Snaps epic Journey - Airfix 1/24 Hawker Typhoon Mk1b build

That's what I'm telling you. I had to take the photos off photobucket due to space issues with them.

The photos were lost when my computer developed a electrical short and the hard drives were fried along with motherboard and other components.

The kit has been replaced and along with the Car Door variant when it's released will appear on here.

Hello!

   I gotta tell you this . I haven't got the slightest idea what you are talking about ! None of your pictires has come through for me .I click on the photos and I get an error from Photobucket !

I am sorry that the photos have gone, and that I have been away from the Forum for a long time.

I have had not only major health issues but also computer ones.

as I posted above I have stopped this kit because I made, somehow, a major mistake which made it impossible to finish sucessfully. Also a problem with photobucket caused me to take quite alot of photos down due to a space issue. Please forgive me for this for those wanting to use them as reference material.

However:

The Tiffy kit has been replaced along with a host of aftermarket parts and sits waiting for a bench opportunity. I will, of course, get the new Car Door Tiffy when Aifix finally releases it. Eduard have already put out sets for it which will go into the box along with other update sets.

To add insult to injury I have been able to aquire complete maintainance manuals for this aircraft and so some extra detailing seems likely on top of the usual AM parts.

Of course, when the time comes and the urge gets too great and I have a space big enough to build these beasts the build log will appear on here.

I will have to get used to the new look and posting system though!

For Brummbar - Thanks for your message. I am sorry about the photos. I lost lots of stuff when my computer developed a short and fried the hard drive and lots of components!

However, a new build will return. Hopefully with lots of detail and no FUBAR's

Thanks guys!

James

I realize this is an older thread but is there anyway to see the accompanying photos? Thanks!  

That rumour has been around for a while and nothing has come of it. On the 1/32 Mosquito I think its way to expensive and don't forget the 1/24 Airfix one is being re-released later in the year at about the same price. I'm not saying the Tamiya one wont be a great kit but for the same money you can get the bigger one!!

Phil

They've announced a 1/32 Mosquito recently, but where have you seen reference to a Typhoon?  That would be great...

Looks EPIC!! I will be asking for this for my birthday, (I am 15,) from my grandparents, I took my best friend's advice seriously he said: "if you want something expensive, ask your grandparents!"

Just to add some info and keep all the info in one place an aftermarket canopy now exists in clear resin

www.a2zeemodels.co.uk/hawker-typhoon-mkib-canopy-set-for-airfix-kit-6454-p.asp

I have one on order and will report when it arrives as still appears Airfix are having problems

Phil

Get well soon and we'll be looking forward to seeing the new kit.

Mike

sorry to hear that. Hope you have a speedy recovery and show us when you start the new kit. I'm sure the next build will be perfect.

I have found the problem and it maybe fixable, but to be honest, this build was just a trial to see how it went together and just what I could do with it, therefore I'm drawing a line underneath this one as it has taken my frustration and anger levels beyond what I can cope with now and having learned such a lot I would rather start again.

Not even my PTSD medicine etc could help when I started to get over frustrated, so for the sake of my bad heart and my not so good general health it's time to start again and do it properly!

I will be getting a new kit and restarting in the future, but at this moment my Nephew, who is a mobile germ warfare station has passed something on to me and I am chewing paracetamol, running a temperature and in lots of joint pain so I'm staying in bed with lots of water and the dog!

The problem boiled down to the simple fact that I didn't get the cockpit section seated correctly at the rear of the lower wing Something that those of you may want to watch out for because when all the section is built up it is not easy to see what is aligning up and where.

Before I get going, I would like to point out that the fault is with me and my building skills and not the kit.

The fault is somewhere under the trailing edge of the wing root. It could be that a part is just slightly misaligned in the wing structure in this area or the cockpit section not seated properly to the bottom wing section.

I can't tell properly without stripping everything down and I have caused enough split and tearing to the wing tip during separation to warrant either a major repair job if possible, or just mark it down to a lesson learned and scrap it, get another and start again!

Here you can see the gap. it is with the fuselage and not the wing. my work on the wing was correct.

I have tried correcting it with glue and clamping, but even when the glue has gripped and cured it springs apart. this means to me that there is something wrong further in where I can't see. Everything else lines up OK!!!!

I am reluctant to try superglue as I am not sure that it has the tensile strength, and besides when it is clamped in place there is a slight twist to the fuselage.

This is me at my best when I **** up!

I Have an idea to fudge things by cutting a chunk of the upper wing out which would give me room to mess with to align things and hide the botch. It will also allow me to display one of the fuel tanks etc

 Believe it or not.... the starboard fuselage looks just fine!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone has suggestions etc.... please join in!

