| Summary of History | ||
| Date | Note | Code/Serial |
| 1945 | Built at Hawker Aircraft Ltd at Langley (Contract ACFT/2438/C.23(a) | MW763 |
| Oct 1946 | Ferried to 20 MU at Aston Down | MW763 |
| 28 May 1948 | Bought by Hawker from RAF surplus stocks, refurbished and sold to India | HA586 |
| 21 June 1949 | First test flight flown from Langley by Eric Stanley Morrell | HA586 |
| 1949 | Delivered to Indian Air Force, flown with No. 5 Sqn. | HA586 |
| 1979 | Recovered by Warbirds of GB Ltd, Blackbushe | HA586 |
| 1980 | E. Nick Grace/Tangmere Flight | MW763 |
| 1988 | Brian Angliss/Autokraft Ltd, Brooklands | MW763 |
| 9 Oct 1989-1992 | Autokraft Limited, Brooklands | G-TEMT/MW763 |
| 1995?- | Tempest Two Ltd | G-TEMT/MW763 |
| 3 June 2014 | Anglia Aircraft Restorations | G-TEMT/MW763 |
| March 2019 | Listed as a "current project" at Air Leasing Ltd | G-TEMT/MW763 |
| 24 May 2021 | First Roll out, painted as 5R-V (PR533) | G-TEMT/MW763 |
| 10 Oct 2023 | First post restoration flight | G-TEMT/MW763 |
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Tempest Mk.II HA586, ex-RAF MW763, as found at Poona in India in 1979.
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MW763 late 1980s. Photos taken by John Green, volunteer at Autokraft.
(Photos via Peter Arnold.)
Restoration progress reports:
In February 2004 Tom Woodhouse reports:"MW763 could possibly be ready for Flying Legends 2004 but the last I heard was that Mike Nixon still hadn't even started the engine restoration and he'd had the engine for two years previous to that anyway! The Flypast picture (May 2002 issue) was taken when Gerry and the lads had hung their spare (not overhauled) Centaurus on the airframe to get the cowlings complete and as many systems fitted as possible, otherwise the airframe is ready to go pending the arrival of the engine." |
In November 2005 Tom Woodhouse reports:"The Tempest will hopefully be finished later next year (2006), I doubt it'll be ready for Legends as Gerry's got a big job to do overseas this winter with his aerial mapping company. He now has 3 serviceable magnetos and is awaiting the engine back from Nixon." |
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In February 2007 Kevin Strickson reports:"When I spoke to one of the engineers from Tempest Two Ltd., he said that they had four Tempests in total and they were building two flyers and one static (if possible) out of the bits. As you can see from the photograph, Tempest Two Ltd. has done an excellent job in restoring this particular bird from its original state. It awaits the return of the engine that has been sat with California-based Nixon engines for the past two years being serviced - once this is done it should be a relatively straight forward job of assembly and then it has to have its CAA airworthiness checks." |
Latest "rumours" in April 2008:According to FlyPast's "UK WARBIRDS 2008 - The Comprehensive Guide" MW763 is now "undergoing final assembly at a private location in Lincolnshire". There is also a post on Flypast's Forum saying they now have started to renovate the engine in USA!! So is MW763 back in air in 2008 or 2009??!! |
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In June 2009 Kevin Strickson reports:"Just been over to Wickenby Wheels and Wings and she was outside with an engine in place. Unfortunately not with the renovated engine. She is said to fly in 2010 :) " |
In June 2010 Kevin Strickson reports:"I would love to have bought you some new pictures of this rare machine. Today & yesterday has been Wickenby's wheels and wings display. The machine was tucked away in the far side hanger covered in dust in exactly the same state as it was last year. It still has an old engine in and the panels are in the same state and no propeller. It seems to still be awaiting an engine. The reason it seems it was not on display is Mr Cooper is in North Africa, so none of his frames were available to view without his permission. So another year me thinks before it see's the daylight again .... if anything changes I'll hopefully get to see it." |
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In July 2013.....:MW763 is now for sale on AvBuyer.com: "OFFERS IN EXCESS OF £650,000 BE THE FIRST TO OWN A FLYING EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE WARBIRD THIS CENTURY. THIS AIRCRAFT HAS BEEN UNDERGOING A TOTAL REBUILD AND IS NOW ALMOST COMPLETE. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE UK AND VIEWING IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. THE ENGINE IS CURRENTLY WITH VINTAGE V12 IN THE USA AND US$100,000 HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID TO THEM. IN ALL WELL OVER £500,000 HAS BEEN SPENT ON THE RESTORATION." |
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In May 2014:MW763 is on the move! More info and a photo in the link below.
