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.
Apologies for the wind noise, it was a very blustery day!
If you want to see footage of G-TEMT's maiden flight, click here - https://youtu.be/w_Zn9NyQtxw
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