Tempest at War - Tempest on VHS/DVD!!

From the backcover of the DVD: "On its introduction into RAF service in April 1944, the Hawker Tempest proved to be a truly outstanding fighter/bomber. It was the fastest aircraft in RAF, highly manoeuvrable and packed a real punch. Equipped with 4 x 20mm cannons, it also carried bombs and rockets, which made it as fierce a ground attack aircraft as a fighter. From the backcover of the DVD: "On its introduction into RAF service in April 1944, the Hawker Tempest proved to be a truly outstanding fighter/bomber. It was the fastest aircraft in RAF, highly manoeuvrable and packed a real punch. Equipped with 4 x 20mm cannons, it also carried bombs and rockets, which made it as fierce a ground attack aircraft as a fighter.

Surviving Tempest pilots and ground crew provide a fascinating insight into what it was like to fly and fight in the Tempest, recalling dogfights with Fw190s and Me262s, shooting down and "wing tipping" V1 Flying Bombs, a highly dangerous occupation, and stalking the skies of a ravaged Nazi Germany looking for targets of opportunity on the ground below.
Expert commentary is provided by Kev Darling, author of many respected books on fighter aircraft."

 

Running time: 68 mins approx with 7 mins extras.
Colour & B/W
Format: PAL 4x3
Audio: Stereo
Possible to order from DD Home Entertainment

 

 

Webmaster review:
A VHS/DVD about the Tempest is of course fantastic news. There has never been a "commercial" film which is about the Tempest, so I ordered my copy (DVD) right away!
The film is split up into 8 chapters: Introduction, The Unsang Heroes, The Doodlebugs, Stop the V1's, Operation Market Garden, Tempest vs Me262, Tempest Mk II and The Fate of the Tempest. The Extras is the technical film "Tempest Hydraulics - Fair Wear & Tear". I have watched the film twice now and....well, it's awesome to see the Tempest in action during take-off, landing and flight. A number of pilots are interviewed (among others Flt Lt Robert Barckley and Sqn Ldr Bruce Lawless) and it's fascinating to hear theirs stories. I think the best part is the technical film, which is used both as extras and in the main film... The recognition and weapons testing clips are also gems of the film. But the film are poorly edited, same scenes are shown 3-4 times. And the quality of some scenes are very dark, and should be possible to correct with todays computer technology (compare with what has been done with The Memphis Belle). A large number of stills and drawings are used in the film, why? And they are mostly of lower quality... And as an example; When they tell that the two versions built are the Mk V and Mk II, they show a still of a Mk. V and..... a Mk. V fitted with the annular radiator!! Heavens!!! And there are more of these mistakes.. Despite all of my complains I really recommend this VHS/DVD. It's the first Tempest VHS/DVD, and must be in every Tempest interested home.

 

 

This page was last updated May 5 2005