Hawker Tempest TT Mk.5

Hawker Tempest TT.5

Target Tug

The impetus for the reconstruction of the fighter aircraft Hawker Tempest Mk.V, which after the end of World War II, the British Air Force had an excessive number, for aircraft to tow air targets, was the obsolescence of tractors used until then. type Miles Martinet. Their most significant weakness was the low speed of pulling targets, which no longer corresponded to the real conditions of air combat. Therefore, the idea arose to replace them with a faster type and Tempest F.5 seemed to be the most suitable. To explain the new designation: in the British Air Force (RAF), after the end of the war, aircraft were marked with Arabic numerals, instead of the former Roman numerals. Therefore, the Tempest Mk.V became the Tempest F.5, with the letter F denoting the category of aircraft ( Fighter - fighter).

Modifications to the serial Tempest F.5 were made by Hawker Aircraft Ltd. in Langley and these consisted of disassembly of weapons and sight which has been replaced by a winch control panel. The Malcom G Mk.II winch, located under the left wing of the aircraft, was powered by a small propeller spun by a gust of air in flight. The prototype of the Tempest TT.5 ( Target Tug - target tractor) had a serial number SN 329 and the modifications were made during May 1947. Subsequently, the machine was handed over for testing to the Test Institute of Air Weapons in Beaulieu ( Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment - AFEE). The first test flight with such a modified machine was performed by pilot T.S. Wadern on 23.06.1948. During the tests, the AFEE was abolished and the tests continued at the Boscombe Down Aircraft and Armament Testing Institute ( Airplane and Armament Experimental Establishment - A & AEE). As the tests were successful, the Ministry of Aviation commissioned Hawker Aircraft Ltd. in Langley order for the conversion of a total of 81 Tempest F.5 to Tempest TT.5 towing aircraft. Reconstructions began in December 1948 and the last aircraft was converted in May 1952.

The TT.5 tempests served as towing aircraft in the RAF in both the United Kingdom and occupied Germany. In Britain, they were incorporated under Central Gunnery School, Armament Practice Station in Acklington. In the British occupation zone in Germany, they flew as part of the 226th, 229th and 223rd Operational Conversion Units and APSs in Sylt.

Their service lasted until 1954, when they began to be gradually removed from the units and replaced by machines of the type Gloster Meteor T.7, respectively. De Havilland Mosquito TT.35. The last two pieces were downloaded on 20.07.1955 Tempesty TT.5 with serial numbers EJ 631 and SN 259 from 233. Operational Conversion Unit.

To this day, the Tempest TT.5 serial number NV 778 has been preserved as an exhibit of the Royal Air Force Museum London in Hendon.

Mikuláš, D .: Hawker Tempest, Modelpres, 1993
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest

Fotografia prototype Hawker Tempest TT.5 (serial number: SN329) with ťažným zariadením Malcom G Mk.II poháňaným vrtuľkou. Although boli skúšky successful, in radovej service sa tieto ťažné zariadenia used. Namiesto them sa rope improving on ťažné zariadenie on the bottom of the strednej part of the hull. To avoid vniknutiu ťažného ropes to kormidiel, put sa after the oboch sides chvostových plôch two protective metal lanká (see annexed image). Tractor cieľ sa pripol on the rope on the ground and after the end of the strelieb sa zhadzoval before pristátím over letiskom.

Nicholas, D.: Hawker Tempest, Modelpres, 1993
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest

.

Description vybavenia the cockpit of the TT.5 out of pilotného manual. Všimnite that zameriavač stíhacej version of bol nahradený panelom ovládania winch. Pribudli aj ďalšie device merajúce rate pohonnej vrtuľky and dĺžku vypusteného ropes.

RAF Pilot's Notes for the Tempest TT.5, AP2458E-PN, July 1950

.

Hawker Tempest TT Mk.5 (NV778)
RAF Museum , 17.11.2017.