EXCLUSIVE: Hawker Tempest Mk.II MW763 | The First Flight

On the 10th October, a very special aircraft flew for the first time following a 34 year restoration. Hawker Tempest Mk.II MW763, registered as G-TEMT and painted as PR533 of 33 Squadron took to the skies at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. Experienced warbird pilot Pete Kynsey was at the controls for this historic flight and took her straight to her new home at IWM Duxford.
Huge congratulations to everyone involved, especially those at Air Leasing at Sywell who have put so much effort and time into this unique aircraft to get her back in the sky.
This is the Mark II variant of the Hawker Tempest, the only Mark to be fitted with a Bristol Centaurus engine. Six marks were designed, each with a different engine including the Napier Sabre (as used on the Hawker Typhoon), Rolls-Royce Griffon and the Centaurus. The Mk.II entered service too late to see action in World War II.
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[@RaggyAl1971]

I never thought I'd see the day when a Hawker Tempest took to the skies in the UK,a fantastic achievement by all concerned.

[@andrewwaller5913]

There will be a second Tempest flying in Canada within a few months! Like buses, you wait 70 years and then 2 at once 😂

[@zebop917]

@@andrewwaller5913These are exciting times with maybe a Typhoon to follow in the not too distant future too. The world of warbirds has come a long way since I saw my first Spitfire and Hurricane fly in 1970.

[@johncrispin2118]

Just fabulous and with the right engine superb effort !Thanks to everyone. I can remember seeing this aircraft in large lumps at AUTOKRAFT in the early nineties, with Centaurus sleeves on the benches. Hopefully now a Tiffy or Tempest 5 next ? we can but hope. I think I am right in saying this version was late off the block due to slower development , obstructions and resorting to expedients by the ministry, and some senior service personnel with fixed views about propulsion units .

[@P61guy61]

Makes the mustang look tiny.

[@SNAFU..]

Looks like a sea fury to me....

[@jessthomas-zq8mg]

My brother was part of the team. No wonder he's so proud. Our father owned the Hawker Tempest originally which was bought by Kermit Weeks. It was in our Museum - Skyfame in the 1960s-70s.

[@michaeljenkins3347]

Unbelievable…I never thought I would see a Tempest fly. Thankyou to those who Have put thousands of hours work in to make this dream come true

[@Simonize41]

I’m not going to lie, this made me cry. The Hawker Tempest and Typhoon are my favourite single-engined piston powered aircraft. I’m 55 and I truly, genuinely, never thought I’d see a Tempest fly. The emotions running through me right now are indescribable. I can’t wait to see her in the flesh. She is beautiful, absolutely stunning. Thank you to EVERYONE concerned that brought this lady back to life. What an incredible feat of engineering, and what a momentous occasion. Wonderful! Sorry to be so soppy.

[@jtuttle11]

You STILL haven't. This is a Sea Fury.

[@asimov213]

​@@jtuttle11What did you even mean?

[@Simonize41]

@@jtuttle11 You are talking absolute RUBBISH.

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

Me TOO, and NOT "soppy" at all, sir. My Dad was RAF groundcrew all through WW2 and he always spoke of the Tiffies and Tempests and how they never really got the "respect" they deserved. Thinking of his words and Pierre Clostermann's "Flames In The Sky" and all those young guys doing sweeps and rhubarbs in late 44-45 broght tears to my eyes too. ESPECIALLY that SOUND when that beautiful Centaurus came to life. MUSIC ! ps, at airshows in the 1960s and 1970s, my Dad would tear up whenever he got to be near a Spitfire, Hurricane, or Lancaster starting up, especially when he was able to actually touch the 'plane, I always saw him "space out" reliving his memories

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

⁠@@jtuttle11twit, it’s a Tempest, fuselage on a Fury/Sea fury is more humped, tail is also different.

[@HidalgoBln]

Congratulations from Germany too. What a beautiful plane. Very many happy landings for the plane and her pilots 👌🏻👍🏻

[@avipatable]

Superb! Wow it is huge, makes the P51 look small. Would be interesting to see it alongside a P47. Now for a Sabre! :)))))

[@DavidSmith-ze2wi]

I was born in 1945 and grew up learning about all the wartime aircraft, I never thought I'd ever see a Hawker Tempest flying congratulations to everyone concerned in this project. They may be the result of war but doesn't she look and sound beautiful. I just hope and pray I live long enough to see the Typhoon flying with its Napier Sabre.

