__ | £7.50Tis 1 June 1942, The RAF's aieraft is in ils third day o small detachments operatn and West I flying defensiv ates fighter from Man ampnett (no Good ood) airfield patrols in pairs. Their im isto eounter the Fw 190 and Bt 109 nui Js which had proved t the RAF’s Spitfire Vs. The R/T to ofthe nev intereeptory climb ate a "Bogey’. At 17,000 ft cama thud iato both aircraft shih tall mio the Channel with the loss of one of th Not, however, two more victories for the »chisive for les and 1 shells Luftwaffe. but an indication of just two of the problems facing the new Hawker Typhoon on is introduction 1ato service lack of hi pe ties Fw 190 ‘Canadian Spies The later pr most bizatre markings yet seen on. operational RAP fighters: the lack of high level pert The victors were wo would Kea to th be solved bur perversely nation on low-level opera tions wshich proved to be the T forte The story had begun in 19 ‘Camm (later to be knighted), Havker'schiet jesigner, turned his thoughts from the Hurricane, which was aboat to enter servie RAF. to its prospective successor ‘Typhoon prototype P5212 around the time: oF ite fire fight n Febroary 1940. Note the Sriginal small rudder and triple. axtaust the time the pleture was taken” (BAe) 7 when Syney with the The next generation of double the Merlin’s ower and Camm pro posed to utilise one of these engines 10 ive fis new fighter a top speed in excess of 400 ph. This proposal was submitted to the Air Ministry in July 1987 but the company was vised that @ Specification for a new RAP Fighter would” be issued. shor Specification F.18/37 appeared in January 1938 and called. for Hurnicane and Spitire follow the Hurricane into service; ils out requirement was that the Bew ai alt shad have a8 speed replacement for the which was due (0 stand as possible over the contemporary boat It was expected therefore tht the Iype would have atop speed in excess of 400 itera Armament was co be “aot less han 12 Browning euns (0.303 in)". As both mph power plants considered by Camm were ia ‘The Hawker Typhoon’s forte in battle was that of hard hi ‘and anti-personnel rockets, the Rolls Royce powered version was known as the “RType and the Napier-engined design was known asthe “N-Type", The Ait Ministry responded quickly with « contract ‘TWOOF ACH Construction of the first two prototypes in at Hawker's Kingston-on-Thames factory in March 1938. The "R-Type" waImachine gune became As. (BAe) Above ‘ht, R970, the third production aircraft ‘one, but many wore subsequonthy m {0 have tronsparent fai fitted with a Rolls Royce Vulture engine whilst the “NeType" had a Napier Sabre: both engines were expected w develop inthe region of 2,000 hyp. Eventually the prow: ‘ypes were named, the “R-Type" becoming the Tomado and the ‘N‘Type' the Typhooa, thas continuing Hawker’s ‘winds theme Both types were of all-metal construction wih Hawkers patented tubular construction For the front half of the fuselage and a mo fveque alloy shell to the rear. Except for tips, each wing was builtin wide-track undercarriage completed an extremely robust design, The 1 types were ‘of similar appearance except for tie engine ‘mountings and the positioning of the ras tors = bet the Tomado (Gas per the Hurricane) and immediately Tira binst pon at Martlesham Heath in Oetobor 1942, theneath the nose on the Typhoon. The latter position, which gave the Typhoon its char fActeristic aggressive look, was eventually proved o be more aerodynamically efficient fun! was apted for subsequent Tomado prototypes, ‘More rapid progress with the Vulture allowed the Tornado to fly first, on 6 October 1949. The Typhoon followed itinto the air some four and a half months later on 24 February 1940. Brin was now. of course, at war and orders were placed for 1,000 ofthe new fighters, 50 Tornados, 250 Typhoons and a. further type proved to be the most successful. It soon became evideat that there were serious problems with both powerplants but despite these shosicomings arrangements were made for production of both types. As the parent Hawker company was fully occupied with Hurricane production the new types were 10 be built by other members of the Hawker Siddeley Group. the Typhoon by Gloster Aireraft at Huecleeote and the Tomade by “Typhoon 1B R7646 was the first alreraft 10 Rave