A Tempest made for Two

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:21:38 PM

This is an idea I came up with last year after I was given a Matchbox Tempest II/VI that was sans canopy. I never did anything about it - not even thinking about it - during my nine month lay off. However, I made a start a few weeks ago.

The interior comprises spare parts from the Heller Tempest V and the PM Fury. I've detailed the cockpit side walls with some strip and sprue offcuts.

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:24:04 PM

Couple more shots of the cockpit, after painting and weathering. Few cratches with a quilting pencil to highlight the detail. Could well be a waste of time, but I know it's there.

I've also assembled the engine cowling. One of the problems with it is that the front is too square in profile, so I've sanded it a bit to try and round it off.

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:26:49 PM

Fuselage now together. I've also assembled the wings and opened out the oil cooler intakes. Notice the nasty sink holes which are a flaw in most of the Matchbox Tempests I've had. Which is a considerable number.

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:28:27 PM

Couple of shots of the now assembled aircraft.

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:30:47 PM

Stop - Filler Time!

The Wooksta! · February 01, 2011, 02:32:23 PM

And with the filler sanded off. I've added the coaming between the two cockpits now and the instrument panel for the back seat. This was a real pain to install and took several attempts, punctuated with swearing.

NARSES2 · February 02, 2011, 03:10:16 AM

So what scheme awaits it Lee ?

The Wooksta! · February 02, 2011, 04:07:19 AM

Don't know yet but I'm minded towards Indian. IF I can get the markings.

kitnut617 · February 02, 2011, 06:53:00 AM

Considering what a handful the Tempest was to newcomers, I'm surprised they never built real ones Lee.

The Wooksta! · February 02, 2011, 07:00:56 AM

I've an unfinished Fury 2 seater in Indian markings and the same kit provides the canopy for the Tempest. I've some work to do in the cockpits before I can get the canopy on. It needs some filler to blend it in at the back end so won't slide back in quite the same manner.