[@Metrallaroja]

A pilot interview with some details about take off etc and history of the restoration would be very cool

[@LCFLY3106]

Looks like the pilot was Pete kynsey!

[@stevenartmann2642]

C4 in the UK did a documentary on the restoration of this very aircraft, called warplane workshop, great series about this and many other projects

[@buzzlite3]

I’ll be happy when I see a Tempest V flying.

[@stewartgrant9832]

In my lifetime. I saw a Tempest fly. Top notch Engineering and Research and another Hawker legend better documented and much admired.

[@SamTaylors]

What a magnificent machine! What an incredible accomplishment to return her to the air! Congratulations to all who made this possible and thank you for sharing.

[@wingmanjim6]

My most sincere congratulations and appreciation to all concerned with this resto - well done, gentlemen !!!!

[@stevena9305]

Thank you. I applied the markings and it’s always good to get positive feedback.

[@AceSyntaxx]

Pierre Clostermann, according to his book, flew Tempest Mk5s in 1945, his exploits in his Tempest, Grand Charles, are beyond anything you could imagine. Worth a read. The Big Show.

[@Beemer917]

When did Closterman pass away? I read that book when I was like 18 and I'm 60 now. It was a great read however. I remember some part about him at an airshow flying out of the cockpit and like landing on his feet on the ground?

[@thesmallerhalf1968]

I tracked down a copy recently and just about finished re-reading it after a gap of 45 years. Brilliantly descriptive, brutally honest. Apart from the vivid details of flying the Tempest Clostermann’s account of the war in the closing months is a reminder of its savagery and pitiless.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

​@@thesmallerhalf1968 THE BOOK IS, stylistically speaking, a literary masterpiece as well - not just an air-historical document : written in such cleansed, crisp, elegant and vivid perception that conveys not just the best features of the french literary tradition, but it surpasses them and becomes a world class item, a true exception among its intended genre. Galland comes close, but his german jerkiness i.e. logic-based punctual precision remains second to Clostermann s merits (no room for thought, 4 reader to introspect and self-reflect). The french finesse at best is truly incroyablé. Say, the Brickhill/ Johnnie Johnson narrative touch won t come close. HEINKEL s Mein Sturmische Leben is worth the time, but the technical coldness returns the same partial defaults as is the case w THE 1ST & THE LAST (all of these were also already in the 50s translated to 🇫🇮 despite the pop was barely 4 mill and the economy poor due to $600 mill war "reparations" extorted by THE BOYZZZ FROM POCCIA - who are @ it once again nearby...) K i p p i s !

[@richardcooke5415]

'Historic describes something momentous or important in history. Historical simply describes something that belongs to an earlier period of history.' This is historic.

[@andrewjacklin9887]

She looked lovely out in the Sun on static display during Duxford's flying finale. I look forward to seeing her in the Air for the 2024 Season!

[@sgt13echo]

I'm happy the videographer was able to shoot the prop spinning in HD without it looking like it's stopped like so many other HD videos.

[@altair7001]

I was thinking the same thing! Would be curious to know what camera was used to record this.

[@gerrydepp8164]

A Historic day! It gives me shivers to see her leave the ground; Beautiful work! Congratulations from Aotearoa (NZ)

[@woodyw9798]

MAGNIFICENT! Waited a long time for this day, Excellent work on the vid too. Well done to all involved with the restoration. Long may she grace the skies.

[@Andrewausfa]

Stunner, just gorgeous. I never thought I'd see a Tempest fly.

[@scottmonroe6522]

Now for the Napier Sabre!

[@MarsFKA]

Well, there was one in New Zealand, but a guy restoring a Typhoon in Canada now has it.

[@zorkitipafed4626]

@@MarsFKA Uncle Kermie did buy at least two of them altogether with the remains of Tempest.

[@richardraby6266]

Quite an achievement at a time when most "new" builds are being done elsewhere on the planet. Now all we need to see is a Napier sabre brought back to life. And I for one cannot wait to hear the ROAR of that!

[@beegeenz]

She’s a beauty!

