Hawker Typhoon JP843 - Typhoon Legacy Co. Ltd.

04/12/2025

We are nearing the completion of the smaller assemblies in the forward end of the monocoque, but there is still much to do before squishing rivets. I've removed the bottom skin to save my back while I fit the last few bits! Also shown below are the internals of the footstep.

04/02/2025

Check out our newest YouTube update!

The monocoque looked pretty bare with just the frames on the fixture, fitting the skins and stringers has changed the look dramatically! This episode covers ...

03/15/2025

Another amazing build of the Coffman starter beta kit has been completed, this time by Brett from Hammerhead Model Making! Check out the video of his work:

Greetings everyone! Today I have a unique build! This is an all cast resin, 1/8th scale replica off a Coffman shotgun style Starter off of a Napier Sabre e...

03/10/2025

Our second video update is now live on our subscriber channel, please consider subscribing to support the rebuild and get early access to videos and updates!

The monocoque looked pretty bare with just the frames on the fixture, fitting the skins and stringers has changed the look dramatically! This episode covers some of what we did to address skin and stringer fitting. Remember, videos are always available to our subscribers well in advance of publi...

03/01/2025

I'm warming up to new video content after a bit of a break, new videos will be posted to our subscriber channel ( https://typhoonlegacy.vhx.tv ) 1 month before public release (please consider subscribing). The first catch-up episode is now live on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cWH8_UBFox4

Filmed and never published, this episode covers some of the parts that have gone into the monocoque since the last video update.

02/22/2025

I've not made too much visual progress with the monocoque this week as my attention was needed to help get the start of design work for the last major section of JP843; the wing!

As I'm sure many of you have seen, the design and research phase of each section can take years to get right, the wing is no different. We have been acquiring parts and information for this area since 2015, and while there are still some smaller areas to iron out, we are now moving forwards with the design work so that we can begin the wings as the cockpit and tail section are completed.

We are working with our amazing sponsor E3D Technology Corp. in this massive reverse engineering project. Their expertise for this section will begin with converting our existing wing scan files from Typhoon MN235 into a format that we can use in-house to extract data. This is a process that requires powerful computer equipment and skilled operators to ensure the scan is correctly aligned with the aircraft and airfoil datum's.

To move forwards in the smoothest way possible, my Dad and I have spent many hours this week combing through drawings and taking physical measurements to create a file of information that the Gents at E3D will be able to use to create a highly accurate final product. (dimensional details have been removed from the image below).

Once this work is complete, we can start building the design for all of the components researched so far. This is an exciting major section of the Typhoon, and I will keep you all up to date as we make progress!

02/15/2025

The first of five Coffman Starter kits has now been completed. In this case, builder David Gaspur took it one step further and made his a cutaway! Please check out his channel for the final video and his thoughts on the kit: https://youtube.com/?si=JsSS30PMUFcWxZuj

02/02/2025

Another nice little assembly for the Typhoon's forward mono section is the flare tube door frame and its release gear. This is now complete for JP843, and I will be moving onto the accessories which attach to it; the footstep and the downward identification light mounting.

01/31/2025

For those of you who are following the 1/8 scale Sabre model build, one of our Beta testers has been posting videos of his work on our coffman starter kit, check it our if you would like to see how things are going together:

Review and box opening of 1/8 Coffman starter kit by Typhoon legacy.

01/25/2025

Closer by the day!

01/17/2025

I've put together some information regarding the effort to recover Hawker Typhoon MN954 in Holland, lots of images in this one! Cover image courtesy of the RNLAF Salvage Team.

In 2019 I visited Holland to present the family of William Hurrell, RAF Typhoon Pilot, with a replica Typhoon side door; I had no idea that my time there would lead to such significant support for the rebuild of JP843.

01/12/2025

We are very happy to announce that all five Beta testers have now been selected, stay tuned for more on their progress!

Here are the names and info on the five beta-testers:

Hammerhead Model Making - Utah, USA
https://www.youtube.com/c/hammerheadmodelmaking

David Gaspur - Manitoba, Canada
https://youtube.com/?si=JsSS30PMUFcWxZuj

The Model Guy - Alberta, Canada
https://www.youtube.com/

Dave Wells - Michigan, USA

Peter Morely- UK

I am an aviation enthusiast, historian and modeler. This channel is a very simple project of mine. Follow along as I not just build models, but use them to bring history to life. "The Model Guy" is the name my four year old son came up with when I was deciding a channel name. This is not an attempt....

01/08/2025

We've got a new shop work update for JP843 on our website, check it out!

Hi All, In December I had a very productive last minute trip to Holland to inspect and sort the recovered wreckage from Hawker Typhoon MN954. This is the aircraft that I watched the recovery of back in the spring of 2024. More to come on this. I've been working away on the forward mono section

01/05/2025

More from the desk of my Father regarding the work on the Sabre model:

Why a Sabre VII model?

I have found myself to be in a very unique position. Over the past 6 years I have been a volunteer working with Typhoon Legacy Co. Ltd., doing 3D computer modelling and manufacturing drawings. A considerable part of this activity included accessing the many thousands of Hawker and Napier drawings and photos in the TLC holdings. I gradually came to realize that much of the public information about the Napier Sabre engine is misleading (external appearance). While there are a number of fine examples of the Sabre engine in reputable museums around the world, most are visually misleading, they have been "prettied up" for display purposes or have other innocent deceptions and omissions.

