Hawker Tempest in New Zealand Service
In January 1944, No. 486 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) was the first squadron to be re-equipped with Hawker Tempest fighters (although No. 3 squadron completed re-equipping first). Initially used for V-1 interception, where their high speed was needed, the squadron was credited with the destruction of 223 1/2 flying bombs. They squadron was later assigned to the 2TAF where duties usually included low and medium fighter operations along with ground attack missions.
The squadron was disbanded on 12 October 1945 at RAF Dunsfold, England.
JN766 SA-N of No 486 Squadron at Castle Camps on 8 April 1944 
486 Squadron RNZAF, Squadron Leader J H Iremonger, standing by the cockpit of Hawker Tempest Mark V, SA-F 
Hawker Tempest V 486 Sqn SA SN129 Lubeck 1945 
Early Tempest V of 486 Sqn. April 1944. JN766 still has its black and white Typhoon-style underwing recognition bands 
Hawker Tempest Mk. V Series 1 JN766 of No 486 Sqn RNZAF 
Hawker Tempest Mark Vs of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF parked in their dispersal area by Will’s Farm. JN754 ‘SA-A’ in the foreground is undergoing a radio test 
Hawker Tempest Mark Vs of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF parked in their dispersal area by Will’s Farm 
Hawker Tempest Mark Vs of No. 486 Sqn RNZAF by Will’s Farm at Newchurch Advanced Landing Ground, Kent JN754 SA-A undergoes an engine test 
Hawker Tempest Mark V, EJ627 SA-E of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF, taking off from B80/Volkel, Holland. 
Hawker Tempest V (foreground) and Hawker Typhoon of No 486 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force based at Castle Camps airfield, Cambridgeshire 
Pilots of No 486 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, assemble in front of their Hawker Tempest fighter-bombers on an airfield in Belgium. 
Flying Officer J R Cullen of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF, standing in front of his Hawker Tempest Mark V at Castle Camps, 
Jimmy Sheddan in Hawker Tempest SA-M (SN129). 
Tempest V of 486 Squadron RNZAF at Volkel Air Base, the Netherlands, 1945