he. traneparant fairing aft of the Mowers for 2 iuatod at ‘only to. be ‘orapped in 1940. (BAe)Hawker Typhoon camouflage and markings Ben Hm DRAWINGS BY DAVID HOWLEYTyphoon 1B RBTAZELA BENG oF Eien petty Typhoon 1A 7561047 0 No, er Poco menage ee ES - Typhoon IB EK273,6.DT of No, 195 Bugssion shan, June 1848 iow = ihe squadron ‘code bre hi Typhoon Ww ox2570°9 Norther Namo ie red betiveen red and bla Avro at Woodford George Medal ing an enlarged fin and rudder whieh ‘Meanwhile text flying coatinucd although With the onsct of the Bate of Britain, improved directional stability. Tt was soon sngine faults caused many of these early development work throughcut the aitcraft_ followed by the first production Typhoon flights to end with foreed or precaunionary industry ws curtailed in favour of produc~ whic took to the air on 27 May 1941, and landings. The Typhoon programme would tion of mich needed existing types and as a was similar to the second prototype except hhive been furtherdelayed had itt been for result the second Typhoon didnot fy until 3 that it reverted to the machine gun armament touperb demonstration of the test pilots art May (941. This machine was armed with — ewing to the shortage of Chatellerault ean: by. Philip Lucas. On-9 May 1940 the four 20m cannon whereas the fist proto- non feed mechanisms. This version would Known as the Mk, 1A and 110 were built before the cannon supply problem Was over ‘Typhoon. prototype 12 which he wats type fad carried 12 machine guns. T also stractie aft ofthe cockpit which caused dis, tortion of the fuselage and progressive tar | ing of the stressed skin covering ofthe rear fuselage monocox ily have continued to the ccmplete destruc tion ofthe wieralt but Lucas did not abandon the prexotype but nursed it hack t9 Langley airfield. This not only saved the valuable air- frame but allowed study of instrument reac ings which helped pinpoint the cause of the failure and Lucas was awarded a wellearnet Hawker Typhoon IB £3827 of No. 28? Saundion fased st Warmwvell during the Deriod that Typhoons. were engaged. in Combating lowlevel raids onthe. south Const by Ew 190 and BF 103s. The und: ‘wing black and white stripes are particw Uinty evident to help identify the aireratt to fanthaireratt gunners. (WAF Museum) PAGE 4 HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT‘engine development. (Bar coms. The subsequent cannon-amed ver sion was ident fied the Mk, 1B; this des nation applied to the rest of the production run despite a variety of changes vs the ai frame, The Typhoon MkIL which featured completely redesigned thinner, elliptical Wing, was renamed as the Tempest at an carly stage FIRST DELIVERIES Ar the beginning of September 1941 two of Typhoons were delivered to the Air Fighang Development Unit (AFDU) al Duxford for brie tctical tia. Iu compara tive tests with RAF Fighter Commend’ lat est fighter in service the Spitfire Mk Vb the Typhoon proved to be 4 mph faster at all bove 15,000 ft sche below that the Uifferenial was even greater. The Spithve was more manoeuvrable but it was ered that the Typhoon's speed! would than compensate. for Left: An early Typhi ‘No. 56 Squadron st Duxford late 1947 or ‘erly 1942. The machine gun ports ithe unsolved technical problems, som the decision was made to put the Typhoon imo squadron service without delay. The Jubious honoar of being the frst Typhoon lanit went No. 56 Squadron who took their Hurricanes to Duxford and begun receiving Typhoons on 11 September: by the end of October 1941 they’ had 1 Typhoons on charg Soom the extent ‘comings became evident, A fatal accident in November, eventually blamed on carbon monoxide poisoning the pilot, caused the type to be grounded. for more than a month while tests were carried out and modifica tuons made to the exhausts and cockpit seal ing. The defeet was, however, never fully remedied sna subsequently Typhoon pilots wore oxygen masks fom stalt-up to shut down, ‘The burried developed Saby found tbe prone to frequent failure, mostly artributable to the sleeve valves. While eng nisets worked on this problem. all that could he done in the field was to change and afler short periods of the Typhoon’s shit engine was inspect e aay 25 hos running time YEETHING TROUBLES. Yet another drawback forthe ealy Typhoon pilots asthe poor