Back in 1937 the Hawker Company’s chief designer Mr.Sidney Camm started work on a new project that was to replace the Hurricane. The Sabre in-line engine being developed by a Napier and Sons firm was to provide power to the new fighter design. The Sabre was a big water cooled 24 cylinder horizontal H-engine having power exceeding 2,000hp and the Air Ministry specification required a heavily armed fighter with this driving unit.

 Two prototypes were ordered in August 1938. The first was P5212, which passed its initial flight in February 24^th. 1940, but its test pilot Lucas was not too satisfied with its flight performance. The big full metal machine having thick profile wings and a ‘car type’ door on the starboard side was to be the Typhoon. Tests on the machine were interrupted when the fuselage was damaged during flight and in addition the Sabre engine gave continuous trouble due to overheating during take off.

 A second prototype underwent modifications and carried12 Browning 0.303” machine guns in the wings and made its maiden flight in May 1941. The armament was later altered to four Hispano 20mm cannons. The first production both of Typhoon FMk1A had machine gun armament with the rear part of the canopy covered with metal sheet. The later FMk1B carried cannons and fully glassed canopy, powered by Sabre IIA 2,180 HP engine. The first Typhoons in service were deployed to No 56 fighter Squadron at Duxford in September 1941 and the first combat history was scored over Dieppe on August 19^th 1942. Typhoons became useful for ground attacks with bombs and unguided rockets aimed at enemy vehicles, trains and ships. In October 1944 Typhoons from No146 wing destroyed the headquarters of German army at Dorderacht, Netherlands. A total of 3,300 machines were produced until production ended in November 1944.

The Typhoon released by Pavla Models is yet another interesting type that complement the Typhoon and Tempest kits that one find on the market by other kit manufacturers with a difference that this is the ‘car door’ type version Mk1B. It is beautifully molded with fine engraved panel lines, and fine fabric ripples on rudder, no flash and having highly detailed cockpit canopy and wheel wells in cast resin parts. There are three decal options; two of these are for a different cockpit canopy variant with a raised roof blister so that one can pick the right one from the two canopies provided. With four leading edge cannons standing out on the leading edge it builds into a fine aggressive fighter model with two of these carry the black and white invasion stripes under the wings.

 Kit parts especially the resin detail items are a joy to look at prior to starting the task of assembling the cockpit office. These consist of engraved instrument panel, compass and gun sight, column, rudder pedals detailed floor and side panels and armoured bulkhead behind seat. The side panels required slight trimming adjustment at front. All these details are painted and are not lost as the vac canopy is very clear. Moreover this can be cut and assembled in the open state with the top panel opened and hinged to one side and side door at starboard fixed open. A detailed radiator front also in resin, is also cemented into the fuselage half before they are closed. The radiator part required to be reduced in depth to meet with rest of wing detail. The tail planes have no locating holes but have a flat joining section surface so that they are butt jointed with no problem of alignment. The lower wing is single mold. This needed dry fitting so that slight trimming could be made to the locating fuselage section allowing the lower wing part to slot correctly. Once joined to the fuselage the two upper wing halves are simply fixed on top. Depending on which one you want to model, there are two different gun muzzles. The two main undercarriage stage have no less than 7 separate items each making them look very detailed when put together. The propeller spinners consist of three separate blades, which are joined to a spinner back plate and to a front prop bonnet.

 With all the parts put together, the acetate canopy is carefully trimmed with a sharp blade, trimming a little at a time, as there is no identical spare one in the event it is over trimmed. A pitot tube is cemented under the starboard wing inside a predrilled locating hole.

I have picked the FMk1B of 609 Squadron based at Manston. This particular Typhoon R7752, code marked PR-G saw combat over Europe flown by Squadron Leader R.P.Beamont. At that point in time it scored five air victories and 23 destroyed locomotives. All tallies appear on cockpit side in form of 5 swastikas and 23 tiny locos, all provided on decal sheet. Beamont later became a famous test pilot. The model is finished in ocean grey and dark green disruptive camouflage to upper surfaces. A sky band too rear fuselage. The undersides are all sea grey medium. Interior was cockpit green. I have used Model Master paints. The completed painted model was given a coat of Klear, decals applied in place and finally given an overall coat of semi gloss lacquer which came into a final uniform sheen finish, and absence of decal silvering.

 Like all Pavla models I have assembled this turned into a pleasing little replica and this kit is a must whether you are building the Invasion of Europe era types or the Typhoon/ Tempest series.