Hawker Tempest advertised to fly at Eastbourne

Hi All,

 I was looking for any news regarding the Tempest II G-TEMPT, there is nothing on the Ultimate Warbird Twitter or Facebook regarding the above yet they are still posting. 

While I cannot participate on Facebook/Twitter I can read post’s and comments, I espied this little snippet regarding Richard Grace’s visit to Kermit weeks:-  https://www.facebook.com/UltimateWarbirdFlights/photos/a.18282303805624…

Of interest I thought are the two rather tongue in cheek comments about bringing the V & II back to the UK 🙂       But imagine a fantasy if you will of What if it’s true ?    Personally I think Mr Grace is probably on another fact finding mission regarding his own Tempest II.?  

I also look at this way the chap ( Andy Salter ) who was working on the two Tempests but concentrating on the V has retired and Kermit as far as I am aware has put them firmly (Like a lot of other aircraft) on the back burner concentrating on his on going airworthy restorations A-26/Boomerang/The Lockheed Vega/Me108 & 109 to name but a few of the many on going airworthy restorations.

But just supposing for one minute Mr Weeks decided to concentrate on just important American military aircraft of WWII or just relevant to himself being all about aviation history as he is.  The money he would get from the sale would go to other projects when you consider the current economic climate it’s easier to liquidate an asset when you have so many rare aircraft to choose from.

Either that or Kermit and Richard could be discussing about restoring his two over in the US at some point when Richard’s Tempest is trouble free so to speak, but like I suggest above is a more likely scenario. 

Going off on another completely different tangent,  I had another thought which concerns the original Lancaster KB976 tail section that is being repaired for Elvington by the LAHC team and whether or not  this could that possibly be swapped with the one Kermit has as he would have most of KB976 apart from the mid section which I think is in Australia wouldn’t he ? 

Failing the above what having his KB976 Lancaster parts shipped back to East Kirkby to work they’re magic ?  I imagine that as they have invested in the different jigs over the years they would be by far the most experienced engineers currently at restoring Lancaster’s are they not ? 

Or in the long run does it not matter if the aero engineers who take on these projects are specialists in vintage aircraft per say and so long as they can read all the technical paperwork and drawings thus the project becoming just another job to them as trades persons in basic terms ? 

I know, I know, I know, still wearing those rose tinted glasses but no harm in wondering I imagine that like all things regarding restoration:-  1st – Cost, 2nd – Logistics, 3rd – the will of all parties involved, 4th Time to do it. these are really the main things to be considered when attempting an airworthy restoration especially.

Still when you consider what has been achieved elsewhere in the world regarding bombers or simply rare aircraft it can be done if all those parameters are met.

Geoff. 😮 )

As far as I know it has not performed any test flights so possibly a paperwork issue  which is common.

I guess it will fly when it flys

Hi All,

 I take it as there has been no further post regarding this flight of the Tempest, I presume it never happened.   Nothing has come up on Youtube featuring it’s appearance at the Eastbourne show other than the usual suspects that took part.

Can we assume also that means either the engine was not completed or they are having teething troubles before attempting an Air show ?

No matter what the cause of the aircrafts absence it is certainly better to cross all the T’s and Dot all the I’s.  So we will just have to be patient to see this magnificent aircraft doing what she was made for!

Come on team you can do it ….;-)

Geoff.

” Unflown Hawker Tempest slated to perform at Airbourne 2022

 05/07/2022

  Airshow News Europe, Airshow News Military

The Eastbourne International Airshow, also known as Airbourne, has announced a Hawker Tempest for their 2022 flying programme – an announcement that raised eyebrows, given no Tempests are currently flying.

The aircraft was included in the show’s full flying participation list, posted to their website on Tuesday 5th July. It did not give specific details given on the aircraft’s owner or identity. There are currently several Tempest restoration projects ongoing around the world, including one in the UK: Tempest Mk.II MW763/G-TEMT, which last flew in 1969, and is being restored at Sywell by Air Leasing. The aircraft was rolled out in May 2021, suggesting that it was almost ready to fly, with the operators saying at the time that she was only waiting for work to be completed on her engine. However, despite rumours she would perform at several airshows that year, the aircraft’s first flight never came and no further updates on the project were posted.

Over the last few months, rumours that the aircraft will be ready to perform at shows towards the end of the 2022 season had begun to circulate, but no event has publicly confirmed its participation. Airbourne’s website, which almost certainly refers to Air Leasing’s aircraft, appears to confirm that a first flight is very near, and its airshow debut is just weeks away.

Among the other aircraft added to Airbourne’s line up on Tuesday was a Hawker Fury Mk.II. One of these is currently airworthy, operated by Anglia Aircraft Restorations, but the aircraft is a relatively rare sight on the airshow circuit. Given the rarity of both aircraft, and the close links between them, it may be the organisers’ intention for both types to fly together during the show – although the published aircraft list does not mention this possibility.

Both aircraft will fly on three out of the four show days: Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August. ”

http://thisisflight.net/2022/07/05/unflown-hawker-tempest-slated-to-per…