Hawker Tempest II and V - Richard Grace Visit

[@richardstevens8931]

RIP Richard, what a knowledgeable man. Such a loss to the aviation and warbird community

[@clazy8]

That photo of him as a little boy is wonderful. Really touching.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

I'm not gonna replay the video, but wasn't his father killed in an accident? Nick? if so...that really sux….Really...Aren't these videos wonderful! They tell stories. And that is what Mr. Weeks does. Paul is the bestest.

[@silvergtotwinturbo9984]

@@rolandalfonso6954 Did you also note that when he looked at the spinner, it had the same red paint it had when Richard was a boy and it was on that plane in the photograph. My flying instructor asked me if I knew of Caroline Grace, I told him that she pilots Nick's Spitfire and he said that he taught Richard to fly, whether its true or not I don't know but why would he say that if it wasn't true, these things I suppose can be checked.

[@andrewwaller5913]

The Hawker Tempest II MW763 has been unveiled today at Sywell, UK. Engine runs and a first flight to follow!

[@jhorrorfan2116]

She's Flying now

[@andrewwaller5913]

@@jhorrorfan2116 Yes, saw the Tempest at Duxford.

[@edstoro3883]

The crowning statement in this clip: "Who does that" , way to go Richard! The great tool invented for aircraft restoration...the smart phone camera. There is no such thing as "too many" pictures. Good luck Richard.

[@bartdereu9267]

Wow , what a story. I could listen like these things for days in a row.

[@alanearl4637]

Great video. Richard was very enjoyable to listen to and definitely has the same passion as you do when he speaks. You can really tell he loves and respects these fascinating machines. Thanks for sharing. Wish you were there with him “talking shop”.

[@mikesmearnov1319]

Thank you Kermit for bringing these planes back!

[@nicolas6226]

The joys of Hawker construction ! The cockpit section is really complex and difficult to reproduce, especialy with a lot of missing drawings, and even with CAD. Thanks Kermit for this video !!! ~Nicolas, from Typhoon Legacy JP843 crew.

[@simonpayne8252]

Kermit said something which I hope is true... that you typhoon amd tempest resto guys are sharing info to further the common goal. The CAD stuff you post is awesome.

[@nicolas6226]

@@simonpayne8252 Lot of parts is identical on the Typhoon and Tempest V serie 1-2. For lots of parts, the drawings is missing for the Typhoon, but we have the Tempest drawings, with minor modification it's the same parts, so it's an great help. It is a big chalange, but very interesting, for a goal that, I think, really great ! Tempest and Typhoon in flight together in a meeting will be great !!!!

[@michaelfuller2153]

Hawker sure "matured" from the bulkhead / tube & fabric construction of the Hurricane...to the built like a steel bridge arrangement on the Typhoon!

[@nicolas6226]

@@michaelfuller2153 Yep, and the big difference between the Typhoon and Tempest are the Forks on the cockpit section (For fixing the wings). Other parts is very similar for the fuselage. On the other hand, a lot of change for the wings.

[@xxFormula1989xx]

It's amazing to see these beautiful birds being brought back to life. I can't wait to see them spark back to life again. I will be following along with both of your projects.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Huge respect for his mom for learning to fly that Spit Fire. Great video!

[@benlongstaff5536]

Great video, thanks for sharing it. Had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn, Richard's Mom a few times and she is a lovely lady, it was a very brave thing to do, having lost Nick and with two young children to look after, to learn to fly the Spitfire and to then continue operating it for many years. Brilliant to see that Richard has inherited his fathers engineering skills and passion and is flying and restoring these historic aircraft.

[@stuartmackay6635]

Go Richard, the world needs a Temp II roaring around with its Centaurus growling once more! Can't wait!

[@chris_hisss]

You know, Paul is a gifted host, and a great asset to our videos here, as well as the team behind the production of this fine video! Thanks Kermit and all! Great story here and great to see this! Sad to hear that Andy retired.

[@davidkyle5017]

A particularly good edition Kermit. Seeing a second generation aviation restorer looking at the plane his father owned is a bit moving. Not to mention that the plane in focus, which is so well known to aviation fans, is far rarer than most would suspect. Thanks!

