Hawker Typhoon - The Forgotten Warbird

Reviving JP 843: Restoring the Legacy of the Hawker Typhoon
Please check out the website of our host, Brad Hodson: bradhodson.ca
"In the skies of World War 2 Europe, the Hawker Typhoon stood out as a formidable aircraft crucial to the Allied victory. With unmatched speed and performance at low altitudes, the Typhoon was a key weapon for ground attacks during the war, notably in the Normandy landings and beyond. Now, the Typhoon Legacy project, led by Ian Slater, aims to restore JP 843, a significant airframe with a rich history. This ambitious endeavor faces the challenge of scarce surviving Typhoon remnants and the need to reconstruct the aircraft from limited information and components. Join us on this journey of restoration and discovery as we bring back to life a piece of aviation history."
In the inaugural episode of "The Hawker Typhoon Podcast," delve into the legacy of the formidable Hawker Typhoon aircraft. Explore the pivotal role played by the Typhoon in World War 2, particularly in ground attacks during key historical events like the Normandy landings. Join Ian Slater and the Typhoon Legacy project as they strive to resurrect the renowned aircraft, focusing on the restoration of the significant airframe JP 843. Uncover the challenges faced in restoring this piece of aviation history, from the scarcity of surviving Typhoon components to the meticulous process of reconstructing the aircraft from limited information and materials. Learn about the journey of discovery and dedication behind bringing back to life an iconic symbol of Allied victory.

[@paramarky]

This guy is a god send regarding saving English WW2 aviation history. The world is lucky to have his type.

[@alasdairblack393]

BRITISH not English!

[@jackthebassman1]

Thank you Ian for your dedication to make this forgotten aircraft fly again.Yesterday I paid another visit to the RAF museum at Hendon in the UK, they have two examples of this amazing aeroplane on display- they are huge compared with their contemporary fighters and could be described as brutal looking. Also I must comment on your encyclopaedic knowledge and once again dedication to the project. Many, many thanks and good luck.

[@oxcart4172]

2? Unlikely, as there's only one left (at the moment!)

[@jackthebassman1]

@@oxcart4172 thats what I thought, I'll double check, maybe I was mistaken

[@oxcart4172]

@jackthebassman1 They have a Tempest as well, they're very similar

[@jackthebassman1]

@@oxcart4172 I just checked, I was just leaving that section and spotted the Tempest sort of over my shoulder, as my brother was walking ahead of me i felt obliged to give it a cursory glance and catch him up. Apologies, you're quite right of course.

[@oxcart4172]

@@jackthebassman1 No problem. We all make mistakes. All the best to you and yours

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

I've always loved that aircraft...

[@busterdee8228]

Ian: historian, draftsman, engineer, metal smith, and diplomat.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

"It takes a village". Most credit must be given to our team of designers and researchers! ~Ian

[@busterdee8228]

@@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd Your dad made you say that ;)

[@markcorboy8528]

I have followed your rebuilding of this aircraft for many years and even have a t shirt but can’t believe you have been interested in this restoration since you were 12yrs old. Makes me even more determined to live long enough to see JP843 fly again and honour the kiwi pilot Richard price who died bailing out of it so long ago. Well done getting this far and still making progress.

[@pjb5757]

The Typhoon was an amazing aircraft and its great knowing that there is a very dedicated team restoring one of these aircraft. It is a forgotten piece of our success on D-day. Lest we forget.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

It was dangerous to its crews. Even by D-Day there were pilots getting killed by structural failures in dives, squadrons were too busy to fit the supplied rear fuselage vibration fix kits. Pilots were regarded as expendable in wartime.

[@pjb5757]

@@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935 I know it was dangerous, I've visited a grave of one of its young pilots who was killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in the cockpit. Yes, it had many teething problems but it was pushing the envelope in so many other ways and I think it needs to be remembered for that.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

The tail failure fix was complete on all operational Typhoons by later in 1943, any structural failures would have had to be the result of another issue by D-Day. ~Ian

[@danieldonaldson8634]

I monitor this project on KZbin, and I always wish Ian would post more frequently. At the same time, I completely understand how much of a burden it is to both do the work, while also having to star in, and be the director of, a movie about what he does day to day. I wonder if finding a media partner wouldn't be good idea. The reason for my interest, as I've mentioned on Ian's videos once, has a lot to do with the mythology of the airplane in our family. A man I never met, my great-uncle Melsom Gee, flew these beasts, and and made the ultimate sacrifice on D-Day. Last seen, the myth goes, flying towards German forces, seemingly to draw fire away from a damaged wing man. Plane was never found, his fate is unknown. This in turn was a shattering event for my father, who idolized his unbelievably (for a 12 year old boy) glamorous flyer uncle. He spoke of him all his life as though Mel had died the year before. Finally my father joined Napier in the UK as an engineer-apprentice after getting his degree after the war, and worked on the Deltics. But he was obsessed with the design and ambition of the Sabre, and knew/worked under many of the engineers and draughties that had made it, who hung on after the war.