[@pauldurkee4764]

I had no idea this project existed, what a surprise to find out she had already stretched her wings. Watching the tractor towing her, i was surprised how big she is, very impressive. I applaud the many people it must have taken to get to this point.

[@michaelbrears4695]

Even bigger irl compared to other birds of the time

[@baselhammond3317]

What a beautiful, sleek aircraft. Especially in that silver.

[@robertmarsh3588]

Wow!! What a gorgeous looking and sounding aircraft. It really is big too - noticeably larger than the Mustang.

[@BruceMacLennan-mk1jc]

Hawker sure made some pretty airplanes......

[@harjindersokhi9852]

An airworthy Tempest! Phenomenal achievement, bravo!

[@SBOReeves]

What an accomplishment - I can't wait to see and hear this beauty in the sky!

[@88SC]

Love it! I’ve seen plenty of Furies/Sea Furies, it’s interesting how after initially noticing the resemblance, the differences start making themselves apparent. This might seem trivial, but exhaust exit configuration surprised me. Eight stacks on each side in the familiar location with two lone exits, one on each side, down low. They managed to route all nine together on each side for the Fury.

[@jameshardie9914]

It's great so see another old piece of aviation history take to the skies once again

[@stringpicker5468]

I have never seen a Tempest, only its later cousin the Sea Fury. Huge for a single seater. I must confess I love the sound of the Centaurus. Great work.

[@fearofthedark666]

Absolute perfection. But why is this country so bloody well appalling at preserving its aviation heritage. It's government's that send these incredible inventions into the fray, yet it's left to volunteers and charities to ensure their prolonged existence and memory in the public conscience. Kudos to all those involved in returning another dole of aviation greatness to the skies, and ensuring all those who flew or maintained her are forever remembered.

[@simonlemerveilleuxdelisle3779]

Phenomenal work. Pretty sleek, sexy aircraft. Now we need a Mark V flying too, with a Sabre engine.

[@paladin56]

Absolutely fantastic. My congratulations to the team which worked so hard to see this come to fruition. The first Tempest flight in the UK since about 1955. She looks beautiful. Elegant but very businesslike at the same time. Thanks to the cameraman/editor too for providing such high quality footage.

[@markleadbeatter6196]

What an incredible sight and what a huge achievement. Congratulations to all those involved. 🎉

[@theflyingfool]

Outstanding work chaps! This is magnificent. I just hope the Centaurus is reliable nowadays.

[@somebloke13]

I was just wondering if it was a Centaurs as it's a 4 blade prop?

[@richardcolvert9409]

​@@somebloke13it is a Centaurus. The majority of aircraft types that had a Centaurus had 4 bladed props

[@theflyingfool]

@@somebloke13 this was in the description... "This is the Mark II variant of the Hawker Tempest, the only Mark to be fitted with a Bristol Centaurus engine."

[@johngrantham8024]

It's an early variant Centaurus, think it's a VI , and the only one of its kind airworthy. They've done a lot of hours ground running to bed it all in.

[@Hawkertempest1]

Magnificent sight to see.❤👍

[@richardcolvert9409]

Saw her yesterday on finals into Duxford, an awesome restoration achievement. Looks like the gear was a bit hesitant coming up but I'm sure that'll be tweaked in good time!

[@C119G]

Typical slow Hawker retraction pump.

[@JustUsFlyers]

@@C119G Thats not typical at all haha

[@radiationking9875]

​@@C119GI'd struggle to pull that undercarriage up haha

[@billbonnington7916]

I'm going to Duxford tomorrow, and have to say the thought of seeing this beastie is making my swonnicles revolve at an extreme rate!

[@radiationking9875]

I have honestly never smiled this much for a single aircraft

[@johncrispin2118]

I cannot get enough of seeing this beautiful bird, much appreciated for the huge effort. Never thought I would see this when we spotted the large lumps of this aircraft and one other were distributed around the workshop/museum at Autokraft at Brookands back along. We were looking at Bryan's superb historic motorcycle collection at the time,...( early ninities)

[@rolanddunk5054]

Absolutely awesome,it’s beautiful.

[@paultanker5606]

G'day To You ,I did not Know how big She really was, whew what a amazing Aircraft!

