Hawker Tempest Mk.VI

Originally envisaged as the Hawker Typhoon Mk.II, the Tempest was developed as a series of six prototypes, each powered by a different engine. This was undertaken, so that if development problems arose with one engine, development still continued with the others.

The six prototypes built were as follows:

One Tempest Mk.I (serial number HM599), equipped with the Napier Sabre Mk.IV engine

One Tempest Mk.I (serial number HM599), equipped with the Napier Sabre Mk.IV engine
Two Tempest Mk.II (serial numbers LA602 and LA607), equipped with the Bristol Centaurus Mk.IV engine (LA607 later receiving a Centaurus Mk.V)
One Tempest Mk.III (serial number LA610), equipped with the Rolls-Royce Griffon 85 engine (originally planned for the Griffon IIB)
One Tempest Mk.IV (serial number LA614), which was never completed but planned to be equipped with a Griffon 61 engine
One Tempest Mk.V (serial number HM595), equipped with the Napier Sabre Mk.II engine

Hawker Tempest Mk.VI

The Hawker Tempest Mk. VI – F. Mk. VI (F.6), was fitted with the Napier Napier Sabre Mk. V inline piston engine (2,340 hp). This required a bigger radiator which displaced the oil cooler and carburettor air intake from the radiator’s centre; air for the carburettor was drawn through intakes on the leading edge of the inner wings, while the oil cooler was located behind the radiator. Most Tempest VIs were tropicalised, resulting in the air filter being fitted in a fairing on the lower centre section. Other changes included the strengthening of the rear spar and the inclusion of spring tabs, which granted the variant superior handling performance.

The original Tempest V prototype, HM595, was extensively modified to serve as the Tempest VI prototype.

A total of 142 Tempest Mk VI were produced, equipping nine RAF squadrons, five of which were stationed in the Middle East.