https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest
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, intended to address the Typhoon's unexpected fall-off of
performance at high altitude by replacing its wing with a thinner laminar flow
design. It emerged as one of the most powerful fighters of the war, and was
faster at low-level than all other propeller-driven aircraft.
In service, Tempests also carried two specially designed, streamlined, drop
tanks of 45 gal (204 l) giving a maximum of 360 gal (1,636 l) and an operational
radius of 500 mi (805 km) Another important feature of the new wing was Camm's
proposal that radiators for the new Napier Sabre IV engine be fitted into the
leading edge of the wing inboard of the undercarriage. This eliminated the
distinctive "chin" radiator of the Typhoon and improved aerodynamics.[3] A
further improvement of the Tempest wing over that of the Typhoon was the
exceptional, flush-riveted surface finish, essential on a high performance
laminar flow airfoil.[7] The new wing and airfoil, and the four-bladed
propeller, eliminated the high frequency vibrations that had plagued the
Typhoon.
Role
Fighter
Manufacturer
Hawker Aircraft Limited
Designer
Sydney Camm
First flight
2 September 1942
Introduction
January 1944
Status
Retired
Primary user
Royal Air Force
Number built
1,702
Developed from
Hawker Typhoon
Developed into
Hawker Sea Fury
The Tempest's primary role was to carry out "armed reconnaissance" operations
deep behind enemy front lines. The Tempest was particularly well suited to the
role because of its high speed at low to medium altitudes, its long range when
equipped with two 45-gallon drop tanks, the good firepower of the four 20mm
cannon and the good pilot visibility.
In air-to-air combat, the Tempest units achieved an estimated air combat success
ratio of 7:1, accomplishing a 6:1 ratio against single-seat enemy fighters.[nb
9] The top-scoring Tempest pilot was Squadron Leader David C. "Foobs" Fairbanks
DFC, an American who joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. By mid-1944,
he was flying with 274 Squadron. When he was shot down and made a POW in
February 1945, he had destroyed 11 or 12 German aircraft (and one shared), to
make him the highest-scoring Tempest ace.
Specifications (Tempest V)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 33 ft 8 in (10.26 m)
Wingspan: 41 ft 0 in (12.49 m)
Height: 16 ft 1 in (4.90 m (tail down))
Empty weight: 9,250 lb (4,195 kg)
Loaded weight: 11,400 lb (5,176 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 13,640 lb (6,190 kg)
m), 4,000 rpm [nb 10]
Propellers: Four-bladed Rotol or de Havilland propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 432 mph (695 km/h) Sabre IIA at 18,400 ft (5,608 m), Sabre IIB
435 mph at 19,000 ft (700 km/h at 5,791 m)
Range: 740 mi (1,190 km)
1,530 mi (2,462 km) with 90 gal (409 l) drop tanks
Service ceiling: 36,500 ft (11,125 m)
Rate of climb: 4,700 ft/min (23.9 m/s)
Power/mass: 0.21 hp/lb (0.31 kW/kg)
Armament
Hispano Cannons.
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