[@pjb5757]

@@danieldonaldson8634 my great uncle was an Observer serving in the RNZAF he was part of 224 sqn RAF Coastal Command he was their bombing leader he lost his life in WW2 flying home from an anti submarine sweep their Liberator encountered fuel problems and crashed whilstattempting an emergency landing. He was laid to rest in Devon. I visited his grave, there are a number of Airmen burried there and one of them is the young pilot I mentioned in my earlier comment. Like you I remember my great uncle he was part of a generation that should never be forgotten. I admire these groups trying to restore these old aircraft in memory of these young men. Best wishes to you from NZ.

[@HeidiLandRover]

Love the lighting here. That view of Ian with all those clecos behind him is fantastic!

[@PATRIK67KALLBACK]

Thank you Ian for this great background interview!

[@alancrowley7991]

Excellent production Ian Keep em comin....👌

[@waynebeasley8700]

Great seeing the message get out there to other people….hopefully these podcasts will add to the roster of us supporters!

[@ianmatthews1862]

Wonderful commitment and enthusiasm, thank you from the UK

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

I appreciate your support! ~Ian

[@David-yo5ws]

Brad Hodson has put together a great interview that encapsulates a 'Don Quixote' type visionary, namely Ian Slater, whose goal to get this plane built is truly inspirational and I am really feeling committed to see him reach the finish line. I hope this interview gives a boost to the donations that Ian needs to get the 'farmed out' work done.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Brad and Rob have really done an exceptional job putting this series together, I'm very please that you have enjoyed the first one! ~Ian

[@mikeazpiroz9292]

Ian you impress me every time I see you. I'm so glad to have served with you and am fortunate to have you as a friend. Well done good sir.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Very kind Mike, I can say the same! ~Ian

[@waynes8290]

Fantastic summary of your and JP843’s history Ian. So good to see your childhood dreams progressively come true. Really appreciate the efforts of everyone involved to finally have a flying Typhoon with a Sabre engine. Who would have thought!!

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Thank you so much for this one!~Ian

[@robertpatrick3350]

Excellent commentary on sleeve valves and the achievements of the engineers and metallurgists.

[@davidlawrencebanks4610]

Awesome Ian, nice to see you again. Fingers crossed on the funding. Look forward to a new project update soon 👍👌

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Thanks David, have you been following progress on our website: www.typhoonlegacy.com

[@robertpatrick3350]

My Grandfather would be delighted, he recounted how Tiff’s repeatedly came to their assistance as they pushed up from D day to the Crossing of the Rhine.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Did you preserve and of his stories? It would be wonderful to hear them. ~Ian

[@mirimar69]

Thoroughly enjoyed this presentation👍

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Thank you very much!! ~Ian

[@garynew9637]

Great interview in a fantastic set.

[@oxcart4172]

My god, you've been busy on that fuselage!

[@stewartgrant9832]

A dollar here and a dollar there. We can make it happen at the click of a button, while Ian has to actually do the hard work!

[@internalcombustion641]

My Father a RCAF mechanic used to say it had long landing gear because it had such big propeller, he worked on all types of fighters during WW2 but I had the feeling the Typhoon was his favorite.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

If one had to choose between longer gear or a shorter tail to clear the 14' diameter propeller, the longer gear would be the sound choice! ~Ian

[@Michael-he7xn]

I’m pleased that I’ve been donating to Ian’s mammoth project for several years now. I wish that I could locate something of value (ie, a spare Sabre in a barn) that could help him along. Ya, I know that I’m living vicariously through somebody else’s project.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

While the donation of a spare Sabre would be phenomenal, we really appreciate the support you have been giving us, thank you! ~Ian

[@402440]

Absolutely amazing commitment to the project, good luck 👍

[@richardandrews6754]

Hi Ian, great to see the progress you have made. please keep us posted

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Will do ~Ian

[@terrygreen9107]

Excellent interview cheers Ian thanks for sharing 👍

[@michaelguerin56]

Good video. Thank you gentlemen.

