Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 27 : Typhoon and Tempest Aces of World War 2

Hawker Typhoon and Tempest - two aircraft types with widely differing reputations. The former was a technical nightmare redeemed as a ground attack machine, whilst the latter proved to be the most superlative low and medium level fighter to see service with the RAF, and arguably any air force, during the latter stages of World War 2. Yet what of their air combat successes? Strange to relate, both types were credited with almost identical totals of enemy aircraft destroyed in the air - 246 by the Typhoon and 239 by the Tempest. The success of both aircraft in the pure fighter role was restricted not some much by their technical limitations, but by the circumstances of the air war during their respective periods of service. By the time the Typhoon was in widespread use, it was largely restricted to a defensive role as the most effective counter to marauding Luftwaffe fighter-bombers that threatened English coastal towns. When the Tempest entered service, its air combat potential was enormous. However, its entry into this field was delayed, perversely, by the aircraft's own excellence, for soon after its first air-to-air successes, it was withdrawn from the Normandy air war to spearhead defences against the V1. Nevertheless, over 40 aces flew one or both types in combat, and men like 'Foob' Fairbanks and Johnny Baldwin attained double-figure scores with the Hawker fighters. Text by Chris Thomas with illustrations by Chris Davey.

Contents

• Introduction
• Into Service and Out?
• Jabo Hunters
• 'Rhubarbs' and 'Rangers'
• D-Day and 'Divers'
• Holland
• Final Battles
• Top Scorers
• Appendices