1/48 Eduard Hawker Tempest - 486 (NZ) Sqn RAF

This was built as a review build for The Modelling News. The aircraft I have depicted is JN803, which is option B in the series II boxing. It was operated by No. 486 (NZ) Sqn RAF. Another reason I chose this aircraft was that it as fitted with a filter covering the whole of the intake - something I'd not seen before.

This aircraft was one one of the earliest Tempest Mk.V Series 2 aircraft and was flown by many different pilots in the campaign against the V-1 flying bombs. It is believed that the 26 kill markings relate to claims made by pilots flying the aircraft rather than claims by any one pilot. This total makes JN803 one of the most successful Tempests against the V-1. . JN803 was often flown by F/O ‘Jack’ Stafford, who had shot down 4 of the V-1s on its scoreboard.

The Kit

• 1/48 Eduard Tempest Mk. V Series II (Kit# 82122)

Aftermarket

• BarracudaCast Resin Seat
• BarracudaCast Resin Spinner
• BarracudaCast Late Typhoon Wheels

The Figure

• BarracudaCast Pilot  - He is quite nicely cast. He was painted with Vallejo Acrylics with a simple wash used to bring out the facial features.

Paint

• Dark Green  - Mr Color Dark Green C361 and Tamiya XF81.
• Ocean Grey - Tamiya AS 1. with some Mr Color C362  Ocean Grey spots 
• Medium Sea Grey -  Tamiya AS 11 with some Mr Color C363 medium Sea grey spots
• Black - Gaianotes German Grey
• White -  Mr Color C69 Off white
• Various Vallejo Acrylics for details

Clear Coats

• Gloss - Mr Color Super Clear
• Flat - Gaia Notes Flat prior to weathering
• Dullcoate as the final Clear Flat

Weathering

• Oil paints
• Pigments
• Tamiya Weathering Sets

Build Threads

• The Modelling News - Part I
• The Modelling News - Part II
• The Modelling News - Part III
• The Modelliing News - Part IV

The Photos

  

This last photo shows a comparison between the Typhoon and Tempest. As you can see the Tempest is significantly bigger.

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1/48 Airfix Hawker Sea Fury - 808 Sqn RAN

Another RAN Airfix Sea Fury. This one is a commission job. The aircraft depicted is that flown by LEUT (P) Keith Clarkson who was the first RAN FAA pilot lost in the Korean War (5 Nov 1951). As an aside the hockey field at the RAN FAA's base , HMAS Albatross, is named after him.

The Kit

• 1/48 Airfix Sea Fury FB.11 "Export" (A06106)
  
  Having recently finished another of these (see here) this one went together without any issues. I think I actually did a better job on this one.

Aftermarket

• Barracuda Cowl
• Eduard Seat Belts
• Eduard Mk IX Gunsight

Markings

• Kit markings for the roundels
• Home made masks for the side codes (105) and tail codes (K)
• Home made decals for the serial number (674) and "RAN" 

Paint

• Extra dark Sea Grey - Mr Color EDSG (#333) lighted so it looks right with some white
• Sky - Mr Color Duck Egg Green (#24)
• Black - Gaia German Grey
• White - Tamiya XF2 with a drop of Extra dark Sea Grey
• Mr Color Red (#3)
• Mix of Tamiya red brown, black and light grey for the exhaust stain
• Other various Mr Color/Mr Hobby greens and greys for weathering
• Various Vallejo Acrylics for details

Clear Coats

• Gloss Coat 1 - Gaianotes 
• Flat Coat 1 - Gaianotes 
• Flat Coat 2 - Dullcoate Flat

Weathering

• Oil paints
• Coloured pencils 
• Tamiya Weathering Sets

The Base

• Coastal Kits World War II Royal Navy Carrier Deck.

The Photos

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1/48 Eduard Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc Wing Commander Colin Grey RAF, Sicily and Italy, 1943

Another older build from November 2013.

Like many Spitfire fans I'd been eagerly awaiting a decent  (accurate) Mk IX. I'd built Hasegawa's offering before but it's short fuselage just makes it look a little wrong. Thankfully Eduard stepped up so I decided to treat myself to the Royal Boxing, which allows you to build 2 of the 3 sub variants of the Mk IX.

I chose an aircraft flown by Kiwi Colin Gray, DSO, DFC & Two Bars He was a Royal Air Force (RAF) officer and the top New Zealand fighter ace of the Second World War. This aircraft was his personal aircraft when he commanded No. 322 Wing in Sicily.

The Kit

• 1/48 Eduard Spitfire Mk IXc Early (Royal Edition)
  
  Detail out the box in this kit means very little aftermarket is required. The only thing I added was the bit of wire on top of the silver gas bottles. However the cockpit does take a fair bit of time assemble as there are lots of small parts.
  
  
  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  In builds of this kit now however I now use a Ultracast or Barracudacast cowl cover. The split along the centre of the cowl is annoying and it's clean up can result in losing some of the nice detail there . The cowl is the worst part of this kit. 

Decals

• Victory Productions - Aces of the Empire.

Paint

• Middle Stone - Mr Color Lacquer C21
• Dark Earth  - Mr Color Lacquer C369
• Azure Blue - Mr Color Lacquer C370  
• Wing ID Stripes  - Gunze RLM Yellow
• Red gun patches - Tamiya Flat red

Clear Coats

• Gloss Clear Coat: Gaianotes Lacquer
• Flat Coat: Testors Dullcoate

Weathering

• Oils
• Pigments 
• Coloured Pencils

The Photos

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