Trumpeter 1/48 Wyvern S.4 Late Version 02820
Original price was: $78.99.$71.00Current price is: $71.00.
Trumpeter 1/48 Wyvern S.4 Late Version 02820
The Royal Navy had the distinction of using biplanes as naval torpedo bombers through the early part of World War 2 with the Fairey Swordfish. The aircraft was used in a variety of engagements, most notably in the attack and sinking of the Bismarck.
After World War 2, Westland was given a contract for a next-generation carrier torpedo bomber. As with the US Navy and others, attention was shifting to jet-powered aircraft, but application of turbo-prop engines was also being examined. The Wyvern S.4 would be the only turboprop strike fighter to emerge from this post-war development era. Even this aircraft had a number of technical issues that delayed its service introduction, but by 1953, the major bugs were ironed out and the aircraft went to sea.
The Wyvern S.4 was distinctive with its counter-rotating propellers, the answer at that time to translating that much shaft horsepower into propeller thrust without huge prop blades. The aircraft would see its only significant action in the Suez crisis of 1956 and was retired in 1958.
The Trumpeter Wyvern S.4 kit was a bit of a surprise when it was announced last year. While Classic Airframes had previously released its own Wyvern S.4 in 1/48 scale, here is an opportunity for the 1/48 scale community to have a mainstream production of this unique aircraft. While Trumpeter did release this kit first in 1/72 scale, they did add some interesting features to this one.