Airfix: 1:72 Hawker Typhoon Mk.IB

The Hawker Typhoon is a British single-seat, single-engine, all-metal, semi-monocoque ground-attack fighter of low-wing configuration from the Second World War. It was designed according to the requirements set by the British Air Ministry in Specification F.18/37 of 1937, by the famous designer Sydney Camm. The prototype made its first flight on 24 February 1940, and the aircraft entered mass production in 1941.

The aircraft was powered by three variants of the Napier Sabre Mk.II engine, producing between 2180 and 2260 hp. There were five main versions of the aircraft. The first two were the fighter variants F.Mk.IA and F.Mk.IB, differing mainly in their onboard armament. There was also the Hawker Typhoon FR Mk.IB reconnaissance fighter equipped with the AI Mk.IV radar.

Although it initially suffered from design issues—particularly engine defects—the Hawker Typhoon eventually proved highly successful, notably against V1 flying bombs and German armored vehicles in Normandy. In total, more than 3,300 aircraft were built.

Technical data (Typhoon F.Mk.IB version):
Length: 9.73 m
Wingspan: 12.67 m
Height: 4.66 m
Maximum speed: 663 km/h
Rate of climb: 13.59 m/s
Maximum range: 821 km
Service ceiling: 10,700 m
Armament: fixed – 4 × 20 mm Hispano Mk.II cannons; underwing – up to 908 kg of bombs, 8 × RP-3 rockets.