The Whirlwind went in service with 263 Sqn in Dec 40, flying interceptions, patrols, and some operations along the enemy coast. Later, in Sep 41, the 2nd squadron, 137 Sqn, received the aircraft, flying fighter sweeps and attacks against ground targets. In these early days, the Whirlwind was a fighter. Around Aug/Sep 42, the aircraft gained bomb carriers and became the 'Whirlibomber', flying attacks, 'Rhubarbs', against ground targets on the continent. 137 Sqn gave up its aircraft in Jul 43 and 263 Sqn theirs in Dec 43.
Here's some references.
Here's some kits.
The Airfix baggie kit is the early issue and has several flaws -- it's here for display, but not as a build option. It is the one I built as a kid back in the early 60's. The boxed Airfix kit is a later re-tool and suffers from a slightly short fuselage and poorly shaped engine nacelles but is an improvement over the early kit. I have the Airwaves PE set for it. And then there is the Pavla kit, with lots of resin and PE -- I haven't even taken it out of the bag in the box.
Next step is to lay both the Airfix & Pavla kits down on some scale drawings, study my interior refs, and make a decision.
While doing that., I need to pick an aircraft to model. It's no secret that I love black/white or black/sky undersides but that scheme may be a stretch for Rhubarbs, so I'll probably go with something later. One scheme that really catches my eye, and comes with the Pavla kit, is that adopted to support the raid on Dieppe in Aug 1942 -- but I'm not sure that could be considered a true 'Rhubarb' mission.
Whatever doesn't get built here will get the 1940's day fighter scheme in another build ....
I wil say the resin cockpit is great -- good detail and relief, good paint instructions .... and they've got a proper bomb rack with support rods and all.