view to the rear. A trans parent fairing soon replaced the solid one aft ff the cockpit and a rear view mirror in a bist ain roof was added, bu these were only interim measures andl work on an improved canopy was given priority Despite all these problems, two further units converted to Typhoons, ‘No, 266 Squadion starting in January 1942 and No. ‘et Martlosham Heath, November 1942, HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT. PAGE 5609 Squadron in the following April, w complete the Duxford Typhoon Wing. The Typhoon victory came on 9 August 1942 When two aireraft from No. Squidoo caught a Junkers Ju 88 some 50 miles off Cromer and three days later the Wing operated together for the fist time carne out three sweeps an support cl Operation Jubilee, the il-fated Dieppe rai. s ‘that the Typhoon seas not being sed to its best advantage red. It had been designed as « bomber sirover and bombers were no longer aday threat, The Sabre’s reduced. perfor wight and the airrafts Tuck ‘manoeuvrability above 15,000 ft rendered it unsuitable for normal fighter operations, however. its lectrifying. performance at w-level it could achieve neatly 400 mp at sea level, where most other Fighter's per formance declined) suggested other roles, NEW ROLE DEFINED. Accordingly, in September 1942, the Duxiord Wing and 1o oF the three new Typhoon squadrons (Nos, 257 and 486) n had equipped during the late Summ were dispersed along the south coast to deal with the Luttwafle fighter-bombers whieh had proved almost invulnerable in their tacks on coastal wns, This move Was a reat success and by miI963 over 60) German raiders had been destooyed, includ ‘ng more than 40 Fw 190s, The interceptions ended with a chase at 2er0 feet across the Chunnel, whieh left the Futtwatte plots litle option but 10 crouch behind their sour plate and push the throtl wo the Fire wall. The Typioan could overhaul even the suted FW 190 “like & train” (as one pilot put itn his combat tempt to tar or climb merely sho the process as the Typhoon could outta the 190 "on the deck'. With five d flap selected the Typhoon could pull cexiremely tight high speed turns. whereas the Fw 190, if its pilot attempted to match this performance, had nasty habit of stalling and flicking in the opposite direction to the turn, which was invariably fatal at yea level. IDENTIFICATION MARKINGS The misidentifieation problem mentioned carl wus overcome in 1943, largely due to Specially developed markings. Follow Above lett: The only Typhoon NFB R788. tvidenes of h Targer Type ‘A' to Type °C". (RAF Museum)blems at Dieppe, ye wide, eneisting the ing bands, one jow-level raiders, were stil mak 942. wie painted noses, ws beneath each hate errors, so Further marin mulgated, From 19 Novembe Typhoons were to have fom spinner tip to win nt wide ack h wife nose scher 0 idenifable, and from 5 inal nove colours were restored but the spaces between each black wing band al white. The by all Typhoons from t 244 and proved very elfective in ding instant identification il lefenders in paniculse The success agains! the Luftwaife's nu 2 raids was vital in keeping the strera in service while the manufacturers work flat out to solve the various other p However. on 29 July 1942 there occurred the fit of a series of distressing acciden which would prove an to the Typhoons progress tow 1ccepraility. A Hawker test pilot died when his Typhoon shed its tail during @ trial, Suspicion her severe challenge ell port jot and strengthening ise. First a strap was employed but this soon gave way to "Mod 286° which included the rivetting of some 20 fishplates cross the suspect join This became Standard or. all Typhncns fre the 820th production aircraft and there was a nassive modification programme, berw December 1942 and March 1043, fa ready in servies. The main effect of this Typhoons known to have been lost ‘une by the end of May 1983, fi ad alzwady received Mod 286 strengthen tually ele ied a the tue & ator flutter was ind this wa by modifying the elevator balance weights ind replacement ofthe tailplane by the larg er Tempest unit, At least 25 Typhoors were Tost dus to structural failure (there may have heen more, unrecorded on operations) and aly two of their plots survived Ar even greater threat tothe Typhoon had been the intractable Napier