love the pictures! Thanks guys.

That first picture is a beaut FT.

Picked up the Dec. issue of Flight Journal and lo and behold Tempest combat tales complete with a Roy Grinnell painting on lead. Eleven Temp pics....

Something of a shame that the Tempest II wasn’t put to the “ultimate test” of combat. It would of made a great addition to '1946' as well, an excellent low-medium altitude jet chaser for those that prefer prop jobs over jets.

According to the RAE evaluation, it was much nicer to fly than the Mk V, being quieter and less prone to vibration. Only flaw was a slight inferiority in turns to the Mk V, and a tendency to “tighten up” in turns above 15,000 ft.

It was also something of a beast at low altitude:

417 mph on the deck, 4,700 fpm initial climb and a FTH of just 11,500 ft. It was anywhere from 10-20 mph faster than the Tempest V, and 350-1000 fpm better in the climb, all the way up to its service ceiling. It also accelerated better. Cleaner lines, lower drag and a 2,300 hp Centarus up front certainly added something to an already formidable aircraft.

Another RAF coulda/woulda/shoulda would be the Spitfire Mk 21/22/24 with contra-rotating props and a 2,350 hp Griffon. A fine aircraft, once they got the handling problems sorted.