Hawker Typhoon JP843 - Typhoon Legacy Co. Ltd.

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 Saber 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 Saber 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 Saber 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 Saber 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

11/28/2024

Sabre VII Beta Testers Sought!

After 2 years and approximately 2,500 man hours of research, 3D CAD work, reverse engineering, 3D printing, micro mold making, packaging design, file management, production logistics and much more, we are coming up to a notable milestone.
Most of the production masters for the major parts on the 1:8 scale Napier Saber VII model have been completed. Furthermore, all the parts for the upper auxiliary drive case have been cast and test fitted.
The first milestone in this project is that we now have tested and produced all the parts needed to build five units of the Coffman Starter Display Model. (Type S/4, 34 parts)
These five starter kits will soon be available to a select group of five master model makers to beta test the model. All announcements will first be published on our paid channel forum (typhoonlegacy.vhx.tv) regarding how to be involved in beta testing this display model and other related Sabre VII modeling activities. Preference will be given to subscribers who meet the selection criteria.
Please subscribe to our (typhoonlegacy.vhx.tv) channel for further developments and don't hesitate to share this posting with anybody that may have an interest in this model or the Hawker JP843 project.

11/22/2024

Hi All! I've put some information together for those who are thirsty to know what's going on with the monocoque section, please check it out on our website with the link below. Please also check out the donate tab if you are able to help out, we are currently sitting at 96% funding for spar fitting completion!

We've now completed fitting the skins and primary stringers to the mono section and have moved on to the busy forward section of the monocoque. This is the "fairing" area forward of frame "A".

11/14/2024

We are sitting at 93% funded, so very close to the completion of JP843's wing spar fittings! These components are very complex, but key to being able to start putting the cockpit section together. With the help that we have received, we will certainly be starting the cockpit immediately after the monocoque assembly is complete! Please follow the link for our update: www.typhoonlegacy.com/blog/funding-update

11/10/2024

Progress on the new cockpit main spar fittings is steaming ahead. As many of you may recall, these are the first eight parts required to begin the assembly of our cockpit section. All spar fittings are now through heat treatment and under the finish machining phase. More news on these coming soon.

10/02/2024

I've been a bit quiet on social media for a few months, but it's not for lack of work I can assure you! Our most recent episode is live on YouTube now, please head over and check it out!

All of our video content is first posted on our subscribers channel: https://typhoonlegacy.vhx.tvPlease consider subscribing to help us return JP843 to the a...

07/02/2024

Work continues on the 1/8 Scale Sabre VII...

06/29/2024

We've launched our second episode of the Typhoon in detail on YouTube, please head over to our YouTube page and check it out!

A brief introduction into the key fixtures and tooling that have been instrumental in the early production of new assemblies for JP843, turns into a discussi...

06/19/2024

Another bit of exposure for the project from Global News BC. Thank you Jay and Cliff!

06/19/2024

Congratulations to Rachel Gildersleeve on winning the sealed bid auction for the signed limited print "Going Down". All proceeds will be going directly into the rebuild. An e-mail has been sent your way with instructions.
Thank you to everyone who bid! ~Ian

05/28/2024

Our latest blog post contains some great information which shows how much work has been done to date!

For the last few weeks, my Dad and I have been working on our new airshow display with hopes of introducing a larger local audience to the project. We’ve just completed the first show, and are now all ready for the second one coming up in July (Wings and Wheels Campbell River July 14th). A massive...

05/21/2024

Silent Auction Alert!
With the generous donation of "Going Down" framed print 7 of 25 by Mark Fitzpatrick, we have launched a silent auction to help raise funds for the rebuild. All bidding is in Canadian funds, minimum bid is $250 CAD. Bidding is open until June 18th at midnight PST. For more information, or to place a bid, please follow this link:
https://www.typhoonlegacy.com/funding-campaigns

05/11/2024

If you want to know more about the project, check out the new podcast series! Our first episode is live now: https://youtu.be/jP5qUeHGHJ0

05/07/2024

It is very exciting to see such critical components taking shape!
We've hit 70% with our fundraising goal, thank you to everyone who has donated to make this happen. donations can be made securely https://www.typhoonlegacy.com/donate

More information on the spar fitting production can be found on our blog: www.typhoonlegacy.com/blog/fitting-in