I am going to try and take off the upper wing section and see what is happening. I am sure that the fuselage is in correctly, so I will add the starboard fuselage which fits just fine as I have just done a dry fit and see if I can correct the port wing fault

Just had a look at the instructions I'd also check the wheel well roof is all the way down, not sure if that could cause the issue but it could be twisting the wing down at the back if its too high. Sure you have checked these things but just thinking what I could have messed up

Phil

James

If you can still get the fuselage off the wings I'd be tempted to see if you can sand something off the bottom of the cockpit assembly as it almost looks like that is causing the wings to "drop" down. I had a similar problem on my Sopwith Pup for the WW1 build and that worked

Other than that its a splint and fill time, which will be a major pain.

Phil

Ouch!  Any chance oi installing a spreader bar under the seat at the rear of the fillet?

Wow!

This is proving to be a very epic journey and I am really close to scrapping the bloody thing.

Since my last post I realised that to get any further forward, especially with the paint job I had to put the fuselage on etc. This is causing endless frustration and now I have ground to a halt because I can't see a fix for this or just how to proceed.

Now the upper wing is in place and everything lined up. Gunport openings lined up, leading edge lined up etc. nothing out of place and everything looks good. Then the port fuselage goes in and it all goes bad. Once in place and glued according to fixing points and instructions I get this......

A 2mm drop difference between the joint and a gap you can drive a tank down.

There is no way IMHO of fixing this without twisting everything out of place and warping the build!

Thanks Bob, keep following this. At this moment I am working on just how to mix and match to display the engine and some of the cowlng. An update will come as soon as the money arrives from the insurance so I can replace/fix my best camera lens.

Not only do I want Airfix to do a Tempest (and variants), but I want them also to make good on their promise of a car door Tiffy variant (provision has been made in this kit).

I also want them to keep this standard and detail of 1/24 and re-do their spitfire kits and bring them up to date..... and that's for a start. Although there are plenty of spit kits on the market and some very highly detailed kits, there is still room for a large spitfire kit with lots of detail to display.

I would love them also to do an ME 262 with as much detail as the tiffy too.... It's time, Airfix, It's time!

James, Thanks for the info. Yes, I agree all kits do have their flaws. I do have the Spit 1/32nd series from Tamiya and the Zm 1/32nd He-219. All still to be built. I prefer P-47's, Trumpeter's are good for now,but I'm hoping Tamiya does release 1/32nd versions also. I have Vintage airframes 1/24th P-47, but that is basically a Tamiya kit with a detailed R-2800 and mount. For the price and detail this Typhoon cannot be beat. So the minor flaws do not bother me. That being said, I still plan on installing the correct Gunsight. It seems from what I read on A LOT of other hobby sites, you are not the only one hollering for a Tempest. Your "Tiffy" looks excellent, good luck with the rest of your build.  - Bob    

Thanks Bob for your kind comments.....

Most Napier Sabres were a very dark green. On period colour film and exposure they could look black, but black ones were not uncommon.

The Master Model Cannons are the correct barrels for the Tiffy, but you will need to make some alterations to fit them including hollowing out the cannon fairings to fit.

The radiator mesh detailing is incorrect. here is a set that corrects them....

www.radubstore.com/index.php

Mask for the canopy

www.radubstore.com/index.php

Correct pilot harness'

QK.... Tiffy 1a and Early 1b up to summer 1944

www.radubstore.com/index.php

Correct harness Summer '44 onwards

QS / QL / QP Harness

www.radubstore.com/index.php

There is other stuff coming available. from various companies.

Yes there are flaws and gaffes..... every kit has one, but they are correctable (apart from the canopy flaw ATM) but as far as 1/24 kits go this is a gem and one that challenges.

Now if Airfix could only have done like Tamiya and ZM do with their engine cowlings and made them thinner to fit over the detailed up engine then I would be more than happy... I would be in heaven.. still. I want more of this stuff from them!

Has anyone noticed the Gunsight is wrong? The A/C that AIRFIX went by was the last remaining example, was found in the U.S. and missing a number of pieces, Fuselage panels, oil cooler, gunsight, etc.,etc. The G.S. provided is a Tempest only version.{from everything I can find}. Should be a reflector G.S. This should be an easy fix, the mount provided is correct and there are plenty of 1/24th scale Spitfires out there with the correct sight. I think for the price,this A/C is a steal, any aftermarket piece you may have to purchase, will still make this a VERY affordable kit. This G.S. issue is minor compared to the rest of the detailing of this excellent model. Yes my kit also had a defective canopy set, but no warpage of any sprue or pieces. My color pics of the Napier, in a Typhoon, during war time service, show the motor black. But as in the G.S. is only my 2 cents. James your model looks excellent, and on your word I am going to buy the Master model Hispano kit. THANK-YOU! - Bob    

Looks great!  Just saw this in my LHS last weekend.

Mike