Airfix Hawker Typhoon 1/72

Neil Patrick
After weeks of fiddling around, this is starting to come together. It began as an OOB build but as usual, the lure of aftermarket proved too much and the Eduard set for this kit was used. Gunze Super Metallic paint was a delight to discover with a grain that's so fine it rivals Alclad and is more durable (stress reducing when endlessly dry fitting photo etch into small spaces). I took these photos to record what's there, because very soon it will be more or less lost forever.

The Eduard etch set is wonderful and a coat of Tamiya clear more or less eliminated the pixellation which is the price of such finely printed parts.

As I don't have a huge library of RAF references, the Valiant wings book on the Typhoon has been invaluable at revealing small details that the kit overlooks.

Rosie the rivetter has begun her work on the fuselage after the over deep and wide Airfix trenches were reduced a little with careful scraping and polishing.

Am hoping it won't be too long before this collection of bits starts to look like a Tiffie, but doubtless something will crop up soon to create more delays...

Cuajete
Looking very good so far 👍

Neil Patrick
Thank you very much. Plenty of time left for something to go wrong!

Guy Rump
Looking very impressive so far 🙂

Neil Patrick
Thank you Guy. Weapons are the next hurdle. Am presently grappling with the cannon bay and rockets...

Daniel Klink
1/72? Just wow!!!👍

Neil Patrick
Thank you very much Daniel. Coming from you, I'm blushing!

Andrea Brenco
impressive!!!

Neil Patrick
You're very kind Andrea. If it turns out half as nice as your 109, I'll be very happy (and suprised!)

Erik Leijdens
Great work so far Neil!!

Neil Patrick
Thank you Erik. Your builds are beautiful. As a newbie I'm greatly encouraged by everyone's support. It will help push me through to the finish line eventually I hope.

Erik Leijdens
Very good scratch work Neil! Those rockets look superb, especially in 1/72!! 👍

Neil Patrick
Thank you Eric. It was very slow and fiddly, but I hope worth it in the end...

Andy Ball
Hi Neil, mind if I watch...and plagiarise?, I'm on the Brengun one as we speak....you seem to have control over yours better than mine!

Thomas Kolb
Very nice job! I am impressed by your riveting skills, I cannot seem to get anything but a wobbly series of holes.

Neil Patrick
Hi Andy. I don't think you need to plagiarise me. I gather the Brengun kit is superior and I think your builds are great. But delighted to have you in the trench with me nevertheless. You've encouraged me to get back in the saddle as I have been coasting along these last few weeks with a Matchbox T34. Rockets or bombs sir? PS no good aftermarket rockets on the market hence my crazy scratchbuild...🙄

Neil Patrick
Hi Thomas. Thank you for the kind words. I'll tell you the little I know. I have used Rosie the Riveter for 1/72. The horizontal lines are done freehand not along tape. I just take the positions from plans then mark the lines with a pencil and ruler. The circumferential lines round the fuselage are marked with tape though. Rolling the wheel along the lines slowly and sighting the wheel like a gun sight allows tiny corrections of direction if needed. To my pleasure I found this tool naturally tracks fairly straight at least on flat surfaces like wings. Crises only develop on the curves...😩

Andrea Brenco
great job with that rockets!!!! Keep it flowing!!!

Neil Patrick
Will do my best Andrea! Thank you for the encouragement! 🙂

Andy Ball
Agreed Neil, no decent rockets and no 1000lb bombs….so like you, over to improvisation!! Keep going you'll be rewarded soon!!!

Neil Patrick
Will watch your build with interest Andy. Just had a thought that scratching 1000 pounders might be harder than rockets, but at least there's only two of em! 🙂

Neil Patrick
Apologies for the back to frontness, but I wanted to share the original inspiration for this build. Many years ago I was given the memoirs of a Typhoon pilot named John Golley. John served in 245 Squadron in Normandy including the great panzer-busting battles at Mortain and Falaise. The book was a gift from his son and consequently I treasure it. It's a really great book which is still available and I recommend it if you want to get into the cockpit and 'feel it' with someone who was there. John Golley's CO was John Collins who died on 11 August 1944 in Typhoon MN933 coded MR-? I shall finish the model in the markings of John Collin's earlier mount MN819 as a tribute to him and all the other men who flew these most dangerous missions and did so much to wreck the morale of the German armies in France.

Andrea Brenco
Thanks Neil, this is really what modeling is about, to me at least: try to understand men and their machine.

Neil Patrick
My pleasure Andrea. I agree. Our humble hobby seems a small tribute to such great sacrifice and duty. But that's how I see it - a tribute.

Łukasz Gliński
I see you took much more ambitious approach 👍

Cuajete
Nice progress 👍

Guy Rump
You'd never believe this was a 72nd scale aircraft. Excellent modelling Neil. Looking forward to the final result 👍

Neil Patrick
Thank you gents. You're very kind.
@Lukasz - maybe, but I've stalled recently, whereas yours will soon be looking magnificent I'm sure. I'll be weeks or months behind you.
@Guy Thank you. I'm pleased with things so far, but still plenty of time and opportunities to mess things up!

Andy Ball
Hoping you'll recommence this one? I'd love to see those rockets loaded and painted

Dave
Looking good, Can't wait to see the final project.

Neil
Me too!

Neil Patrick
Aww schucks guys! Just when I was about to move it into 'temporary' storage so I could clear the decks to crack a new kit open. But you're right, I should get it across the line asap now... please don't hold your breath though!

Andrea Brenco
Don't worry, I know how it works... Take your time!!!

Neil Patrick
Haha. Thank you Andrea. Your latest builds are spectacular as ever, so I trust your advice!