[@boilermaker7754]

Thanks Andy, Kermit, and Richard...so much work involved it boggles the imagination. Its just wonderful in itself just to get see the airplane and all the bits and pieces even in it's current state. Maybe one day we will see it fly, looking forward to that.

[@SaltyDawg-wu5kr]

AFTER THE WAR NO ONE WANTED THESE WONDERFULL AIRPLANES. VERY FEW WHERE SOLD, MANY WHERE JUST SCRAPED. I THANK YOU KERMIT AND MANY OUTHERS FOR RESTORING THESE WAR MACHINES. I LOVE ALL AIR CRAFT.

[@gregaussie5254]

Thanks for the video update, I DNT have the words to say how grateful I am to you for keeping these planes and history alive , shame your not here down under , if you were I would work for free .much respect

[@PaulLMF]

Fabulous video. Loved hearing the genuine interaction between the gentlemen and the back story with pictures. Also great to see the level of generosity and sharing.

[@timchapman5567]

A wonderful project, particularly for someone like me who read Clostermann's superb memoir when it was first published. One of the great military aircraft, the Tempest should fly again.

[@beagle7622]

Yes I read that book as a teen . My dad an RAF Mustang III & later IV pilot knew Closterman. His plane was Grand Charles from memory, although it would have been flown by anyone in 1944. I remember the last page. The Tempest V was amazing, Roland Beamont flew one across the Newquay airfield at 495mph. Impressive was the word I think he used.

[@mickboakes7023]

Thank goodness for people like Mick🇬🇧

[@adamcline8041]

Glad to see that both aircraft are still in the project stages and one day they'll be picked back up. Seeing the close-ups with the Tempest II made me sit back in my seat some, lol. Never knew how much more complex these were than other British designs. But I Love all the Hawker products! Thanks

[@Vincent-Vega24]

What i love about Kermit is that he obviously has money, but isnt an asshole about it and enjoys sharing his resources with other enthusiasts!!!! I fell in love with airplanes when i was a little fella. I still look up every time i hear one!!! Maybe one day i will get the chance to come out to fantasy of flight and see in person all the awesomeness you have there!!!

[@angelreading5098]

If there is anyone that can do it then Richard can,just like his father the patience and knowledge is there to pull off what at times must seem an impossible jigsaw puzzle,Hawkers never built their aircraft for tear down restoration years later as anyone who has attempted to restore a Tempest will tell you ! the complex juxta position of components was achieved with their very own jigging systems on the production line,you can see what Richard is faced with just looking at these two airframes side by side. It is wonderful to see the help and co-operation we have in the aircraft restoration movement,best of luck in both Fantasy of Flights and Richards endeavours to get a Tempest V airworthy again.

[@andresgarcia7757]

Kermit, please be successful with act III, your efforts to restore all these airplanes need to continue for future generations!

[@goatflieg]

Lots to love about this one. Fascinating... and inspirational. When bogged down in the later stages of my RV-8 build, all I have to do is watch one of these videos to be reminded that my job is easy in comparison. Thanks to Kermit, Paul and Richard for the motivation. Must get back to work now...

[@woooster17]

I still have a VHS video somewhere of Spit ML407 build and Carolyn learning to fly her after Nicks unfortunate accident.. wonderful to see the torch being passed with Richard. To see a Tempest or even a Typhoon fly again would be incredible..

[@billywindsock9597]

Typhoon RB396 is being restored in the UK. Keep an eye out for it.

[@andrewwaller5913]

2 Tempests and 2 Typhoons being restored to fly in UK and Canada.

[@garynew9637]

@@andrewwaller5913 typhoon legacy, Canada?

[@andrewwaller5913]

@@garynew9637 Yes, correct.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Having both Typhoon and Tempest on the same flight line would be something to see! ~Ian

[@donalddodge1]

I had the privilege of knowing and being associated with two former Typhoon pilots, great people, great aircraft!

[@mycroft1905]

Good job bringing these talented men together, KW; Paul, Richard and Andy.

[@bobadams179]

It seems to me that you have to be born into this business/hobby. People such as myself who love old planes and grew up building models of them will always be at arms length. The closest we will ever get is models, R/C aircraft, and visiting museums such as yours. Count yourselves as very fortunate. Thank you for preserving our history.

