Steve Patterson – for your info

Hi Steve

All leg pulling aside my opinion of Southern Cross for what it’s worth is that it is a Sea Fury now and always will be – it looks like one and it flies so I have no issue at all with it and you should be proud of her as I know you are. compromises have to be made with most flying warbirds. One day when she finally retires we can all chip in and buy a stuffed Centaurus to bolt on her in a museum but for now she suits me just fine.

John P

Having had an opportunity to view the Tempest V and in a different part of the hangar the 😀 Sabre engine 😀 on friday afternoon I can definately say that they will be a very impressive addition to the World’s Warbird community once the marriage is consumated and they take to the air in close formation with their ex IAF Mk II wings.

The tail assembly is being worked on at present and is being reconstructed exactly as it was originally, as will the rest of the a/c. It is one hell of a project. All credit to KW and the guys at PPS.

Dave,

If you are interested in the history of Week’s Tempest V, check out my website! Or this link to it’s “own” page: Week’s SA-I (EJ693)

There were a number of pilots flying EJ693, Harvey Sweetman is still with us!

Christer
The Hawker Tempest Page

A reminder of the Full Patterson recipe from here: http://forum.airforces.info/showthread.php?t=27231

There seems to be some mild confusion over what constitutes a ‘Full Patterson’; a ‘Half Patterson’; a ‘Patterson Lite’; and a ‘Patterson with trimmings’ or a ‘Full Patterson, hold the banter’.

As someone involved in the brewing of the first ‘Full Patterson’ (TM) I’d like to give the core recipie.

A ‘Full Patterson’, to be authentic, must include:
Export from original country
Over 10 aviation museums
Over 100 ‘new’ aircraft seen
At least 3 aviation events
Over 8 pints of real beer in one evening, consumed by the subject
Over 2,000,000,000 roundabouts (Not sure Steve saw THIS many, but that’s what he claims…)
Several multinational war graves and associated memorials
Threats of death if export of aircraft is attempted.

Andy in Beds, Moggy C and the others who added the original cherries on a stick, umberellas, more Vodka etc. to the original cocktail, may add or amend. For some reason, even with the flashbacks, I can’t seem to remember it all.

as most Americans couldn’t find Prague with a map, a GPS and large red arrow saying “You Are Here”.

Why am I irrisistably reminded of Dr Strangelove?

As for answering idiot questions I was talking to the pilot of the world’s only flying Boomerang at Avalon in 1992. An idiot asked if it was a Spitfire (sic) the pilot (name removed!) after a LONG day said; “Nah, mate, it’s a Beaufort.”

“Oh!” said the ijit and wandered off, none the wiser…

Thanks John for posting, and I’m glad you had such a wonderful holiday. After following your adventures and seeing some of the photos you and others have posted I feel that the “Full Setter” is now the mac daddy tour of them all. Two full weeks, you must be a bachelor.

As for Sea Furies, Tempests, Bristol Centaurus, Dowty Rotols, Wright 3350s, Hamilton Standards, and Aero Products, and all the ensuing debate that goes along with any conversation that includes one or more of these words I can only say what I’ve always said…”warbirds are only fun when they’re going fast and making noise”. But to your point, I am anxiously awaiting the donation of a newly overhauled “proper” engine and 5 bladed propeller for my airplane to make everyone happy. Anyone interested in making such a donation can PM me for the shipping details, care of the Steve Patterson Benevolent Warbird Trust.

Of course a “proper” Sea Fury wouldn’t make much difference here in the good ‘ole US of A anyway, as most of the people I meet have no idea what a Sea Fury is. “Is that a Spitfire?” is an oft heard phrase. Only thing worse is the L-39, which I’ve taken to calling a MiG-39 at airshows, as most Americans couldn’t find Prague with a map, a GPS and large red arrow saying “You Are Here”.

Again, glad you had such a wonderful time, and I anxiously await your full report. Please have it posted and on my desk by tomorrow. 😉

Steve

Cool, sounds good.

Does anyone know who the regular pilot of the Tempest V was when it was with 486 (NZ) Sqn? I wonder if he’s still alive.

Dave

Kermits Tempest II is in a Hangar at Lakeland Fl attracting hangar rash. However is has a Tempest V at Booker in the UK being restored with the mighty Sabre, it’ll not be ready soon, but when it is 😛

Nice photos John.

Gosh that second Hendon photo illustrates just how dark it is in that museum now – I thought there was an element of exageration in the past.

What sort of engine is Kermit Week’s Tempest II being restored with? Is that a Bristol or an American radial? I don’t think it really matters either way so long as the Tempest, and several Sea Furies, are in the air.

I would love to see his ex-486 (NZ) Sqn Tempest V in the air too, oh yeah!!! I guess that won’t happen though, at least not with a Sabre engine.