Sabre Serviceable engines were in such s y that between April 1942 and Jl large numbers of T; iframes wer delivered duetly into storage and their ‘Brown RAF Museum) ction line. Th ne lay with th }943 Napiors at hast had yi TU ault with the eng alves but by mi Typhoon 1A R7681 OV-2 of No. 197 patchy paint scheme following the removal Df tha white nose and addition of underTyphoon 18 EC176K of No.1Meanwhile, other ways of ubtising the Typhoon's lox-level, load-carrying ability and seadiness asa gun platform, were being developed. In September 1942 the fist two Typhoon fighter-bomber squadrons had bbeen formed, Nos, 181 and 182; ther aireaft were equipped to carry a 2501or 500+Th hom’ under cach wing, Theowghout 1943 they were joined by a steadily inereasing number of specialised bomber squadrons who set about attacking airfields, factories, railways harbours and shipping in or aroun exeupied it) and the Netherlands 1943, "Noballs' the V-1 sites became >riorty targets for these squadrons. As the Typhoon proved easy to fly at night A number of appropriate roles were investi gated. First tials were flown by. some France Towards the end Tenchi [After succets in the north of England No. + ‘nd thon Lympne, whore EKI76:3 ‘wos photographed in July 1943. (Public Archives of Canad) Left: Two USAAF pilots seen with visiting Typhoon JPASS SAL of No. 486 Squadron RNZAF ured on Typhoons dolivered (Worvoy mace) Squadrons in co-operation with ‘Turbinlte Havocs; these proved unsuccessful as the Typhoon's minimum cruising speed was uncomfortably close to the Havoe's maxi mum. One Typoon (R7881) was fted with AI Mk. VI radar, The transmitter and recets ler were fed in the space normaly occupied by the por wing fuel tank, the los in enc ity being compensated for by the permanent carriage of lon underwing tanks; Although tials were successful and opera Below: Squadron Leader C. L. C. Roberts ing Typhoon EK172: FL at Warm: ‘Well on 13 May 1943. Note the Toot wideTeador in May 1988, His porsonal Typhgon i wwsn62-9 crng Gti’ of Ne tional patrols were actually flown by the AFDU. the project wits abandoned. 10 PAGE 16 HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINTSquedron Lender Holmes of No. 197 neering this role and achieving impressive reals Another averue explored was that of a teopical variant. Ta November 1942 three Standard Typhcons (R889. RB891 and R8925) were modified with the addition of an ar-cleaning filter ina firing hencath the fuselage, between the wings, Accidents (0 two of these aircraft (REBS9 and RB925) before they left the UK, led to their repluce rent by DN323 and E3806, The three mod. ified aircraft were shipped out te North Africa, erected at Casablanca, and flow 10 Egypt for tials with No. 431 Squadron RAAF at Idku, Although the trials estab lished the feasibility of operating Typhoons in these elimates, build up of the 2nd TAP mean that_none could be spared for the Desert Air Force. One ‘urther Typhoon, 'MN200, was sent to the Middle East for tri als, ativing at Alexandria in October 1944 but the trials at Khartoum were abendoned alter two cooler failures MORE IMPROVEMENTS. Throughout 1942 und the first half of 1943 efforts to improve the Typhoon continued, The rear-vision was further improved by replacement of the le through the cockpit transparency with a whip serial om the rea fuselage, More than 300" left the production fine in this form iefore the ullimate eanopy was intnxluced. ‘This was the ‘bubble’ canopy, on sliding nals, and although it had frst Been stalled ‘on RS809 and tet flown as early as January 1943, it did not begin entering service until September of that year. The litst Typhoons with the new hood to reach the operational squadrons were infact earlier production ar craft which had been in store and then mod ifled by Glosters the aireraft was JR333 but new and old canopies ‘were produced together for a while until fall supplies of the blown hood were available ‘mast protruding Fs) new production The easy access, all-ound vision eanony was an immediate su ples became the jealously guarded property ‘of sjuadcon commanders. Typhoons. with fit-hood cess and early exa the old canopy (hunowa as" jobs") disappeared from the frontli alter D-Day but were sil fn use a training units atthe end of the War. At the end of 