Hawker Tempest II, SN 12177 - Key Points

Why a Tempest?

* Extremely rare. Only 11 (counting incomplete scraps!) left out of over 1400 built and NONE are currently airworthy (only perhaps three are ever likely to become airworthy). (http://www.hawkertempest.se)

* The fastest piston-engine/prop fighter of WWII. Fastest WWII Allied fighter aircraft, period.

* By far the most successful aircraft used against the German V1 "Buzz Bomb". (http://www.hawkertempest.se/v1.htm) (http://www.hawkertempest.se/mpg/v1kill.mpa)

* Best Allied aircraft to combat German Messerschmitt Me 262 turbojet aircraft: "The Messerschmitt Me 262's most dangerous opponent was the British Hawker Tempest - extremely fast at low altitudes, highly-maneuverable and heavily-armed." (Hubert Lange, Me262 pilot)

Why this Tempest?

* Exceptionally well preserved/restored. This aircraft has essentially no corrosion and is in far better condition than any other Tempest available. Documentation of extensive restoration work done in England conforming to CAA requirements: fuselage firewall back, control surfaces (except flaps), wings, gear.

* Nearly complete. No propeller blades, engine cowl, nose case, and 20MM cannons, but every other major assembly and most minor parts are included. Centaurus XVIII nose case included and believed to be better/stronger case than original.) Prop blades available.

* Two spare Bristol Centaurus XVIII engines, included as part of this package! We have many cylinder sleeves and, visually, we have more than a set of good ones (not yet tested). Outside expert advises us Centaurus XVIII sleeves can be used in Centaurus VI engine.

* Can be made a flier more quickly/at lower cost than any other Tempest in existence.

* The ONLY Tempest NOT owned by RAF Museum, IAF Museum, Kermit Weeks, Nelson Ezell, or Tempest Two, Ltd.

Hawker Tempest II, SN 12177 - Overview

This aircraft is a rare item and is probably best suited to a flying museum or to someone who will restore it to flying condition and maintain it to the highest standards, as we believe it to be the most original, best preserved Hawker Tempest II in existence. It is also almost certainly the fastest-to-flight/least expensive Tempest project available. Whoever completes this project and brings the plane back to flying condition will have an exceptional nice and rare aircraft and one worth many times our asking price. The plane is currently in storage in central France. We can show it by appointment to serious, qualified prospective buyers (e.g., with bank confirmation of available funds). It is in remarkably good condition: really well preserved, mostly restored, no corrosion, essentially complete. We have a Centaurus XVIII nose case to go with the project, which we have been told is usable on the Centaurus VI engine and is a better/stronger nose case than the original Centaurus VI nose case. We believe we can secure the prop for this project, also. It is the nicest/cleanest/most well preserved WWII-era project I’ve ever been involved with. You can see many detailed photos of the aircraft below. We'd be happy to respond to further questions via email or to coordinate a call with you, etc., at your convenience.

Morgan Perry +1.206.335.7710

morgan@airborneattitude.com

This Tempest has a significant place in service in WWII history:

• First or second Tempest II made by Bristol Aeroplane Co. and put into RAF service, probably the first (see below).
• The only Tempest II to be sent to Handling Squadron. (Royal Air Force Aircraft MA100-MZ999, 1991, Air Britain, Ltd.)
  • Handling Squadron was part of the Empire Central Flying School and was lead by Wing Commander G.V. Fryer from February 1944 - July 1946. "Handling [Squadron] was able to prepare the handling notes for each type very early on in its service career." From 1943 through "the remainder of the war, the Squadron continued to receive new types and marks of British and American aircraft, to fly them, assess their handling qualities...some sixty different types or marks of powered aircraft and gliders were flown and described."  "It would be arranged that the first aircraft of each new type available to the RAF would go to Handling Squadron." ( http://handlingsqn.org/teams/history.htm )
• Toward the end of WWII or after the war, most Tempest IIs -- including SN 12177 -- were "tropicalized" with long-range tanks and desert air filtration for use in Africa and Asia.

Hawker Tempest II SN 12177/MW-376/G-BSHW
Major Parts and Assemblies Inventory

Near Valence, France: Hawker Tempest II airframe and parts AS IS, WHERE IS:

1 fuselage, firewall back, including:

Canopy, reserve fuel tank, cockpit with pilot seat, control stick, left and right instrument panels and instruments (no center instrument panel), engine controls, rudder and brake pedals; undercarriage, installed tail wheel assembly and tire

1 center windshield

2 side windshields

2 wing tanks, disassembled

1 leading-edge fuel tank

1 set of wings on stands, except 1 leading edge and fuel tanks need to be installed

1 set of ailerons

1 set of elevators

1 set of horizontal stabilizers

1 rudder, recovered

1 set of flaps, requiring overhaul

Several Flettner/servo and/or trim tabs

1 engine mount and ring

1 set of main landing gear

1 set of gear doors

1 set of main tires and wheels and a spare main wheel

2 sets of brake assemblies (i.e., 4 main brake assemblies)

2 Bristol Centaurus engines, disassembled, including:

1 Bristol Centaurus V/VI engine minus nose case, including pistons, cylinders, sleeves, block, rods, cams, crank, heads, exhausts, carburetors, super charger, magnetos, wiring harness, and shotgun starter

1 Bristol Centaurus XVIII engine, incomplete but including pistons, cylinders, some sleeves, block, rods, cams, crank, heads, and some exhausts and accessories

Miscellaneous Tempest or other aircraft parts including a 4-bladed propeller hub, a spinner, a nose ring cowling, small parts, pieces, farings, levers, rods, wiring, sheeting, bushings, pins, bearings, cables, etc.

In Monroe, Washington, USA: AS IS, WHERE IS:

1 Sea Fury Bristol Centaurus engine core, partially assembled, including: 18 pistons and rods, 18 cylinders, 18 sleeves, 1 block, 1 main crankshaft, 1 super charger, 1 complete set of intake pipes from super charger to cylinders, and nose case, with no accessories and no cylinder heads

18 Bristol Centaurus XVIII cylinder heads, 12 new and 6 used

1 Hawker Tempest II gun site

1 Hawker Tempest II original shoulder harness

1 Hawker Sea Fury propeller hub

5 Hawker Sea Fury propeller blades, bent

A collection of Centaurus-powered Hawker Sea Fury exhaust parts, including:

9 new “Y” pipes

7 new long “S” pipes

8 new short “S” pipes

2 new “lazy J” pipes

2 new “stubby J” pipes

3 “hook J” pipes, 2 new & 1 used, one of the new with flange

9 new flanged 90-degree pipes

8 mating half heat shields for “hook J” pipes (2 photographed on hook J pipe)

18 short heat shield rings

Various exhaust fittings, brackets and attachments

Documentation of registration and repair work:

1 file box of approximately 60 pages of technical documentation of prior work on Tempest SN 12177

No log books for engine, airframe, propeller or other

Hawker Tempest II, SN 12177 - Chronological History