Tempest Mk II?

[mthrockmor]

I've been doing a little reading and research though I have not found the final answer.

I know the Tempest is a follow-on to the Typhoon. There appears to be an improved Tempest that was in squad strength, scored plenty of kills and was a bridge between the basic Tempest and the SeaFury, the Mark II.

Is this correct? If so, should it be added to the list (way down the list) of future birds? If not, can anyone provide a short, accurate summary of the Tempest development?

Boo

[Karnak]

I don't recall the Tempest Mk II seeing combat.  That said, I am far, far from an expert on Hawker birds.

[EagleDNY]

As I remember the history of the Tempest series, the prototypes were tried with a variety of different engines (some under development, some existing) which is why the Tempest V ended up being the one to go into major production first.   The Mk.II was the variant that was going to use a Centaurus radial that was under development, but like many things under development there were problems and delays and the engine just was not ready.   The Mk.V was using the Sabre II engine, which was ready and available in enough quantity to send it into production immediately. 

Eventually they got the problems with the Centaurus V radial figured out and the Tempest II went into production in Late 44 - they made around 450 of this model before the end of the war. 

[Widewing]

Tempest Mk II: Post war service, too late for combat.

[MiloMorai]

50 a/c built by Bristol Aeroplane Co Ltd
100 a/c built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd
302 a/c built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd

The greater majority were produced after the war ended.

[texasfighter]

From "Hawker Aircraft" by Francis K Mason:

"Production of the Tempest II started slowly at Bristol's Weston-Super_Mare factory, the first machine, MW374, flying on October 4, 1944; moreover it became obvious that the swift tide of events in Europe would overtake the development of the Tempest II and it was proposed that a Wing of fifty aircraft should be sent to the Far Eastern theater in May 1945, under the  command of Wg Cdr RP Beamont, as part of Tiger Force. The abrupt conclusion of the Pacific War again thwarted the Tempest and when the first squadron was eventually equipped, it was Beamont who flew the leading aircraft in the Victory Commonwealth Fly-past over London on 8 June 1946."

Note: Beamont was the commander of the original Tempest V wing. He was shot down by flak in Oct. '44 and spent the remainder of the war with Germany as a POW. Since he was also involved in development testing of the Tempest, he was apparently considered to be THE Tempest commander (expert) for the RAF.