Hawker Tempest Mk. V Series 2

Hawker Tempest is know for being RAF's last piston-engine pursuit aircraft, but that is not all. The Tempest was very effective in low-level interception role which resulted in many successes destroying V-1 flying bombs. Additionally due to its agility and speed he was a formidable opponent to newly developed jet-propelled aircrafts like the Messerschmitt Me 262.

Hawker Tempest was heavily modified version of Hawker Typhoon which from the very beginning suffered with bad performance due to its thick (NACA 22) wing section. New laminar flow design for the Tempest resulted in the wing that had more elliptical shape and was some 5 inches thinner at the root than the original. Due to the thinner wing there was not enough space for the fuel and additional tank had to be installed in the fuselage.

Of the five planned variants:

• Tempest Mk I with Sabre IV engine

• Tempest Mk II with Centaurus IV engine

• Tempest Mk III with Griffon Mk IIB

• Tempest Mk IV with Griffon 61

• Tempest Mk V with Sabre II

only Mk V took part in WWII operations and was the main variant of the Tempest. Mk II entered service late and had no significant operational use during the war. Sabre IV was troubled  by glitches and integration of the Griffon into Typhoon took much more time that it was anticipated which resulted in creation of only one prototype of Mk III and Mk IV was never built.

First prototype of Tempest Mk V with Sabre II engine flew for the first time on September 2nd, 1942. The first production aircraft made its maiden flight on June 21st, 1943 and achieved speed of 432 mph at 18,400 feet. Tempest became operational in April 1943 with 3rd and 56rh Squadrons.

Hawker Tempest Mk V series II which is the subject of this build had exactly same characteristics as series I, which were:

• Napier Sabre IIA,B or C 24-cylinder 'H'-type engine

• Four-blade Rotol or DH propeller

• Bubble canopy

• Production "Tempest-style" vertical fin and rudder

• Enlarged (in comparison with Typhoon) horizontal tailplanes

• Retractable tailwheel / doors

• No reinforcing plates on rear fuselage

• Engine cooler with carburetor air intake in chin cowling

The only difference from series I was by having the four Hispano V 20mm cannons buried entirely in the wings.