RC models in detail

1/5-scale Tempest Mk. II by Stephan Frappier (Vailly Aviation)

2023-09-17T09:08:48+00:00

Stephan Frappier's Hawker Tempest Mk. II. It's a Vailly Aviation design, weighs 38.6 pounds and is powered by a Saito FG 90 radial four stroke.

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/frappier{/gallery}

Text and photos:
Stephan Frappier

1/5-scale Tempest Mk. V by Fighteraces/Phil Clark (Vailly Aviation)

2018-01-12T14:10:30+00:00

This 1/5 scale Hawker Tempest Mk. V is being built by Fighteraces (www.fighteraces.co.uk) from the Roy Vaillencourt plans utilising a Belair laser cut kit. The model is to be fitted with a DA-85 cc petrol engine and Sierra Giant Scale retracts and wheels. Radio system will be Powerbox plus Futaba receivers and servos. Colour scheme to be the famous 'Pierre Clostermann' scheme.

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/fighteraces{/gallery}

Text and photos:
Phil Clark

1/5-scale Tempest Mk. V by Davide Furini (Vailly Aviation)

2016-04-28T17:43:46+00:00

Davide Furini's (Varese, Italy) Hawker Tempest Mk. V. It's a Vailly Aviation design, powered by a DLE 85cc and final weight 22 kg.

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/furini{/gallery}

Photos:
Davide Furini

1/5,6-scale Tempest Mk. V by Jean-Claude Bechet (Jerry Bates)

2016-03-14T10:12:46+00:00

Jean-Claude Bechet, France, is building a 1/5,6-scale Tempest Mk. V. He is using Jerry Bates' plans, span 87" and it will be painted and marked as Pierre Clostermann's JF-E "Le Grand Charles".

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/bechet{/gallery}

1/8-scale Tempest Mk. V by Uno Spangberg (Brian Taylor)

2015-09-27T07:58:16+00:00

This Hawker Tempest Mk. V is built by Uno Spangberg, Sweden. Uno used Brian Taylor's plans. It's painted and marked as 56 Squadron's US-H (EJ743) as flown by F/S Mac Kennaugh.

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/uno{/gallery}

Images:
Ragnar Stenarson

1/5-scale Hawker Tempest Mk. V by René Bartlomé (Olin Vitasek)

2015-07-21T06:06:57+00:00

René Bartlomé built a 1/5-scale Tempest Mk. V, design by Olin Vitasek. He made his own molds for the model, and it was powered by a Meiss R100 in-line. Unfortunately the model was lost on the second flight. After some time René decided to build a new one, but this time much lighter!

René has two building threads at warbirdforum.de. This gallery will be updated with new photos as the project proccedes.

René Bartlomé builds a Hawker Tempest Mk. V (Model no. 1 )

René Bartlomé builds a Hawker Tempest Mk. V (Model no. 2)

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/bartlome{/gallery}

Photos:
René Bartlomé

1/5-scale Tempest Mk. V by Sean Curry (Vailly Aviation)

2015-05-07T17:06:55+00:00

Sean Curry, Florida, USA, bought a Vailly Aviation Tempest Mk. V in not so scale markings. Power is a 3w75cc, retracts Sierra Precision and weight about 45#'s.

He then went into the shop for a strip and re-finish, and to get it ready for the Top Gun 2015 competition. He did choose the markings of JF-K (JN765). After about six months it was ready for Top Gun and Sean finished in 4th place. Congratulations!!

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/curry{/gallery}

Photos:
Sean Curry
David Hart
IWM Collection

1/12-scale Hawker Tempest Mk. I by Martin Harris

2014-12-06T14:17:07+00:00

"A few years ago I built 3 Mk1 Tempests (tripling Hawker's production figure!) for 1/12 scale radio control combat. As far as I'm aware, no-one else has built a Mk 1 for combat and I haven't seen another modelled at any scale. I have it in mind for a future project at a much larger scale.

Scale detailing for combat models is fairly limited - with a high attrition rate it isn't worth too much effort - but flying mainly these Tempests, I managed to win the 2008 UK national championship. I chose the prototype due to its low drag and efficient wing, plus I preferred the cleaner look of the fin and it was a highly effective model combat aircraft. I have never understood why the Air Ministry rejected the wing mounted radiators - the Mosquito proved very effective with its combination of high speed and internal wing radiators and the Mk 1 Tempest was a good 30 mph faster than the production versions.

I still enjoy flying my surviving model for fun - it is actually my prototype of the prototype! This differed in having straight dihedralled wings whereas the later two had scale dihedral breaks outboard of the wheel mountings."

Martin Harris, UK

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/harris{/gallery}

1/15-scale Tempest Mk. V by Tor Idar Larsen (Alfa Models)

2014-09-12T13:46:22+00:00

Tor Idar Larsen (Norway) marked his Alfa Models Tempest Mk. V as Pierre Clostermann's JF-E (NV724).

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/larsen{/gallery}

1/15-scale Tempest Mk. V by Christer Landberg (Alfa Models)

2014-09-12T13:33:16+00:00

Building...

Not much to build on this kit, it's said to take 8 hours. The surface details are awesome and are crying for a dirty wash later on. Decals for 8 different Tempests are included. All hardware needed is in the kit, except the radio- and engine stuff of course. First are a few photos how it looks like right out of the box, which is later used to store and transport the model in!

Decals...

As said there are decals for 8 individuals. Unfortunately it looks like Alfa Models used Richard J. Caruana's book "Hawker Tempest Mks.II to VIs" as reference. (Everyone but Clostermann's JF-E (NV724) is in that book.) I.e they have copied all mistakes in that book. I know this model isn't a super-scale model for F4C competition, but it's always fun to make a historical correct model.

To start the Tempest modelled is a Series 2, you all know what that means: short-barrelled cannons and no fish plates. And the supplied spinner is yellow! For the wing surfaces Type B and Type C roundels are the only supplied, despite Type C.1 was used from January 1945.

R-B (JN751)
Wing Commander Roland Beamont, May 1944
Series 1
Yellow spinner

D-day stripes

Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type B
Lower wings: Type C

SA-N (JN766)
Spring 1944
Series 1
I/D-stripes not supplied
Sky spinner
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type B
Lower wings: Type C

JF-Z (JN862)
Flt Lt Remy van Lierde, June 1944
Series 2
Sky spinner with three stripes in Belgian colours

Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type B
Lower wings: Type C

JJ-N (EJ783)
October 1944
Series 2
Sky spinner
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type B
Lower wings: Type C

W2-Y (EJ865)
1945
Series 2
Blue spinner
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type C.1
Lower wings: Type C.1

JF-E (NV724)
July 1945
Series 2
Red spinner
Incorrect EJ724 decals supplied
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type C.1
Lower wings: Type C.1

SA-M (SN129)
Sqn Leader Jim Sheddan, May 1945
Series 2
Black spinner
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type C.1
Lower wings: Type C.1

US-T (SN254)
Sqn Leader Kilburn, May 1945 -
Series 2
Black spinner
Fuselage: Type C.1
Upper wings: Type C.1
Lower wings: Type C.1

Test flight!

With everything set according to the instructions and with help to launch the model (always nice on the first scary test flight), the Tempest "took off" without any problems. It was rather windy but the model behaved very well. Perhaps I'm going to reduce the elevator travel (or increase expo), a little sensitive for my taste. Otherwise a little gem with lot of power!! The landing was no problem. Just be sure to keep some speed all the time.

SN129 and I are going to have a lot of fun this summer!!

/Christer Landberg

{gallery}rcmodelsindetail/landbergalfa::::2{/gallery}