for fitting the
Resin Radiator is because the Hasegawa Hawker Typhoon Radiator is inaccurate,
as there is no ‘ X ‘ fitted to the inner circle of the radiator unlike the
real aircraft.
Please note that the
sole surviving RAF Museum Hawker Typhoon at Hendon has a false radiator fitted
as the original was lost whilst in America postwar.
The final addition
to the model was that I used MONONGRAM Wheels as they are non-flattened, and I
prefer this look.
The upper surface
colours were Gunze Sangyo Aqueous Hobby Color H-330 Dark Green and H-75 Dark Sea
Grey.
Lower surfaces were
painted a mix of 70% H-307 Grey and 30% H-11 Flat White.
I applied MicroSol
setting solution and the decals responded very well to the setting solution with
no permanent wrinkling.
After drying
overnight, I wiped the decals off with a Polly S Plastic Prep to remove any
residue and after drying I shot a very light coat of Future thinned with rubbing
alcohol (50:50 mix) over the decals to seal them.
For weathering, I
chose to accentuate the engraved panel lines and surface detail with pre-paint
undercoat and panel wash with black paint .
David Walker
Click on
images below to see larger images
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