[@allanrichards3752]

A superb interview and very informative. Clearly a big thing to overcome is acquiring a flyable Napier Sabre engine. My first question would be "is there a running Napier Sabre engine in the world, even a ground running one?" I know that Kermit Weeks has (at least) two engines and in his video there was talk of only a late mod standard engine being safe to fly in modern times and these engines were those used in the Indian airforce Typhoons. Is it even possible to say scratch build an engine but I see this as a massive task.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

No Sabre has run since approximately 1955, a rebuild is certainly possible, a new build is as well. The limiting factor will be obtaining the required funding / sponsorship to complete some of the casting and forging processes. ~Ian

[@Mark-jp9dz]

I have just read that the Southampton Aviation Museum (in UK) has a Napier. I have no idea of it's condition or even if they still have it, but I would believe that a museum would be happy to have a cut-away engine as a display, and it seems worth exploring further to exchange these engines.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

They sure do, on loan from BHT. ~Ian

[@Mark-jp9dz]

@@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd ? Approach to BHT??

[@oxcart4172]

Thanks

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Thank you very much my friend! ~Ian

[@BeefKaKE971]

The beard covers up the puffy cheeks. 🤣 Awesome interview Ian, its an amazing project!

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

In Canada, you're only allowed to fight bears if you have a beard. ~Ian

[@mtacoustic1]

Any coordination Kermit Weeks? I understand he has both Tempest II and V restoration projects underway. Not Typhoons, but still much similar construction and engine design. All the best with your project! Love the Typhoon - a real bulldog of an aircraft!

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Kermit has always helped where he can, a nice guy. ~Ian

[@pat36a]

I'm sure you know this already ... Kermit Weeks is re starting his Tempas 5 build. He has two engines, 1 early and 1 later. Kermit just shipped it back to England to finish it. He not going to use the early one and talked about maybe trading it for a cut away for his museum. Always look for your videos, look forward to an update.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Thank you! It's always better to hear things twice than to miss out completely! Wonderful news to hear any advancement on Sabre overhaul! ~Ian

[@flypawels]

👍

[@johnnyliminal8032]

Good talk. Love your project, brother. Wasn’t the Typhoon used to deal with V-1 cruise missiles? Because it had the speed?. Not sure I have my years right, I saw a Napier Sabre on display at the aviation museum at Rocklcliff Airport by Ottawa ON, probs early 80’s.

[@minipup1]

That was the Tempest V.

[@anonymous8780]

Mustang III, Spitfire XIV, Tempest V, Mosquito, P-47M running at 150 grade fuel were used to shoot down V-1s.

[@givenfirstnamefamilyfirstn3935]

Most people do not realise that the WW2 fighter top speeds were at from about 18,000 to 25,000 feet and a True Airspeed of 400 mph at height might have an Indicated Airspeed of 260 mph, that is the reduced physical ‘feel’ of the much thinner air at high altitude. That 400 mph True Airspeed at 22,000 feet fighter would have a both True Airspeed and Indicated Airspeed of 260 mph down at sea level, down in the dense air we normally experience. The air at 260 down low feels like the air at 400 up high. The V1 flying bombs might seem slow at ‘only’ 350 mph but that was down at 2,000 feet. Only the very fastest and most advanced fighters could match that speed in the dense air near sea level.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

I have read that some Typhoons took down the V1s, but would imagine the numbers were limited. The Tempest was good at this job! ~Ian

[@minipup1]

@@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd I belive they took down about 23 Ian, which is more than the Meteor managed.

[@charlesfrancis6894]

Canada was always first to help the old country in war and paid a high price that's why I love Canadians.

[@anthonywilson4873]

Read the book “The Day of the Typhoon”. Anyone that says their input was exaggerated is humbled by reality. Alone they stopped a massive German Armoured column about to wipe out a forward US contingent. Read the book! It was was written by a Typhoon Pilot who was there and corroborated by local French and US troops in the area.

[@anonymous8780]

What is the intro / outro song?

[@SmedleyDouwright]

With all this work re-discovering the design, they should consider "restoring" several airframes.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

The capability is there now, however we've not met with any interested parties in having one done. Let us know if you know anyone who wants a Typhoon! ~Ian

[@johndavey72]

Really interesting conversation lan . I do wish l could donate but l just don't have the spare cash . But who knows what's around the corner ? Thankyou lan

[@busterdee8228]

Doesn't Kermit Weeks have two Sabres? He was advised to use his late version, so maybe the early one can help in some way.

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Time will tell, the Sabre world is very small! ~Ian

[@user-xj6rr3yv8q]

"first piston engine to generate 2,000 hp." what about the PW 2800?

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Very good point, both first runs were within months of each other, and the 2800 may have come first. It appears as though the Sabre was put into production first. A cheeky note regarding the 2800.... it needed an extra nine liters of displacement to make the same power. ~Ian

[@babaganoush6106]

hi i was really impressed with this vid so i have donated 10 cad plus fees. not much but i hope it helps

[@TyphoonLegacyCoLtd]

Your donation is sincerely appreciated, thank you very much! ~Ian