The Hawker Tempest II owed much of it's features to a closely inspected captured Focke-Wulf Fw-190, and first flew on the 28th of June 1943 but lack of production capability resulted in the production being delayed until Bristol were able to produce the aircraft under licence, the first example rolling off the production line in early October 1944, production remaining with Bristol until Hawker was able to produce the Tempest II itself. A total of 452 Tempest II's were built but were never to see action in WWII although they had been earmarked to join "Tiger Force" in the Pacific theatre. In 1947 24 aircraft were transferred from the FAR to the Pakistani Air Force and a further 89 to the Indian Air Force. Specification: Hawker Tempest II Crew: Pilot only Length: 10.49m Wing span: 12.49m Empty weight: 4045kg Loaded weight: 5360kg Engine: Single 2,520 hp Centaurus V or VI radial piston engine Maximum speed: 711kph (442mph) @ 4600m Service ceiling: 11400m Maximum range: 1320km
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