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

HISTORICAL DAY

[@K1W1fly]

Gorgeous machine! When I was a apprentice I had the privilege to work on a restored Sea Fury, so I love the Centaurus. The Tempest is a generation previous to the Fury, so its interesting to see the differences as the thoroughbred evolved. and yes, these are BIG aeroplanes!

[@stevenborham1584]

Just noticed where the Tempest wing span is greater than the Sea Fury. The wheel wells on the Sea Fury are right to the centerline, whereas here the fuselage seems to seperate them. Hawker must have taken about 2.5 ft off of the center section to create the Sea Fury wing (or the wings are butted together at the centerline)..... As commenters below have lamented, finally a Tempest!! But in having seen a R-4360 in operation ( a somewhat gentle sounding giant) many times having been morbidly fascinated by such a complex radial as a kid, now having also seen three Sea Furies with them shoe horned into the fuselage, it would be a super lifetime experience just to see and here a Sabre engine in the air in its original airframe. No other production engine even comes close to a unique concept and sound. Looks like (Can) Typhoon Legacy Co. and Kermit Weeks (USA) FOF may be the only likely candidates for the creation of this dream.

[@ianevans2854]

Fantastic achievement team in getting this gorgeous Warbird back into the skies once again, look forward to seeing more clips of her in flight 😍❤️👍

[@fearofthedark666]

Bloody hell. The scale of this aeroplane.

[@steamwally]

Having worked on the restoration it was so good to see this. What a stunning machine, cannot wait to see and hear it in the metal some time!

[@fury4539]

I'm crying, she is gorgeous 🥹🥰

[@Hawkertempest1]

Ohh the mighty Tempest. ❤❤❤

[@peterclark9677]

Beautiful aircraft

[@ootpik2440]

Sea Fury ==== missing the lower open mouth cowling . Still a beautiful Bird. Ty*****

[@jonnyh9388]

Well done folks. This is a type that has long been missing from our skies. Its also nice that a restoration of a British aircraft has happened here (for a change it seems).

[@Paiadakine]

What a fantastic achievement. Congratulations and thank you to whom ever funded this project.

[@coolhand1964]

The design lineage between the Tempest and the Sea Fury is clearly evident. Love both aircraft. ❤👍

[@SMAZVidoes]

Outstanding restoration.

[@RWBHere]

Nice to see the old girl in her element again. Thanks to all who worked hard to achieve this result. 🙂👍

[@biow70]

Well done to everyone who were lucky enough to be involved.

[@gwinster]

It's huge! fantastic to see.

[@hughthomson6201]

Gosh what a truly gorgeous machine. Hawkers certainly knew how to build aeroplanes.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

They made a balls with the Typhoon. Sydney Camm believed assurances that fat wings gave low drag.

[@mathewthomason8397]

I never thought I'd see and hear one fly. Great work!

[@andrewbranch4075]

What a beast. I'd love to see a Mk5 back in the air as well.👍

[@stevena9305]

Watch this space!

[@patrickibex]

Well done to all involved.

[@Daniel-deMerrivale]

What an awesome beautiful beast! Congratulations everyone who worked on this, superb.

[@colinmartin2921]

What a fantastic aeroplane, my all-time favourite! I can't thank the restoration team enough, it is magnificent; they must feel such pride.

[@dale3852]

Duxford at the end. Amazing

[@johnbridges6867]

Hi PK I bet you enjoyed that flight, and A Beautiful aircraft. I hope you are Anna are fine and smiling. Miss you both. All the Very Best to you. JB. Oxted.

[@johnbridges6867]

Thank you for your liking my comment. If it’s you Pete Happy landings always. Gosh I miss All at The TC. JB.

[@MattThornton87]

Fantastic achievement!! Must have been a huge amount of work! Thanks for the video😍. Would be great to see her fly beside the new BAE Tempest next-gen jet demonstrator when that flies in a few years time.

[@tribsa7503]

I never really just how big this aircraft is! Would love to see a Typhoon flying again one day, if there are any left being restored to flying condition.

[@silvergtotwinturbo9984]

I think Aircraft Restorations are doing a Typhoon. MW???, cannot remember the serial number but its at Duxford too.

[@johnreynolds5103]

34 years of hard work and a stunning result!

