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| Hawker Typhoon Mk II-A (RAF) |
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Length: 14 1/2"
Wingspan: 18 1/2"
Scale: 1/26.5
Includes desk stand.
The Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber, produced by Hawker Aircraft. While the Typhoon was designed to be a direct replacement for the Hawker Hurricane as a medium-high altitude interceptor, from the outset several design problems were encountered and the Typhoon never completely satisfied this requirement. Other, external events in 1940 prolonged the gestation of the Typhoon (nicknamed the Tiffy in RAF slang).
The Typhoon's service introduction was also plagued with problems and for several months the aircraft faced a doubtful future. However the introduction of a formidable new fighter (the Fw190) into Luftwaffe service in 1941 meant that the Typhoon secured a new role as a low altitude interceptor. In addition the Typhoon won the support of pilots such as Roland Beamont. Through their dedication the Typhoon established itself in new roles such as night-time intruder and a long range fighter. From late 1942 the Typhoon was equipped with bombs; from late 1943 ground attack rockets were added to the Typhoon's armoury. Using these two weapons the Typhoon became one of the Second World War's most successful ground-attack aircraft.
Flight Lieutenant Ken Trott flew Typhoons with 197 Squadron and recalled:
"Rather a large aircraft shall we say, for a single-engine fighter. Terrific power. Quite something to control. I liked it from the point of view of speed and being a very stable gun platform. You could come in on a target at 400 mph and the thing was as steady as a rock."
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