The Sound and the Fury - Wooksta's Tempest thread

[The Wooksta!]

The Tempest was one of Hawker's best designs.  Essentially a lengthened Typhoon with a new rakish wing, it looked fast and elegant, especially with the leading edge radiators.  However, this didn't cut it with the Air Ministry who claimed that they were "prone to battle damage"- a nonsense when you consider that it hadn't hurt the Whirlwind and was a positive benefit to the superlative Mosquito.  So, they stuck a beard radiator on it, turning a thing of beauty into a pig.

What if they didn't?  What if Hawker had gone for something else?  One of the early Tornado prototypes had a ventral radiator but the aircraft was prone to flutter and it was abandoned.  However, the Tempest had a larger tail so that may not have been a problem.  The Eagle engined Tempest was to have had a ventral radiator scoop.  So, what if Hawker had gone for that?

Home cast resin bits and a Heller/Smer Tempest.  The engine cowling is from a Tempest I conversion, the scoop from the Eagle Tempest conversion.

Current status: On hold.  It'll end up as a prototype rather than an in service machine, mainly because it doesn't fit in with what I want to do.

[pyro-manic]

I must say, I quite like the Tempest's chin radiator. Distinctive. This looks rather good, though - camouflaged or natural metal?

[The Wooksta!]

Camo.  To much hacking about to get a good NMF, plus all wartime prototimes were camouflaged.

[PR19_Kit]

Reminds me of a larger Napier Heston Racer somehow. Sure looks the business, best looking one of the three I reckon.

[NARSES2]

Like the look of that Lee

[kitbasher]

Yeah baby!

[The Wooksta!]

This one was never finished as a thread, but the model definitely was and I did photograph it.

Don't know why I went for NMF, but likely ease of paint.

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[kitbasher]

Nice 👍

[Weaver]

Nice one Lee. 

Was that radiator thrust-producing, like the Mustang one? If so, I wonder how fast this Tempest would have gone?

[zenrat]

Good job Lee.

 

[The Wooksta!]

Nice one Lee. 

Was that radiator thrust-producing, like the Mustang one? If so, I wonder how fast this Tempest would have gone?

I honestly don't know.  I don't think the research on the P.1027 has been done properly, I'll have a look at the BSP Vol3 reprint later.

Having looked at it again, I've a hankering for another.  But it would have to be wearing in service colours, possibly 2TAF.  Don't know if I have enough Heller mould Tempests tucked away though, although I do have a part started one that could be repurposed.

[NARSES2]

Nice 👍

'Tis indeed   

[Mossie]

I do like post war markings on a Tempest.   Looks good, bit of a trade off, lost the double chain but gained a belly instead. I know how it feels. 

[chrisonord]

Very nice 

[kitbasher]

Time to dig that Heller Tempest out of the loft.