Airframe & Miniature No.4, Second Edition: The Hawker Tempest by Richard A. Franks (Valiant Wings)
After a long absence, this fourth book in the “Airframe & Miniature” series is back by popular demand, as a revised and expanded second edition (2019). It now contains over 160 pages, packed with vital information that no active modeller and Tempest enthusiast should be without.
It contains:
Over 40 pages of technical information
Over 20 pages of walkaround images and technical diagrams
13 pages of camouflage and markings
100+ pages of model builds and modelling information
250 photos including wartime images
28+ Colour side views and four views by R. Caruana
3D isometric views of all variants by Jacek Jackiewicz
New front cover by Jerry Boucher
Additional stencil placement information
1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale full kit builds by Libor Jekl, Steve Evans and John Wilkes, including builds of the new tool 1/48 Eduard Tempest V Srs 1 and 1/32 Special Hobby Tempest V kits.
The book is laid out as follows:
Airframe Chapters
Evolution – The Sabre Tempest
Traces the development of the Sabre-engined Tempest variants, including the wing-mounted radiator prototypes and the more familiar chin-mounted radiator versions, before concluding with an examination of NV768 – a Mk.V Tempest used to test several annular cowl layouts.
Evolution – The Centaurus Tempest
A similar examination of Centaurus-powered Tempest evolution.
Projects
A brief survey of Tempest experimental and drawing board projects.
Camouflage and markings
19-page chapter, describing the finishes applied to all Tempest variants.There is also a comprehensive explanation of post-1942 RAF national markings, colour photos and 9 pages of full colour profiles.
Survivors
Outlines the state and careers of surviving Tempest airframes.
Miniature Chapters
Hawker Tempest kits: 20 pages with comprehensive reviews of four 1/144, ten 1/72 (including all current and discontinued/rare kits), five 1/48 (including four generations by Eduard) and a series of 1/32nd scale (all by Special Hobby) Tempest kits.
Building a selection
Libor Jekl builds 1/72 Academy, Aeromaster and Special Hobby Tempest kits, while Steve A. Evans tackles 3rd and 4th generation (#1169, #82121) Eduard’s 1/48 kits. John Wilkes builds the 1/32 Special Hobby kit. All builds are of very high quality, and will be invaluable to anyone planning a Tempest project in either scale.
Building a collection
20 black-and-white three-quarter view drawings that clearly illustrate the differences between each Tempest variant.
In detail: The Hawker Tempest
This 39-page chapter is a superb collection of information, packed with drawings and photographs to satisfy the most demanding superdetailer: Cockpit, fuselage, engine, wings, undercarriage, armament, access panels, etc.
There are also five appendices, which address the following subjects:
Tempest kit list
Tempest accessory list
Tempest decal list
Tempest production (Prototype to Indian and Pakistani Tempests).
Bibliography
The book concludes with a fold out section containing precise, full 1/48 plans for the Tempest Mk.V, Mk.VI and Mk.II.
Illustrations throughout are very good, with an excellent mix of period images, technical drawings, modern walkaround photographs and colour profiles.
The walk around section offers plenty of insight into the Hawker Tempest with good access to the real surviving aircraft and put with line drawings and the excellent colour profiles this book is a ‘must purchase’ for anyone interested in modelling this famous aircraft.
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in the Hawker Tempest – it will tell you almost everything you want to know about the type. For anyone contemplating a Tempest build, whether one of the many 1/72 choices available, 1/48 or 1/32 kits this book is an absolutely must-have! Great reference work and a great companion to the newest Eduard Tempest Mk.V Series 2 kit!
Orders can be placed at the Valiant Wings website, by phone at +44(0) 1234 273434 or by writing to: Valiant Wings Publishing, 8 West Grove, Bedford MK40 4BT, UK.
It is also available from good specialist bookstores and hobby shops.