[@dukecraig2402]

I love these Tempests and Typhoons, they're my favorite British aircraft of WW2, everyone's always fussing and fighting about Mustang's and Spitfires, Thunderbolts and Typhoons are more my style, the bigger and nastier the better as far as I'm concerned, if I was to come screaming out of the sky I'd want my enemies to die of fright before I even have to pull the trigger, not look up and say "Gee, what a pretty looking airplane."

[@dyer2cycle]

...these videos have become my greatest relaxation after a long day, they are all great, enjoy each and every one of them...a Big Thank You for taking your time, Kermit and Paul, for making and posting these videos, I know you are busy guys...Always eager to watch the new ones as soon as they are posted, and still watching the older ones! :)

[@john_in_boston]

Two great airplanes, and three classy guys. Well done.

[@davidpeters6536]

What a very touching story. I hope these aeroplanes fly again. Fabulous machines that deserve to be remembered to remind us all of the sacrifices out forefathers made for freedom from oppression and tyranny. Thank you.

[@alyciamarrison2916]

Fantastic to see these rarest of Warbirds. My personal take would be that they are way too rare to fly- Just imagine if just one single part fails it could mean the end to everything, maybe airworthy & in ground running status would be the best way to honour both Hawker engineers, manufacturers, pilots & personel. Thanks so much for making this video & nice to see Nick Graces son following in his fathers wings!

[@Michael.Talbot]

The Tempest mkV is my favourite fighter of WW2 and probably the best as well, I would love to see these fly someday keep up the good work

[@PGU13BHEI]

Typhoon got me hooked on Hawker. Thank you so much for this video and for keeping that pile of parts together.

[@falconeaterf15]

Such an amazing story is the Grace family.

[@magna4100]

Love to see a Tempest V fly, an absolute THUG of an aircraft. Awesome.

[@tempest957]

Superb planes Superb commitment. I guess Kermit has to stabilise the business as like Andy he will retire one day, as unfortunately we all get older and like aircraft worn out! Kermit is such a great peoples guy and a wonderful preserver of very important aircraft for future generations to enjoy!!

[@EnriqueMartinez-tn2qw]

This will be the first Hawker tempest Restored and ready to fly. I would love to see it!

[@davidstewart5452]

On June 13, the first V1 flying bombs were launched against England, and the Tempest, being the fastest low-medium altitude fighter in service with the RAF, became the mainstay of Britain's fighter defense against the pilotless missiles destroying 638 of these weapons by the beginning of September. The Tempest V was also employed on the Continent for train-busting and ground-attack ..awesome video gents..

[@garynew9637]

Yes, yes your knowledge of ww2 is very impressive.

[@kranson8514]

Wow that must have been a blast from the past for Richard, and no doubt a personal memory. Would love to see them fly again the technicians a very few to give these birds flight.

[@ChargerMiles007]

Great vid showing the two Tempests! I sure hope somebody can get a Napier Sabre running again! I know I sure want to see and hear one run! After watching some vids about the various Sabre restoration projects under way, I think I will have to put my sleeve valve lawnmower engine back together for another run, as it has been too long since Sleevie Wonder has smoked up the back yard :)

[@rsoppy735]

Fantastic collaboration.The video explains the complexity of the aircraft compared to others. The ultimate piston engined fighters.

[@Audion]

Thanks for the update Kermit.

[@matthewpayne42]

I spoke to a great bunch of guys at the Duxford airshow with a ambitious project to restore and fly a Hawker typhoon.!!! And another group who are hoping to build a De Havilland Mosquito to fly. Good luck to all of them, they are going to need it.

[@jamessuhr9667]

Mosquitos are being built in New Zealand .

[@silvergtotwinturbo9984]

@@jamessuhr9667 There is one being built in Britain, something to do with the CAA, (Civil Aviation Authority) whereby they are having to build their own fuselage moulds as the CAA have no authority with regards to the Mosquito's that are being built in NZ. I think there is so much red tape about the Mosquito rebuild that they have to have their finger 'in the pie' all the way through the rebuild.

[@MrTumbleweed22]

There's two mosquito planes flying at the moment. One in Canada and the other i think in new Zealand.

