Eduard Hawker Tempest V 1:48 – (Richard A)

Full Review with Richard Allen

Just before we get started, here’s a look at how it all turned out…

Opening thoughts

After completing my recent Airfix 1:48 Sea Fury and Eduard 1:48 Tempest II, I was keen to continue with this Hawker theme and saw the Eduard 1:48 Hawker Tempest V as a great opportunity to build on this project and show the evolution of this classic fighter.

The Hawker Tempest V was a development of the Typhoon, and was initially going to be named Typhoon II, however with the major changes from the initial Typhoon, especially wing (width) Hawker decided on a new name of Tempest for this aircraft.

Eduard provide several variants of the Tempest to build in 1:48 scale, both as Profi-Pack and Weekend Edition kits, although tempted by the highly detailed photo etch laden Profi-Packs, I personally prefer the more basic (and cheaper) Weekend Editions, which, with outsourced seat harnesses, IMO provide the perfect balance of great kits, at very competitive prices.

The Eduard 1:48 Tempest V Weekend Edition was therefore in the livery of Roland Prosper “Bee” Beamont, the perfect option for me.

References

Scalemates Website
eduard
Scale Modelling Now
Internet Images.

The Plan

Roland Beamont’s Tempest V is well represented in the modelling world, with Airfix providing a 1:72 kit, Revell a 1:32 version and Special Hobby with also a 1:32 Tempest of Sqn Ldr Beamont’s iconic aircraft. The Revell offering is in fact a re-box of the Special Hobby, which I have recently built, but that is another story!

Eduard provide two options of Beamont’s aircraft, within this Weekend Edition release, plus three other schemes, with various Operation Overlord invasion stripes or the basic grey green camouflage scheme. My choice was for the basic scheme, however, with invasion stripes painted under the wings. I chose this option, primarily as I have already finished the Revell 1:32 Tempest with fuselage stripes, and was looking for something a bit different, but carrying on with the same theme.

Schemes available:

Option chosen:

Read on…