I must be very clear here; I am speaking of the external components and visual aspect of the engine, from a model maker’s point of view. I am not attempting to lessen the valuable presentations of many fine museums, but rather to emphasize the fact that much of what's on public display are not true representations of the Napier Sabre as it was installed and used in aircraft during the war. The most glaring inaccuracy is the use of green paint or no paint at all. These finishes were only used on display engines and never used on production models. Black was the color for all production Napier Sabre engines.

Very few parts were ever chromed and certainly not every nut and bolt on the engine was nickel plated. In two Sabre VII examples I am aware of, the cylinder heads, while looking similar to those used on a Sabre VII were in fact Sabre IIa heads. Most all existing Sabre VIIs have missing parts, notably pipe and wiring runs. These are all small details that collectively distort historical reality and over time these inaccuracies morph into something that is not true.

The development of Typhoon Legacy’s 1:8 scale Napier Sabre VII model is intended to correct some of these inaccuracies. With the production of a very few of model kits (possible 5), I hope to share this work with others.

The Sabre VII model is being designed to represent the pinnacle of the Sabre development as it was installed and flew in the Hawker Fury LA610.

Once complete, the Sabre VII model will be auction off as a fundraiser for Typhoon Legacy’s JP843 airworthy rebuild project. Any model kits that are produced will be sold individually; perhaps as early as December 2025.

Bruce R.N.Slater

12/25/2024

Wishing all of our amazing supporters a very Merry Christmas!

Whether you made a one time donation, monthly donation, subscribed to our channel, told a friend about us or sent us some good vibes on social media; you have all made a difference that deserves our sincerest thanks.

Thank you for helping make the rebuild of JP843 a success! ~Ian

12/19/2024

Hello everyone!

I am very happy to announce that the goal of raising $45,000 CAD for our wing spar fittings has now been reached (in fact it has been exceeded)!!!

A massive thank you to all of those who have subscribed to our subscription channel ( https://typhoonlegacy.vhx.tv ), those who were able to make contributions directly to the fundraiser, and those who have very generously committed to automatic monthly donations through our website ( https://www.typhoonlegacy.com/donate ) . In all cases your help ensured the success of this effort and the continuation of regular progress in the shop.

Thank you all so much for your help to make 2024 a successful year for the rebuild of JP843! We have some great news coming up that will help advance progress on the project significantly; as always this will be shared on the subscriber channel before anywhere else. Please watch the "Shop work 3" thread in the subscriber forum for the exciting news early in 2025!

The next outside process that we will be saving for is the cylindrical grinding and drilling of our cockpit spar tubes, these have already been purchased and heat treated, but need the final machine work before the spar fittings can be installed. Total cost is expected to be just under $12,000 CAD after taxes. All membership payments and donations will be put towards this aspect of the project in early 2025.

Thank you all very much, and have a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

~Ian

12/04/2024

We've put together a test video with the instructions for our Beta Test Coffman Starter kit, I've uploaded it to YouTube and hope to get feedback from as many people as we can to make these instructions as easy to understand as possible. Please check it out to see if you have any advice for improvements.

Remember, if you are interested in being one of the 5 selected Coffman Beta testers, you will need to submit your information and a few pictures of your work to us. Please get in touch through our website! www.typhoonlegacy.com

This is an experimental video to test the instruction quality for our Beta test models. Any constructive feedback would be sincerely appreciated. We are curr...

11/30/2024

Many will know from past posts that we have had a 1:8 scale kit model of the Napier Saber VII aero engine under development for the past year and a half.

To help make this limited edition kit the best it can be, we have prepared five display model kits of the Coffman Starter as it was installed on the Saber VII.

If you have advanced model making skills and are interested in beta-testing this 42 piece starter model, please let us know by contacting us through our website (typhoonlegacy.com).

What we will provide:

• One packaged 1:8 scale, historically accurate Coffman starter model. (Free shipping if you donate $50 Canadian or more).
• Grant full artistic license to build it anyway you like... FYI: Napier Saber never produced production engines with a green finish - only display engines were ever painted green.
• Full credit to you for any photographs you provide of your work that is posted on the TLC website (complete with contact information only if you so choose).
• We will provide technical support for any questions regarding the model assembly, on a weekly basis.

What we need from you:
• Three photographs of your best model making work.
• Agreement to critique all aspects of the model kit provided (quality, ease of assembly, durability, assembly instructions, packaging, ETC.) constructive criticism is a must.
• A commitment to complete the kit model within 3 months of receipt.
• Provide’ work in progress’ photographs on a monthly basis.
• Agreement not to scan or otherwise reproduce any of the provided parts for commercial purposes.
• If you choose to return your finished display model to Typhoon Legacy, we will auction it off to advance the JP843 airworthy Restoration Project, giving you full credit for the build.

Preference will be given to qualified modelers who are subscribers to our members channel (typhoonlegacy.vhx.tv). Should more than five advanced model makers express interest in this beta-test project and agree to the conditions, we will conduct a random draw to select the five participants. Only the selected five will be notified.

Please share this post with anybody that you believe will be interested in this beta-test model making project.

In the following weeks, I will provide more information about the motivation for this Saber model project and some background information.

Bruce RN Slater