P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
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Air Power |
In March of 1940, Hawker initiated a number of design studies aimed at improving the Typhoon. Among these studies were ways of improving the Typhoon´s high altitude performance. These involved the use of a new wing design that featured a thinner wing section and a reduced wing area. The new wing had a eliptical planform and showed a great potential for increasing performance at altitude while reducing the tendency of the original Typhoon wing to buffet at speeds around 500 mph. The maximum depth of the new wing occured farther back, at 37,5 % chord, while the thickness/chord ratio reduced to 14,5 % at the root tapering to 10 % at the tip. This meant that the new wing was five inches thinner at the root than the original Typhoon wing.
The thin wing meant that alternative space for fuel had to be found and this was achived by moving the engine 21 inches forward and inserting a 76 gallon tank between the firewall and the oil tank. The redesign also included a new undercarriage and the latest of the Sabre engine, the Mark IV.
The Tempest V prototype (HM595) in its original form with Typhoon canopy and tail unit.
In order to save development time, Sidney Camm decided to mate the new wing to a modified Typhoon airframe which retainde the Sabre powerplant. The RAF ordered two prototypes under Specification F.10/41 18 November of 1941 and the project quickly became known as the Typhoon II.
Hawker´s biggest problem with the new fighter was the engine. As with the Typhoon, and as a precaution, it was felt that the prototype should allow for the use of alternative engine installations. By the Spring of 1942, the various problem with the Sabre had not been fully eliminated and the company proceeded with its plans for alternative engine installations for the Typhoon II prototypes (which were renamed the Tempest during August). By this time the RAF had also revised the original prototype contract, now calling for a total of six aircraft.
Different mark numbers were allocated to each of the six prototype/engine combinations: the Mk I (HM599) was powered by a Sabre IV, the Mk II (LA602 and LA607) were powered by Centaurus IV radial engines, the MK III (LA610) used a Griffon IIB, the Mk IV (LA614) had a Griffon 61 and the Mk V (HM595) had a Sabre II.
Please visit this very cool website: Hawker Tempest Web Page
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft Co. Ltd
Type: Single Seat Fighter Bomber
Models: Mark II, V, and VI
Crew: 1
Powerplants:
Mark II: One Bristol Centaurus 5 or 6 18 Cylinder Sleeve-valve two-row radial with 2,596 hp
Mark V: One Napier Sabre II 24 Cylinder Flat-H Sleeve-valve liquid cooled with 2,180 hp
Mark VI: Napier Sabre V 24 Cylinder Flat-H Sleeve-valve liquid cooled with 2340 hp.
Dimensions:
Wing span: 41 ft.
Height: 15 ft. 10 in
Weights: Empty: 9,100 lb / Max: 13,500 lb
Performance :
Cruising speed 391 mph at 18800 ft
Maximum Speed: 440 mph
Service Ceiling: 37,000 ft.
Range: 820 miles (with Bombs, no tanks)
Armaments:
All: Four 20mm Hispano Cannon in outer wings with 150 rds per gun.
Payload:
Underwing racks for Eight rockets or up to 2,000 lb. (907 kg) bombs