1943, no less than 18 squadions of Typhoons were operating WAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT PAGE 17Typical of tho Typhoons used by No. 198 Squodron ‘on long-range. sorties rusty as Fighter-hombers. With the major engine problems overcome and the inci dence of tual futures much reduced, the Typhooa was chosen as the premier eround aituck aircraft for the 2nd Tactical Air Force Which was then being farmed to prow support for the British and Canadian arm im the foheoming invasion of Europe Following the large scale Exercise Spartan i March 1943, the first mobile Typlioon ‘Wings had boen formed, and they began per fecting their techniques in further exercises and visits to Armament Practice Camps. ‘A handful of squadrons, hanwever, were still able to demonstrate the Typhoon's excellence as a low-level fighter. With the battle agains the cross-Channel raiders Won, the intioduction of 45-gallon lorg range tanks (increasing range fiom around 600 (0 racatly 1,100 miles) permitted sonies well Into aecupied France, Helsiur ang Holland, even as far as the German border, Lutwwalle airiekls were the Favourite hunting grounds land between Ocrober 1943 and February 11944 some 80) Germa rere claimed with Nos, 198 ane 609 Squadrons being par ticularly successful. The vietims included Dornier Do 217s, Junkers Ja Bs Messerschmitt Bf 110s as well as trainers and communications sirraft and even a cou ple of Fw 200 Condors were shot down as PAGE 12 HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINTAight: Refuelling Typhoon IB FMAL at Warmwall, Dorset in Mey” 1943. ‘Below ‘Hight: On standby at Bradwell Bay in dune 43983, thie No. 247" Squadron "Typhoon EK228:2-8, shows squedron and individ Lal Identity ieters reversed from their nor fal positions. This anomaly was often ‘teen fon either side of the fuselage), par- Hoularly “on Nos. 193,263 and’ 986, ‘well as the customary Bw 190s and BE 108s ROCKET POWER In October 1943 a new weapon was added t0 the Typhoon's armoury - the rocket peojce tile. This simple but effective device had sirealy seen sietion with Hurricane and Swordfish squadrons, but its. partnership with the Typhoon, whose stability and high speed made it the ideal aecurale delivery Platform, would become legendury Successful trials were carried “out by Hawkers, ASABE and AFDU on EK497 ‘carying eight rockets (or RPS as they were usually known) launched from Mk. {ste rails under the wings and the fist squadron, No. [8], was huriedly equipped. At first the rockets” were considered. interchangeable with bombs, depending on the target, But the grounderew workload required to make the change soon dictated the specialisation ‘of Typhoon squacrons as hom oF racket equipped. Both weapons were used exten: sively in the campaign against Noball sit tueutioned earlier, ata then is May 144 tn the campaign w cripple the German eastal radar system before the Allied invasion of ‘occupied France. By tien the maximum ‘bomb load had been increased 10 «0 1,000- Ipbombs, these being dropped on operations forthe rst ume in April 1944 by 143 Wing RCAF Autempts were made to increase the RP fond hy linking iwo rockets together ~ they remained linked when fired. Although suc ‘esstul, trials on Typhoon MN¥6I- at the ARAEE and FK290 at the AFD, showed Ua this load might prove too mueb of a an- dling probiem on operations so this ability was never fully utilised operationally although 12 RPs linked pairs on the inne two rails ofeach win The vast majority of RP used carried 60-15 HE/SAP (high explosive/semu armour piere- ing) neadls, ut some 25-1h armour pietein were used agains! shipping. hn the last tear producing head ‘and a 640-15 high expl ssverfragmenation head for use against pe name! and thin-skinned vehicles also savy (On 4 June 1944, in common with all the Allied aircraft invelved in operations in the invasion azea, Typhoons were once again mainte in block ad white sti no doubt, ossing to the efficiency of the Typhoon's earlier stripes). Five’ 18-inch bands, three white and two bisek, encircled he wings and rear fuselage. Despite orders cs (chosenAkernate | PAGE 18 HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT. (ER TYPHOON IA, Starboard side view. Showing clear view HAWKER T , Se = 3 rock at Tempest a HAWKER TYPHOON unt ana four