[@lupus5135]

....Monster...😎

[@jetguardian4728]

I've been waiting for it for a long time. Like P-51D Mustang and P-47 Thunderbolt, this plane is useful for fighter attack, bombing, and strafing. Hawker Tempest is used for attacking the german jet Me 262 killer and also a V1 Flying bomb.

[@BrianWMay]

Absolutely beautiful and a tribute to all those involved in its restoration. Thank you all, what a treat to see it fly.

[@Footplate2012]

Magnificent! I cannot wait to see it flying.

[@joshjack6127]

It literally flies in this video...

[@Pearmain2009]

Congratulations what a fantastic achievement and it looks fantastic. Well done on such a great restoration.

[@justinroberts7733]

I've waited for this restoration to take place since i was a kid. I'm 44 now :) that Centaurus!

[@wolfganggugelweith8760]

Very nice enemy plane! Congratulations from Linz Austria! 😎👍💙🐺

[@talesfromthehutandhangar]

Brilliant

[@gavinmoore3707]

A MOST BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT AND QUALITY RESTORATION

[@charlieschums76]

Stunning. All we need now is a Typhoon. I understand one is under restoration.

[@85benefc]

I hope this is at flying legends next year amazing aircraft

[@terrywilson1226]

The tempest 2 is rare as not many were made as the centaurs motor was in short supply, so when they redesigned the typhoon (changed the wings, fixed tail , and got sabre engine more reliable) they renamed it the tempest v. My wife's grandfather flew in 486 chasing flying bombs and a share of a me262. He never talked about it ,I only found out about after read a book about the squadron. I would love to see one fly and hear the sabre roar, But they are so rare now I doubt that I ever see one

[@alasdairblack393]

There is a restoration to airworthiness with a sabre engine underway in Canada.🇨🇦

[@Metrallaroja]

Making history 😎

[@zebop917]

Whenever I see a Sea Fury that’s had an engine swap to an R-2800 or R-3350 and has a 4-blade prop I can only think that it looks all wrong. This one looks fine though and is completely authentic. It’s noticeable how much bigger it looks than the Sea Fury although the family resemblance is obvious.

[@sparkyshadows]

Sea Fury shorter Folding wings for carrier use. Also raise cockpit area however this plane just looks great.

[@VarTourisme-wl7kt]

A hangar with a Sera Fury + a Thunderbolt + a Mustang IS obviously the hangar of Wonders

[@brendanukveteran2360]

Read about tne development of the Tempest when I was young lad in the 60's - so glad to see - and hear, what I beleieve was the last iteration of the type - Sabre radial engine with air scoops in the wing roots. Wouls love to see one with the originasl chin scoop though.

[@ThomasDoubting5]

This is amazing and congratulations, but I need to see the Napier Sabre powered Tempest then i can rest easy

[@woooster17]

Oh wow, I didn’t know this aircraft had now flown! Huge congratulations to all concerned. 👏🏼 It will be great to have it formate with a Sea Fury! Do we think a Typhoon fitted with the Napier Sabre engine will ever fly?

[@MoreRift]

Should do, theres one getting restored round the corner from MW763 at the Aircraft Restoration Company right now!

[@AbelMcTalisker]

While not impossible I would think that a Sabre engine might cause some safety issues. Are there actually any in running condition?

[@user-gq9qo3vz9m]

Great great great newwwwwwws!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@edludwig1337]

Fantastic. Am I dreaming? It's absolutely gorgeous too! Never thought I'd see the day😊

[@danielbonham9336]

Wow what an amazing aircraft, a beautiful sight to see take to the sky finally,

[@leighjones5551]

Beautiful to see and hear

[@Hirsutechin]

Fabulous, a dream come true for me and I only have a MkV to take flight to complete the aircraft list. I really hope to see her at an air show some time soon. What a magnificent example of the type!

[@russellmarriott9396]

A very impressive aircraft.

[@TheElDoctoro24]

What a phenomenal sight that I never thought I’d see in my lifetime

[@petermclelland278]

It just looks right!

[@angelsone-five7912]

Lovely, nice to see another Hawker aeroplane take to the skies.

[@adamditch5835]

An utterly phenomenal achievement by everyone involved.. Congratulations to you all...👋👏👏👏

[@grahamwilliams7114]

Unsung hero ❤

[@anthonywalker4108]

The mustang sounded good but the tempest sound like a fighter should. Well done to all involved from start to finish.