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On 21 May 2014 "North Weald Airfield" reports on Facebook:"Catching up on a new arrival, now we have permission to post the images. Hawker Tempest II, MW763, was brought by road from Wickenby last Wednesday 14 May. It will be restored to flying condition in due course by the engineers from Weald Aviation."
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On 6 June 2014 Peter Arnold visited North Weald:and Tim Manna who has the contract to rebuild the Tempest. Peter took this photo! |
In September 2014 issue FlyPast reports:This is a significant project for Weald Aviation Services. Over the next months, a new purpose-build bay will be erected in one of the hangars, so the airframe can be assessed. The fighter's Bristol Centaurus engine has already been transported from the US to North Weald, and will now be worked on by engineers to return it to serviceable condition. Weald Aviation's boss Russ Smith told FlyPast:
"We are honoured to have been chosen and trusted to undertake the restoration of such iconic fighter. We look forward to seeing it back in the UK skies, looking as spectacular as ever. The process is expected to take around two years, give or take a month or so."
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On 7 November 2015 "North Weald Airfield" reports on Facebook:"A photo from the engine shop today and work continuing on the Tempest II Centaurus, this part being a con rod assembly." |
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On 11 March 2016 "North Weald Airfield" reports on Facebook:"Our Hawker Tempest II 'MW763' (G-TEMT) is progressing well through her major restoration. As shown in the images, we have manufactured jigs for the fully monocoque rear fuselage section and tail fin section. The rear fuselage section is now almost complete, with new skins, frames and stringers fitted. There remains only a few pieces to be fitted in order to complete this section, before moving on to beginning construction of the very complex fin section which is currently complete in kit form. The wings and horizontal stabiliser are waiting patiently for their chance to be given some TLC! The forward canopy section is being rebuilt in anticipation of the return of the tubular structure cockpit section which is away for complete inspection and overhaul. The long process of reconditioning all of the cockpit controls, panels and dials to their original glory has also begun.Our engine shop is a hive of activity at the moment, our team are working full steam ahead on the engine for the Tempest II. The very rare Bristol Centaurus V/VI power-plant for the Tempest is progressing well, with the bulk of components now in state ready for rebuild. The crank case and connecting rods along with a large amount of other parts have undertaken a unique varnishing treatment to increase their life and strength, which should give our engines a superb life span once complete. The finished articles look stunning as can be seen from the before and after shots below, and are a testament to our engine team for pushing this process through in order to make our engines some of the highest quality Centaurus' you're ever likely to find."
