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Pete Kynsey completed the first flight in a Hawker Tempest Mk.II in decades when he flew MW763 on October 10, 2023, at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire, England. The aircraft had undergone an extensive restoration by Anglia Aircraft Restoration Ltd., and its return to flight was covered by several aviation news outlets.
The Hawker Tempest II at Sywell is notable as the only airworthy example of its kind. Originally serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during World War II, it was later transferred to the Indian Air Force as part of post-war efforts. The Tempest Mk II featured a Bristol Centaurus radial engine instead of the Napier Sabre inline engine used in earlier models, which affected its deployment timeline during the war.
The Tempest gained a reputation for intercepting V-1 flying bombs and attacking ground targets with its four 20mm cannons. Its speed and maneuverability made it effective against both rocket bombs and enemy aircraft at low altitudes. As World War II ended, many Tempests were sent to India and present-day Pakistan but saw little combat due to the conflict's conclusion.
