1:72 Tempest Bombs (1000 Lb) and racks

1000 pound bombs with racks for the Hawker Tempest in 1:72

This set from Special Hobby adds the bomb load of the British fighter to the model. Besides the bombs themselves it includes, according to its title, the racks, that is the mounts on which the bomb hung under the wing. Without them the heavy load cannot be attached to the model convincingly, and it is precisely the detail of the mount that is most in view on a finished machine.

The Tempest as a fighter-bomber

The Hawker Tempest followed on from the Typhoon and became one of the fastest British propeller-driven low-altitude fighters. Besides fighter combat and the hunt for V-1 missiles it also flew attacks on ground targets, carrying bombs under the wing. It was in this role, with bombs under the wings and recognition stripes on them, that the machine most often appeared over western Europe in the last year of the war.

Building and painting tips

Remove the mold release agent from the resin parts and cut the casting blocks off so that the shape of the bomb tail stays intact. Fit the racks according to the drawing in the instructions of the base kit so that the spacing against the wing is right; try them dry first. Spray the bombs separately from the model while they are still on a holder, and leave the colored bands for last. Drill the holes for the mounts before you glue the wing together.

Who the set is for

• Builders of British fighter-bombers in 1:72 scale
• Modelers who want to build the machine armed for ground attack
• Anyone interested in documenting the closing phase of the war in western Europe
• Builders used to working with resin