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In January 2018 issue FlyPast reports:Darren Harbar visits Airframe Assemblies and talks to the boss Steve Vizard in an article, and there is some info regarding MW763 including two photos: "Wings for the Anglia Aircraft Restorations Hawker Tempest II MW763 (G-TEMT) were in the process of having major components removed in preparation for restoration to airworthy standard. Steve explained that jigs were being produced for these wings." "In the mezzanine, Steve showed the rudder for Anglia Aircraft Restorations Tempest II, which was on a workbench." |
In March 2019:MW763 is now listed as a "current project" at Air Leasing Ltd. Air Leasing is run by Mother and Son team of Carolyn and Richard Grace and is based at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. |
Posted on Youtube on 3 July 2019 by Kermit Weeks:
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In February 2020 issue FlyPast reports:At last an Airworty Tempest? "The "carrot" of an airworthy Hawker Tempest has been dangling for years. However, it appears the dream will finally come true, as Air Leasing's Richard Grace reveals." Buy your copy of FlyPast February 2020 and read the complete article. Lots of photos of MW763, now painted and marked as 5R-V (PR533)! |
On 13 February 2021 The Vintage Aviation Echo writes:"That aircraft, Hawker Tempest Mk. II MW763, is in the advanced stages of restoration at Sywell. When it flies – and it will soon – it will be the world’s only airworthy example of the type. As of January 2021, the airframe is complete and the aircraft sits on its undercarriage. Short of propeller – which is weeks away from completion at the time of writing – it is almost ready for engine runs." Read the full interview with Richard Grace here: |
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On 24 May 2021 Ultimate Warbird Flights writes on Facebook:"Hawker Tempest II MW763 G-TEMT
First roll out of G-TEMT, owned by Anglia Aircraft Restorations, coming to the end of restoration and now only waiting for completion of the Bristol Centaurus VI engine.
The scheme is that of 33 Sqdn as worn in Malaya in the 1950’s
We hope you like it!"
Visit Ultimate Warbird Flights on Facebook to see the photos! If we like it?? Oh yeah! :-) :
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On 19 April 2023 Ultimate Warbird Flights writes on Facebook:"First proper engine run of Hawker Tempest II G-TEMT’s mighty Bristol Centaurus 6 engine, what a beauty!" Ultimate Warbird Flights (with a movie clip!) Photo: Andrew Waller |
On 29 June 2023 Ultimate Warbird Flights writes on Facebook:"Fighter Aviation’s Tempest II is another step closer to flight today!" MW763 taxing for the first time in many many years! Ultimate Warbird Flights (with a movie clip!) |
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On 11 October 2023 Ultimate Warbird Flights writes on Facebook:"Following an exciting day yesterday, we were a bit busy ensuring that the wonderful Tempest II arrived safely at Duxford following its post restoration flight. |
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On 6 January 2024 Sywell 2024 writes on Facebook:"So who fancies seeing the Hawker Tempest II alongside the Hawker Fury II then? Both will be at #sywell2024 This show is the mastermind of Ultimate Warbird Flights alongside Sywell Aerodrome." |
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Warplane Workshop "Flight of the Tempest":Don't miss Series 2 Episode 2: "Engineer and pilot Richard fight to complete a 40-year project to return the RAF's fastest WWII fighter, the Hawker Tempest, to the sky": |
On 22 August 2024 Aviation Highlights posted a video on YT:"On 10th October 2023, the world's only airworthy Hawker Tempest Mk.II took to the skies for the first time following an extensive 34 year restoration. Since then, until yesterday (21st August 2024), only one other sortie had been flown. With many hoping to see G-TEMT fly at air displays in 2024, unforeseeable setbacks - which we're not short of in the aviation world - have kept it sitting patiently in Duxford's hangar 2. The problem with owning and operating an aircraft which is the only one of its type is that when something goes wrong, you can find yourself waiting a while to get it going again due to lack of available parts etc. It is also a very complex machine, in particular its engine - the Bristol Centaurus. Anyway, after many hard engineering hours and a number of high power engine runs to ensure all was well, yesterday - nine months and twenty days after the previous flight - was the opportunity to see this incredible machine back in the air! With Pete Kynsey back at the helm, MW763 departed Duxford at 1130 hrs before returning at 1149 hrs. Hopefully all went well and before too long, she'll be gracing the skies again." |
via Peter Arnold
Text sources:
Kevin Strickson
Tom Woodhouse
FlyPast Nov 2002
Aeroplane Nov 2001