Eduard released this long-awaited kit in 1/48 scale during 1997. Previous offerings have been available in this scale (including AMT/ERTL), but needed a lot of work to bring them up to an acceptable standard.

Eduard's kit represents a late version Tempest V. The main distinguishing feature between this version and the early Tempest is the absence of protruding barrels for the four Hispano cannon.

"Profipack" indicates that this kit has the optional multi-media parts. Eduard has also released an all-plastic version of the same kit, and has more recently produced a "Profipack" version of the early Tempest.

The kit comprises 66 light grey injection moulded parts on four sprues, one clear styrene part, 8 resin parts and a photo-etched steel fret. The resin covers the cockpit tub, seat (with nicely detailed quilted backrest cushion) and flattened main wheels. Photo etched harnesses, instrument panel and minor cockpit details complete this comprehensive multi-media package. The resin and photo-etch are both flawless in design, detail and execution. Options are provided to add slipper tanks or to build the aircraft as a Target Tug.

As one might expect of Eduard, the cockpit detail in particular takes full advantage of the resin and etched metal to deliver a very busy and convincing replica.

Styrene parts are better than most previous short-run injection offerings, but don't expect Tamiya quality. Sprue attachment points are larger than average, but manageable with nippers and a sharp hobby knife. The plastic itself combines the qualities of being slightly brittle, very shiny and yet with a very fine, rough texture on the larger surfaces. This may have something to do with the short-run injection process. A brief rubdown with 1000-2000 grit glasspaper followed by a quick polish will fix this minor problem. Small raised semi-circular ejector pin marks mar the inside surface many parts. Although most will be invisible when the model is assembled, some will interfere with fit. It won't take much effort to remove these protrusions.

It is important to note that no locating pins are provided for the plastic parts - so take care with alignment during construction.

A further limitation of the short-run production process is the thick trailing edges of wings and tailplanes.

Surface detail is quite good, featuring finely recessed panel lines. However, Eduard's Tempest lacks the finesse of detail in its smaller styrene parts compared to mass-production kits. Fortunately brass or resin items are supplied to replace most of these small plastic parts. You are still stuck with a pretty ordinary looking tailwheel though. And you will probably want to replace the solid grey plastic gunsight!

Another minor quibble is the one-piece canopy. A razor saw will be required if you want to display all that lovely cockpit detail.

The decal sheet is colourful, and my example was in perfect register. In addition to markings for four aircraft, full stencil data is also provided.

Instructions consist of exploded-view diagrams in seven steps. They are a little ambiguous in some key areas (see construction notes below).