Hawker Typhoon "Tiffy"
Model Airplane News Cover Art for October, 1943
by Jo Kotula
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The Hawker Typhoon was a British single-seat fighter-bomber. The Typhoon was designed to be a medium-high altitude interceptor as a replacement for the Hawker Hurricane. Delays and design problems were encountered and the Typhoon never completely satisfied this requirement.

  

Photos of the Hawker Typhoon "Tiffy"
The "chin" radiator was the signature feature of the Typhoon
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In 1941 the Luftwaffe brought the formidable Focke-Wulf Fw 190 into service. As the only fighter in the RAF inventory capable of catching the Fw 190 at low altitudes the Typhoon secured a new roles as a low altitude interceptor, night-time intruder and 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.

The design used a large shallow-angle inverted gull wing that was much thicker than those the Supermarine Spitfire. This wing had great structural strength and helped the aircraft to be a steady weapons platform, providing plenty of room for fuel tanks and heavy armament. At the same time, the thick wing was also a weakness of the Typhoon, causing drag that limited speed and problems in diving. The need for thinner wings led to the Tempest as a follow on to the Typhoon.

Here is a video of the Hawker Typhoon "Tiffy" in action:

Click Here for more information about the Hawker Typhoon "Tiffy".

The Hawker Typhoon sold well as did all Allied aircraft. Note that the plans for this kit indicate that metal parts are not being supplied to comply with War Department regulations.

  

Cleveland Model of the Hawker Typhoon

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You can buy the plans and patterns that will enable you to make this model right now. Click Here to go to the exact location on the Cleveland Website to get them.

Hawker Typhoon at the Cleveland Site
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