[@MarsFKA]

@@MrTumbleweed22 Three, all made by AvSpec at Ardmore and all flying in the USA. The Canadian Mosquito is not one of them.

[@skozskoz9752]

You really can see that these machines were top of military technology of their time. Probably more complex than early jet planes, as piston engines are far more complicated. It is a real challenge to rebuild this warbird. Respect!

[@ryanmoeller3308]

Fantastic video!! Thank you for sharing these AMAZING machine's with us. I can't thank you enough for the work you do so us fellow aviation enthusiasts can enjoy these machine's as well. Keep up the GREAT work Mr. Week's. Looking forward to seeing more video's from ya. 👍👍

[@XCougar85X]

Great vid. Hope you get to restart the projects again. An inspiration!

[@cryptotharg7400]

The Tempest V will make your day!

[@cryptotharg7400]

It was the most Billy Badass fighter of WW2. Four 20mm cannons. Yes, I know the B-25 had 18 .50s.

[@alanbooker]

Nick Grace was a stalwart of the airshow scene back in the day. Caroline Grace now trains Spitfire pilots in her Mk9 two seater.

[@kgs42]

Thanks, FoF .... really interesting and so good to see the co-operation

[@eamo106]

1001 % in support of Fantasy of Flight III, Kermit you are a Hero !! Gave money to Caroline's effort on her ex Irish AF spitfire years ago. My heart skipped a beat entering the Caen Museum years ago, but just a fiberglass replica.Hats off to Richard and Kermit. Typhoon and Tempest are legends, the holy grails, the missing link. RAF Hendon should drop their Tempest and have it restored, or maybe it's just an air skin ? These efforts should be combined in a one- off collaboration to get one running at least, airworthy if possible. None alone are likely to produce a finished product even with bags of money ?

[@jimmytgoose476]

If they are that rare then they won't be flown . Thats why the Me410, Ju88, Ki46 , Ta152 and others won't leave the ground again . They're original and unique .

[@simonclark29041978]

It will be very interesting to see these aircraft in the air

[@lepompier132]

Ever since I was 12 I fell in love with airplanes, the WW2 era caught my attention at that time, in fact my two favorite WW2 birds are the Mustang P51D, Corsair F4U4 and not forget the DC-3 plus the various bombers. It's sad to so few of these planes today.

[@markdavis2475]

I remember watching the original doc, "The Perfect Lady". It's probably on YT as well. I think the doc about Carolyn learning to fly is called "Going Solo". Richard seems like a real gent, very pleasant guy and an obvious "chip of the old block"!

[@grahamsummers5078]

Richard is a really nice guy. I've had the opportunity to talk to him at an airshow I'm involved with. I also had the chance to talk with his dad Nick, during the filming of 'Piece of Cake', with which I was also involved in the late 1980s. Also met Carolyn, during a Farnborough show in the temporary hangar she was putting the Spitfire in. We ended up with a three way conversation when W/C Ken Wallis came in with his autogyro, 'Little Nellie'. Amazing day, but I will say that both parents have really a fine son in Richard. The only family member I have yet to meet is Richards sister.

[@MattThornton87]

Wonderful video & insight

[@silicononsapphire5102]

Great work fellas and good luck!

[@SeraphoftheRoundTable]

I cannot wait to see them fly and hear a Naiper Sabre engine for real. Thanks for the vid Kermit! 👍👍👍👍

[@marknelson5929]

I heard in past that Bristol, makers of the Centaurus radial engine (used in the Tempest II) and Hawker where influenced re the close cowling design/multiple exhaust ducting etc from the BMW 801 engine and cowling design of the Fw 190, once a captured example was carefully studied. Seeing a Tempest V back in the air would be a sight and sound to behold!

[@CR4ZYHOR5E]

Very cool, Richard has been doing some great work here in the UK

[@cf6282]

CR4ZYHOR5E Seems he was involved in the SeaFury prototype rebuild as well. I was amazed to see it appear in those colours. The SeaFury is one of my favorite aircraft. Great to hear another product of Hawkers is being restored.

[@austintatious7209]

what great projects. i hope they both go well.

[@shortribslongbow5312]

Very nice video, thanks for sharing.

