One of the best ground attack aircraft to be developed by the British during WWII was the Typhoon. It started as an interceptor/fighter, but due to delays and engine problems it was late in reaching squadron service. By that time it was no longer fully capable in the fighter role, but it was discovered that it made an excellent fighter-bomber. This was in many ways thanks to the four 20mm cannon carried as primary armament. Early Typhoons had a door entrance to the cockpit similar to the US P-39 so these were called 'car door' Typhoons.

This sheet has five aircraft on it  with enough markings for one plane. Other insignia are available from outside sources and besides, most of us don't do more than one of the schemes that come on a sheet anyway! All aircraft are painted in the standard colors of the day which are Dark Green and Ocean Grey uppers with Medium Sea Grey lowers. The outer wings have yellow recognition marks on them. All of these planes have the black and white stripes on the underside to keep them from being mistaken for FW-190s by nervous AA gunners. These will have to be painted on by the modeler.

First is one of the few Hawker built Typhoons from 56 Sq in 1943. It has yellow stripes on the upper wings as an additional recognition marking. It also has unfaired cannons and a small blister on the upper canopy for the rear view mirror.

Next is a 181 squadron aircraft. It also has the small blister on the upper canopy. As with all the other aircraft, it has the standard Sky rear fuselage stripe which will have to be painted on by the builder.

Another 181 squadron plane is this one. However, it does not have the small blister and is a named aircraft; "Cemetery Bait II".

From 193 squadron comes 'Northern Star'. Though the description states it has faired cannons (as do the two previous aircraft) the drawing shows them unfaired. Guess you take your pick!

Finally, from 195 Sq comes this Typhoon flown by Squadron Leader Don Taylor; hence the 'DT' aft of the roundel.

Though the instructions recommend the Monogram kit and several conversions, when this sheet was released in 1998, the Hasegawa Typhoon kits did not exist. I'd recommend getting one of the Hasegawa versions.

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