Kit: Typhoon IB

Scale: 1/48

Kit Number: 5221

Manufacturer: Monogram

Price: $7.50

Media: Injected Plastic

Decals : One aircraft with a blue/white checker tailband

Date of Review: 28 March, 1996

Comments:  The Mongram Typhoon is one of those kits that makes infrequent appearances on the shelves.  It is not because it is a bad kit as that is far from the truth.  I believe it is because it is just not a very glamorous aircraft.  It is also not popular in the U.S. because it is not American.  That is too bad, as this is one of Monogram's better all around kits.  I had no real fit problems with any part of it.  It is a basically simple kit with no moving parts and no fiddly stuff.  The major area of improvement is, of course, the interior.  While Monogram interiors are generally pretty well detailed, the Typhoon interior looked a little bland.  Fortunately there was help in the form of an Airwaves brass detail set.  Almost all the bits are for the interior and include seat, extra boxes on the sides, rudder pedals and seatbelts.  For the outside, there is a boarding step.  The kit really does not need much else.

The wheelwells are boxed in and have some detail, the canopy is in two parts so you can show off the newly detailed interior. You have a great set of underwing rockets with launch rails and the gun barrels only need the ends hollowed out. A nice touch is clear parts for the landing lights and the wing tip formation lights (which are a touch undersize).

What is really needed is a good decal sheet as the Monogram offering is one of those glossy ones that I am not real fond of. To the rescue came Arrow Graphics from Canada.  They offer a Typhoon sheet for the aircraft of one of Canada's aces.  The sheet comes complete with his kill marks which include 2 Japanese, two Italian, and two German kill marks.  Using this sheet requires only  a minor conversion.  His Typhoon was one of the early IBs so the four-bladed propeller that comes in the kit is inappropriate and must be changed to a three-bladed unit.  While it seems like an easy task, it does require cutting off three of the four blades and placing two of the others at the proper angle.  Not a simple task, but easily done with the help of modeling clay and a circular protractor.

 The finished kit looks very good and is surprising hassle-free and easy to build.  It is finished in typical late war British scheme of sea grey/green over light aircraft grey with yellow wing leading edge ID marks and a sky fuselage band and spinner.  It is no longer in any of the catalogues, but if you find one, pick it up and give it a try.  Recommended for those with some previous experience.