| Description: |
The Hawker Tempest was designed to improve upon the successful Typhoon, and was first flown on February 24th, 1943. It boasts an excellent low-altitude performance and was one of the main aircraft used to deal with German V-1 missiles. During the preparation for and execution of D-Day landings RAF No. 8- Squadron was protecting Great Britain flying Spitfires. They then transitioned to Hawker Tempests and continued their defense in an anti-V-1 flying bomb role, part of Operation Diver. After the war No. 80 Squadron was transferred to the Netherlands. The markings on Tempest EJ705 "W2-X" are unique in that it is not a tribute to a wife or girlfriend, but to Australia, with an image of a kangaroo holding an Australian flag. EJ705 racked up 4 kills before it was destroyed after an engine fire on startup. |