[@deanrobert8674]

Have all ways liked the look of the MK5 and its chin must be why the P40 rates so hight with me. I can't imagine the numbers you work with every day, the joy of being a custodian of the past that shaped the future. All the best mate from Aus.

[@EthanA1122]

I know that was you on the Piano at the end Kermit...It was a nice touch! You are so multi-talented which is cool! I'm crossing my fingers for the time that I can see Howard's twin engine sea plane lift off the ground!

[@clydecessna737]

A Graceful man.

[@bryann1119]

This is great viewing, thanks for posting.

[@Tarten21]

I still have a video somewhere were Richards father took his spitfire to RAF Scampton and swapped it with RED1 Tim Miller the Red Arrows leader at the time he flew the Spitfire and Nick flew the BAE Hawk T1 as flown by the Reds really good video.

[@f1matt]

Pretty cool to see the evolution from the Hurricane to the Sea Fury.

[@michaelfuller2153]

I must say, these planes fascinate me! Look forward to seeing them complete, one day. I'll repeat what I saw in an old video, they said the Napier Sabre powered planes had a serious carbon monoxide problem. The pilot stayed on oxygen from startup to shutdown. M.

[@joefrawley5295]

Great video! Unfortunately, for many of us vintage aircraft devotees we will not be seeing a flying Tempest anytime soon. The good news I gather is they are in good hands.

[@andrewwaller5913]

That's not true because 2 Tempests are being restored to fly in UK and Canada

[@1chish]

FunFact: Richard's mother still flies ML407 'The Grace Spitfire' but there is an American connection as its based at Bentwaters which used to be RAF Bentwaters home to the USAF 81st Tactical Fighter Wing.

[@fpvoslo]

Thanks for sharing Mr. Weeks :)

[@mattharte7334]

Great video Kermit, Richard knows his Tempests, perhaps one day when Act 3 gets going he could pick up for you where Andy left off.

[@simonpayne8252]

Yes! How poignant would that be for Richard be involved again and see that tempest V finished. Such a shame andy retired.. to hear nothing is happening at the moment is an big shame.

[@freakyflow]

Was always a fan of the Spitfire Then getting into computers and Online games I flew a Tempest Mk V in a game with over 200 plane types fighting on a pie chart map Each pie slice was a nation Each nation with its own plane types Each nation was a enemy And you fought for your land Each plane flew to what was known of that plane ..Stuka very good dive But slow climb and top speed The Tempest i used had 6 flap settings if i rememeber right 20mm cannons Diving you would have to throttle back not to overspeed more then most others Wonderful boom and zoom plane I was sad to not see real ones still flying And to hear They were being built And sent outside to be scrapped as to the order And end of war I did see one in black and yellow colors ( plane for targeting) hanging in a building London museum? Awesome your making a flying one Can't wait to see her fly !

[@rongarside-neville3535]

I've seen the work Richard has accomplished on a regular basis, i live only 4 miles from where Ultimate Warbird Flights are based. I see the wonderful Spitfire ML407 3 times a week and the wonderful Buchon's as well as the Mustang and the Thunderbolt. The chance of either a Typhoon or Tempest flying would be great

[@MegaBoilermaker]

Two incredible designs (The Napier Sabre and the Bristol Centaurus) in the engine department.

[@johncunningham4820]

Interesting to notice that This Tempest appears to have Radial Engine . I always thought these Monsters used the Napier Sabre X-24 inline engine . Fascinating to see the Skeleton of this Mighty Warbird .

[@iangascoigne8231]

The Tempest 2 does have a Bristol Centaurus radial engine.

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

You are awesome Kermit, thank you!

[@Warbird-Aviation]

very nice video!

[@cal-native]

This visit must have been very worthwhile, as I understand they've already rolled out MW763; apparently just waiting for the Centaurus to get out of the shop👍

[@JuanCarlos-gk4gg]

Awesome video. 👍🏻

[@salcombebunker1800]

Amazing Kermit great film, Chris UK.

[@ChoppersModelworks]

Being it is basically an untouched airframe it would be cool to 3D scan the entire fuselage. Then let people go through and do the final detailing to make a great resource for the future.

[@mikeburton7077]

so much work to do ! I am waiting for the day when a Sabre engine tempest flies !

