This is my diorama of a 7 Sqn (Battle axes) Tempest II, HA-426 in the original RAF scheme with sky fuselage band and white spinner. The aircraft carries the Battleaxe with wings markings under the windshield. I’ve also included a photograph of the ac at Jammu during the 1947-48 action to oust Pakistani invaders from Kashmir. (Ed Note: Photograph was procured from the collection of Air Chief Marshal HS Moolgavkar)

Hawker Tempest HA426 at Jammu

Decals are Bright Spark and spares and the ac painted with enamels and weathered with pastels and silver paint. The rockets and rails are scratch built. The Bedford QL bowser is from the Airfix kit as are the ground figures.

Other sundry eqpt is from the spares box, the brick wall is printed paper on foam and the sand bags are wheat flour hardened against bugs and stuff by a layer of Araldite. The scatter material is railway scenics while the base is card.

The second Tempest is in the scheme of the first refurbished batch by Hawkers. It’s overall silver with the brief ‘Chakra’ markings that lasted till 1948. The fin flash is with saffron forward as opposed to the camouflaged ac. Subsequently all IAF ac reverted to green forward.  The kit is OOB except for stenciling and squadron canopy.