The most celebrated Tempest pilot was Pierre Clostermann, a French pilot serving with the RAF. Virtually all Tempest model kits come with decals of his registration JFE and the Lorraine Cross under the cockpit. His a/c was christened "Le Grande Charles".
Ron, e-mail, 15.08.2014 03:58
The new Mk V 20mm Hispano finally upgraded the rate of fire to 750 rpm for the Tempest. Till then, the Hispano did 600-700 rpm. It was more reliable too, in exchange for shorter barrels and less cold weather troubles. Muzzle velocity was only a touch less at 840 fpm. US Hispanos were even less reliable than the Mk II RAF Hispano cannon. Even the M3 post-war Hispano was unreliable! The Hispano 20mm cannon was otherwise very hard-hitting.
The low velocity Axis 20mm cannons at least had rough parity in weight per shell (Bf 109 and A6M2). Later velocity became acceptable (Mauser and Type 99-II). But the Type 99 was slower than the Hispano Mk I.
The lighter mine round of the Mauser 20mm compensated with the most effective HE results of any 20mm WW2 fighter cannon.
The lighter 20mm IJAAF and Russian shells compensated with rapid rate of fire. The Ho-3 was the exception with the heaviest shell and only 400 rpm but best velocity. This was altered with the Japanese army Ho-5. This is the fastest 20mm (850 rpm) but lightest HE shell. The Russian ShVAK 20mm was almost as light and almost as fast. The B-20 Russian light cannon was at least as good but barely saw action in WW2, like the Hispano Mk V.
Ron, e-mail, 09.01.2014 11:37
Strike the previous comment about the 805 kph. After rereading the context I am corrected again. That was for the Typhoon. Sorry.
Ron, e-mail, 09.01.2014 11:29
Correction to my previous post: I believe the Tempest V terminal dive of mach .83 is closer to 550 mph (though I've seen 632 mph for mach .83 level speed conversion, not dive). I've also seen 560 mph before but not much faster for the dive of the Mk V. The Tempest dive speed in the text at the top of the page of 805 kph (500 mph) may be for the slower Tempest II in the photo. Of course the Mk II was not in action in WW2 like the Mk V.
Bernae cross, e-mail, 26.10.2012 20:01
Squadron Leader. Neville Duke, flew a Tempest London to India, late forties,I believe,and beat the record made by a Vampire.
Rufus Heald, e-mail, 07.09.2010 18:32
It is a shame that you have no deent photographs of the Mk 5 or Mk 6. The tempest was a lovely aircraft to fly but an absolute bitch on the ground. it is the only aircraft I know where you have to use the brakes on take off in order to keep straight. - Full trim and full rudder wer not sufficient to maintain directional control. An outstandingly strong aircraft it could absorbe a lot of battle damage ( I had the holes in mine to rpove it !) The Sabre engine had a reputation of failing frequently but mine never missed a beat in tewo operational tours - one in the Mk6 and one in the Mk2. If I had to fight I would prefer a Tempest to any of it's contemporaries of the same vintage
Ron, e-mail, 16.07.2010 03:34
Temp V was nearly as good in WW2.
James Walby, e-mail, 07.07.2010 04:58
Flight Oct 7 1948 P 422, perfofmance figures for Tempest 6 viz [Sabre 7 @ + 17.5 lbs boost]418mph @S.L.;435mph @6000ft;455mph@17000 ft, not bad numbers.
James Walby, e-mail, 07.07.2010 04:57
Flight Oct 7 1948 P 422, perfofmance figures for Tempest 6 viz [Sabre 7 @ + 17.5 lbs boost]418mph @S.L.;435mph @6000ft;455mph@17000 ft, not bad numbers.
Ron, e-mail, 07.07.2010 03:32
When flown in company with Spitfires IX, XIV, P-51C, P-47D, Bf 109G, and Fw 190A (by The Air Fighter Development Unit). The Temp' out dove all of them! It out rolled all at 400-500 mph as well. How do I explain the discrepancy in dive between the Temp' and the Spit' XIV I posted already? I don't know, but I will repeat that these results were in a group test on the same day and air temperature. Perhaps the bubble canopy Spit' XIV is less stable diving than the razorback model (like with the P-51 or P-47, but here even the bubble top P-47 out-dives the Malcom hood P-51 fast-back!). Just food for thought. In the case of the Luftwaffe fighters, I suggest their poor comparison could be that the Anglo pilots favored preserving their rare specimens unlike a soviet test pilot. Or neglect using boost to favor their own fighter by comparison (GO USA). Needless to say, research is full of such discrepancies. Just let a Luftwaffe pilot in there and everything changes. In any case the Tempest had the respect of the Luftwaffe. When at low level to protect landing jets, the Dora pilots felt the Tempest had the advantage, when confronted.
Ronald, e-mail, 24.09.2009 04:14
Tempest's terminal velocity dive speed was mach .83 or 632 mph. It rolled 98 d/s @ 290 mph. Turn was good for it's size with the big engine pushed back partly onto the wing closer to the cg. Not only could it embarrass a P-47 (except up high), it could maneuver with Bf 109Gs and Fw 190As too.
BOB NORTON, 12.07.2009 11:30
Are thier any TempestV left or any of the Napier ones can't belive they didn't keep any of these classic planes there was 800 bulit.
Ronald, e-mail, 04.09.2008 05:54
Excuse me! Where are the pictures of the Tempest V? The Tempest II (pictured) didn't see action like the V did (as your text points out). Is this a case of a print shop blooper? I hope it can be corrected. The Temp' V is a favorite of mine despite the dubious honor as the last WW2 Allied fighter loss in the West, falling to the guns of a He 162 jet.
