The Hawker Tempest Page

The Aircraft » Marks » Mark VI

Tempest Mk. VI

The Tempest Mk VI was basically a Tempest V airframe modified to accept the 2,340hp Sabre V engine. Externally similar to the Tempest V, the Mk VI featured wing root air intakes similar to those installed on the Tempest II. The use of wing air intakes, for the oil cooler and carburetor, left the nose area free to house a larger engine coolant radiator.
The Sabre V´s higher power output made it necessary to have this extra cooling which was especially important since the Tempest VI had been selected to be the standard RAF fighter for service in the Middle East.
The Tempest VI prototype (HM595, which had earlier served as the Mk V prototype) was initially tested during February of 1945.

Tempest VI (NX135)

Wing span:
Wing area:
Length:
Height (tail down):
Weight (empty):
Weight (loaded):
Maximum speed:
Time to height:
Powerplant:
Max power:
Propeller diameter:
Numbers built:

41ft 0in
302 sq ft
33ft 10,5in
16ft 1in
9,150lb
11,560lb
438 mph at 17,800ft
4,75 mins to 15,000ft
Napier Sabre Mk V
2,340hp
4-blade 14ft 0in
142

Sources:

Hawker Tempest (4+ Publication)
Typhoon/Tempest in action (Squadron/Signal Publications No 102)

The Typhoon & Tempest Story (Chris Thomas & Christopher Shores)
Chris Thomas

Hawker Typhoon/Tempest, Famous airplanes of the World No. 63
Scale Models February 1973, by Bob Jones
Famous Airplanes of the World, Hawker Typhoon/Tempest.