Airfix 1/72 Hawker Tempest Mk.V Post WarThe Hawker Tempest V stands as one of the finest fighter aircraft of World War II. Evolving from the legendary Hawker Hurricane, which dominated the Battle of Britain, the Tempest represented the peak of piston-engine fighter design.Originally developed as an improvement over the troubled Hawker Typhoon, the Tempest featured a sleek laminar-flow wing and the powerful Napier Sabre 24-cylinder engine, delivering blistering speeds of up to 477 mph. While the Typhoon excelled in ground attack roles, the Tempest combined that capability with superior high-speed performance and range, making it a true multi-role fighter. Key Features & Design: Laminar-flow wing for reduced drag and higher speed. Longer nose and larger tail for stability. Armed for both air combat and ground attack missions. Combat PerformanceEntering RAF service in 1944, the Tempest proved invaluable during D-Day operations, excelling in low-level strikes and air superiority missions. It became Britain’s most effective weapon against the V-1 flying bomb, with pilots like Squadron Leader Joseph Berry achieving record kills.Later, Tempest squadrons hunted German jets like the Messerschmitt Me 262, earning a reputation as the Allied fighter most feared by Luftwaffe pilots.LegacyFast, powerful, and versatile, the Hawker Tempest V was the RAF’s ultimate piston-engine fighter—a true “Super Hurricane” envisioned by designer Sydney Camm. What's in the box? Plastic kit Instruction sheet Paint guide Decal Sheet