"Thanks to its 2,400 hp engine it had a considerable margin of excess power and its acceleration was phenomenal. It was pretty tricky to fly, but its performance more than made up for it..."
- French ace Pierre Clostermann, from his book "The Big Show"
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used in the war.
Some of the assets of the Tempest V were its high cruising speed (nearly 400 mph using 1,420 hp), good acceleration, excellent climbing and diving speeds, especially at low to medium altitudes. All of these are vital in air combat which, during The Second World War, rarely got into the tail chasing, close-quarter "dog fights" so beloved of filmmakers.
The Mk V was a much different Tempest to the Mk I with many improvements over preceding variants. The Mk Vs received the initially problem-plagued Napier Sabre II series engines developing in excess of 2,000 hp with their H-24 cylinder configuration. The Mk V had (in Series 1) the long-barrel Mk.II Hispano cannon. The Series 1 rear fuselage/empennage joint, just in front of the tailplane, featured the 20 external reinforcing "fishplates" first seen fitted to the Typhoon. The Series 2 had more versatility with its ability to hold up to 2,000 lb (908 kg) of external stores, a detachable rear fuselage and four short-barrel Mk V Hispano cannon each with 150 rounds. The Series 2 ailerons were fitted with spring loaded tabs which lightened the aerodynamic loads, making them easier for the pilot to use and dramatically improving the roll rate above 250 mph. Also developed specifically for the Tempest by Hawker was a streamlined 45 gallon "drop tank" and carrier fairing; the Series 2 wing incorporated the plumbing for these tanks, one to each wing. As in all mass-produced aircraft, there may have been some overlap of these features as new components became available.
Unusually, in spite of the Tempest V being the RAF's best low to medium altitude fighter, it was not equipped with the new Mk IIC gyroscopic gunsight, an asset which was fitted in RAF Spitfires and Mustangs from mid-1944 and one which considerably improved the chances of shooting down opposing aircraft. Tempest pilots continued to use the Mk.IIL reflector gunsight.
Externally the Tempest V bore a strong resemblance to the Typhoon; the longer nose, thinner wings and a larger tail unit with a gracefully curved dorsal fin being the noticeable differences.
Shown here is a Free French Air Force Hawker Tempest Mk. V fighter that was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Pierre Clostermann, who was attached to No. 3 Squadron, during July 1945. Two pieces left in stock!
Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6.75 inches
Length: 5.75 inches
Release Date: June 2009
Historical Account: "Tempest in a Teapot" - Pierre Clostermann, Grand-Croix of the French Légion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre France, DFC and bar, Distinguished Service Cross (USA), Silver Star (USA), Air Medal (USA), was a French flying ace, author, engineer, politician and sporting fisherman.
In December 1944, Clostermann returned to the front line, holding the rank of Flight Lieutenant in the RAF. Clostermann joined No. 274 Squadron RAF flying the new Hawker Tempest Mk V. In an aircraft which he dubbed Le Grand Charles, Clostermann flew an intensive and highly successful round of fighter sweeps, airfield attacks, "rat scramble" interceptions of Messerschmitt 262 jet fighters, and rail interdiction missions over northern Germany over the next two months.
In March 1945, Clostermann briefly served with No. 56 Squadron before a transfer to No. 3 Squadron. On March 24th, 1945, he was wounded in the leg by German flak and after belly-landing his badly damaged aircraft, he was hospitalized for one week. From April 8th, he was commander of A Flight, No. 3 Squadron RAF. Clostermann was awarded a Bar to his DFC for his successful tour of duty. He had to bail out for the first time on May 12th, 1945, when during a victory fly-past, a Tempest collided with his aircraft. Clostermann continued operations with No. 122 Wing RAF until he left the military altogether on July 27th, 1945.
In his 432 sorties, Clostermann was officially credited with 23 victories (19 solo, 14 shared, most of them against fighters) and five "probables", with eight more "damaged". He also claimed 225 motor vehicles destroyed, 72 locomotives, five tanks and two E-Boats (fast torpedo boats). Many references credit him with 29 to 33 victories, although these probably include his "ground" kills. Recent, more detailed analysis of his combat reports and squadron accounts, indicate that his true score was 11 destroyed, with possibly another seven, for a total of 15-18 victories. |
