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Tempest II Conversion
 for 1/72 scale Academy kit

 

The Aviation Workshop

 

S u m m a r y
Catalogue Number: Model Alliance MAS-729021 Tempest II.
Scale: 1/72
Contents and Media: 1 decal sheet (150mm x 110mm) with markings for 4 aircraft, 2 resin parts, 4 white metal prop blades plus a 4 page A5 sized instruction booklet with four view colour artwork of each aircraft for paint/decal placement and decal instructions on the last page. A separate sheet has instructions for the resin/white metal update set.

Available online from The Aviation Workshop  Model Alliance (UK) website
Review Type: FirstLook
Advantages: Everything you will need to convert the Academy Tempest Mk V to a Tempest II
Disadvantages:  
Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Glen Porter


 HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron.com

 

FirstLook

 

If you have bought the Academy 1/72 scale Tempest Mk V but would prefer a Tempest II, rather than having to go out and buy the Special Hobby kit, here is a cheaper solution.

Model Alliance, part of the Aviation Workshop Publications group has released this set containing decals, resin and white metal to convert the Academy Tempest Mk. V to a Tempest II, Tempest F.2 or Tempest F.6.

The decals cover four aircraft, a Mk II, EG.D in Germany, 1946-47, two F.2s, a bare metal example, Malaya, 1949-50 and camouflaged aircraft, also in Malaya, 1951 plus a camouflaged F.6 in Egypt, 1949.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

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The decal sheet is as we've come to expect from this manufacturer with perfect register, good colour density and very thin carrier film with every marking for all four aircraft including stencils and both dull and bright red for the different periods.

The resin is a one-piece nose and wing leading edge plus a separate spinner in cream coloured resin with no bubbles or distortion. Both parts will need to have the casting blocks removed.

Propeller blades are in white metal and will require a small amount of cleanup.

 



Two different instruction sheets are supplied, one for the decals with relevant paint colours for each plus decal placement information. The other is for the resin and white metal conversion set with written instructions and diagrams to aid the modeller.

The only disadvantage I can see is that the Academy Tempest does not have a very good interior, compared to their Typhoon for instance, or the new Special Hobby kit. On the other hand, if you are happy to model you aircraft with the canopy closed, you could just end up with a competition winner with this set.

Highly recommended.
 

Thanks to Aviation Workshop / Model Alliance (UK)  for the preview images

Model Alliance products are available online from the Aviation Workshop.

Review Copyright © 2007 by Glen Porter
Images Copyright © 2007 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 January, 2007
Last updated 24 December, 2007

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