[@av8tore71]

After talking with Mr. Clark I was thinking of the Hawker Sea Fury not a Tempest however that Sea Fury I was thinking of burnt up in a T hanger fire at KRFD in the 1990 along with 2 sea fury's Stinson Gull Wing and 2 Stinson Station wagons

[@alancollard8939]

would love to hear that napier sabre motor run

[@MarsFKA]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKCTfalniJiFnLM

[@mercsport]

Super vid. Pity they passed by the Napier Sabre in a blink-and-you've- missed-it moment. Just about the pinnacle of piston aero engine development.

[@falconeaterf15]

When I saw it I. Immediately thought what a great boat motor it would be!

[@garynew9637]

Look up Napier w 12 built in 1917

[@MarsFKA]

@@garynew9637 The Napier Lion. A very successful engine series. Napier thought outside the box with their engine designs and produced some extremely complex engines. The Sabre was one of them and the Deltic - used in locomotives and boats - and Nomad continued the tradition. In fact, the Nomad, which was intended for the late model Avro Shackleton, but never flew, was the ultimate piston engine in power output, efficiency, complexity and cost. I have seen one in the Smithsonian Udvar Hazy Center. Quite amazing. The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim, New Zealand has a Lion and there is a Sabre in the Classic Cars Museum in Nelson, about an hour and a half away.

[@rolandalfonso6954]

This. Was. Wonderful. The volume of work. The amazing complexity. The dedication. But, the human side rulz. ( Guy has a right to retire...for whatever reason...) Act III watchin' and waitin'.. all the best.

[@olevjorgensen]

Interesting Kermit, thanks for the video.

[@shaunroberts9361]

Thumbs up. This is awesome vlogs for sure.

[@time4history584]

great video

[@paulsheather7657]

Sad footnote Carolyn grace was killed in a car accident in Australia while visiting family.

[@prreith]

It's worth mentioning production numbers - only 1702 Tempests (II & V) were produced. Also only 3,317 Typhoons. By comparison, 15,636 P-47's alone were made.

[@ColeAviation]

Great video Kermit! Man I wished I lived closer to ya. I would love to come help you out on restorations. 😁

[@DavidStewartLovegrove]

So fantastic that you are building a flying Tempest!! Have you read 'The Big Show' by Pierre Clostermann? It is a gut wrenching rivetting true story and there is a heap of info in there about the dark side of the Tempest worth knowing. You probably know the book. Good for you, very best of British luck with this magnificent project

[@christianfournier6862]

@David_Lovegrove= I have read “Le grand cirque” (‘The big show’) several times over: a truly riveting book. No pilot easily criticizes a plane he has flown much, and Clostermann gives praise to the Tempest as a formidable fighting machine. But as I tried to read between the lines, I got the impression that for Clostermann the Tempest was an extreme plane, a “war beast”, quite unforgiving and difficult to pilot. If I remember the text (which I have not at hand) Clostermann makes a passing remark that novice pilots sent prematurely to combat on a Tempest would be undergoing inordinate risks. This hunch (I have absolutely no proof, no direct reports by pilots on this) might explain why there are so few of these WWII Tempests (and Typhoons) still flying today. The difficulty and danger of flying a Typhoon is well documented, and the accident rate of this plane (especially for early production models) speaks for itself. As for the Tempest, it would seem (from the Wikipedia notice) that pilot’s assessments of its overall qualities are better, but this does not mean that the plane was not exacting to fly! If you have information on this matter of the Tempest as a difficult plane to pilot, “not for beginners”, I would be much interested. - •

[@davewellings6281]

@@christianfournier6862 That is what I got from Clostermann, the Tempest will just as happily kill you as well as the enemy. I think the issue with these types of aircraft boil down to the end of the prop driven era. There was at that point in history too powerful engines driving massively grabby airscrews on relatively heavy airframes.

[@f1matt]

Incredible

[@benjamingraves6390]

Any updates on these projects? Excitingly rare aircraft!

[@KermitWeeks444]

No updates. They are on hold since Andy retired.

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

Very hard to believe that this young and very capable man has gone...just 40, I believe...and a husband and a dad...dreadfully sad.

[@arnhemseptember2009]

Great guy too!

[@shonny61]

Really cool video.