During the mid 30s, the speed of fighter was increasing to the extent that a shorter firing time on a target was reducing the likelihood of a victory due to less ammunition striking the target.

The solution was to greatly increase the firepower.

The Whirlwind first flew in 1938 and had a battery of 4 x 20mm cannons in the nose.

Due to the weight of these weapons a twin engine configuration was selected.

This aircraft could match the performance of contemporary single engine fighters.

The first aircraft were delivered to combat squadrons in Sep 1940.

The aircraft was not utilised during the battle of Britain as they were not suited to high altitude combat. Instead they were used for cross-channel “Rubarb” missions and anti E-boat patrols.

Due to the poor reliability of the Peregrine engines, production ceased after just 112 examples.

Airfix 1/72 kit completed by Steve Pulbrook in 2009.