The Hawker Typhoon

The Hawker Typhoon was designed as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane, and was intended to be a medium to high altitude interceptor, However, several design problems did not permit the Typhoon to meet this requirement. Initially the Typhoon Mk Ia was fitted with twelve .303 calibre machine guns, while the later version, the Mk. Ib, was fitted with four 20 mm Hispano Mk. II cannons.

Decal Sheet Contents

The subject of this review is a decal sheet that is 2 3/4" wide by 4" long, and includes national markings for one aircraft. Two sets of top wing insignia are included, along with the fuselage side and underwing markings, as well as the fin flash.

The latest journal of Cross & Cockade International - Winter 2015, features a photo of Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8 B-291 of 15 TS in the snow during winter 1917-18 on the cover. The rear cover shows the result of an apparent RAF B.E. 12b collision just outside Penston aerodrome on April 28, 1918. This issue also includes a separate A2 size sheet in color covering Ordnance Survey maps that are marked up with the location of WWI aviation interest sties in Ireland. The back of this foldout provides maps showing RAF Areas and Groups for April 1918, November 1918, June 1919, and January 1920.

Note: The $40 price is for the 4-issue subscription.

This small brass PE kit is packed in a zip-lock bag attached to a peg hangar which protects the item. It consists of one fret with two identical fence sections. The fence is 0.2 mm (just under 1 scale inch) thick with slight raised detail on the out facing side to give some dimension. Removed from the fret they are 35.6 mm tall (4.08 scale feet) and 43 mm wide (4.9 scale feet) You need to fold over a small section at each end to attach to a fence post (not included). Plastruct square posts will work for this. There are bolt heads etched into the edge to add realism.

Removing the parts from the fret was very easy. The website recommends a PE folding tool to fold over the bends and this is probably a good idea. I used a straight edge with a flat edged X-Acto blade and had some difficulty. In working with these, the finials at the top of each rail are easily bent, but the brass is resilient enough to bend them back without permanent damage.