ARMAMENT \ one ‘Starboard side view: 250 toe \ Drawings by \ David Howley By permission and based on originals by ALL. Bentley Typhoon __ le ant vw \ Typhoon Fru \ HAWKER TYPHOON 15 | Under side plan view meta wang waycen TYPHOON 1c vient panuen rypwoon sat | | sone = — (yenge tentsER TYPHOON fenatevow [sre [| Prototype HAWKER TYPHOON 18 PA Port side view —\ HAWKER TYPHOON If. Upper surface plan view HAWKER TORNADO __Port side view" NGL THON WeeNT Pabe 4Left and below left: By April 1944, when from ‘Theme Islandation first ~ pilotess airereft destryed by nir-launched toe NORMANDY BATTLES In the following weeks the ‘Typhoon itl role inthe battle for hing a well-earned rept squadrons pl Normandy. estal tation for fast and accurate close suppont with rockets. From D4?’ the Typhoons began operating from strips hur riedly built ow Nomundy farland, set to their bases in Sussex and Hampshire h night. A week later the arrival of full ind support allowed Typhooas to operate ull time froen the French stips, although their proximity o the German lines, and the consequent shelling, led to a withdrawal for a few days, The ‘invasion stripes’ no. promised camouflage on the strips and were Soon removed from upper surfaces, and pr iressively down the fi by September many Typh pes under the rear fuselage o In mid-July the Typhoo p operating s" (offically known as VCP ontrol Post) ~ standing patrols of Mk. 3 racket ris 208split the Allied forces in Normandy, were halied and then savaged by incessant air atack. By dusk nearly 300 seties had been Flown and claims against tanks alone totalled The Typhoons fad turned the tide in a ha Wich itself was the turning point inthe bat tle for Normandy. The German retreat from 11 and the Typhoo! squadrons No. 440" Squadron IAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT ded their considerable firepower t0 the armage wrought in the False pocket Towwards the end of the Normandy cam- paign a new variant entered operational ser Vice, the Typhoon FRAB, Atthe beginning of 1044 the RAF hd heen faced with the problem of replacements for the Mustang Is ind Tls which had very adequately filled the role of low-level fighler-recomnaissance. trial installation of cameras was made on JR207 and assessed by No. 404) Squadron RCAF and plans were mad to vonvert 200 Stored airframes. The production prototype was MN315 which was equipped with one THbinch and two S-inch cameras in the port wing, necessitating the removal of the inner cannon, By July, with a Typhoon shortage il) ibration which affected the cameras, the bout the Typhoon! it suffered from programme had been curaited but sufficient had been produced. ‘Ths unitZAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT PAGE 21best ‘of times, and on crowded poorly paved tripe a guiding “eri” on tho wing ‘he pore and a mixture of types under the starboard wing. “Typhoons ment its Mustangs unt November 1944 when they were passed on to No. 4 Squadron, which used ther until February 1945, Three of the camera equipped Tyohoons. saw operational use with 146 Wing ight up to the end of the war, providing immediate: photographic assess ment of the results of the Wing's pin-point ONWARD TO GERMANY September 10. saw the first Typhoon with ong-range tanks and a reduced fad of ris weigh 08s, the Mk, Is oly 240 sauadrons hase in Holl remaining there four ps. In December 1944 the rocket Tbs conferinganexta 15 mph at maximum throughout the winter of IM4-48. With the sGuacrons began fitting their Typhoons with speed (the Mk. I rails had reduced the battletront relatively static, interdiction jh. jighe-weigh: Mk.II aluminium RP rails. ‘Typhoon’s wop speed by some 38 mph). In hecame the onder ofthe day, and to increase Ther the scope for this some squadrons operated Ik 1 fact, it was discovered in vials in 1945, chat RP raily were not cequired at all on aircraft with the Typhoon’s speed, but the “zero Tength’ launchers developed were too late 10 see operational use during the a ‘The increase enya eer atin after th invasion led to an inevitable increase in casualties. An attempt t equip an ‘Operational Training Unit with Typboons in 14-1943 had to be abandoned owing to lack ff serviceable aireraft but in April 1944 with the builtup of Typhoon squadrons for D Day well in hand, No, 3 Tactical Exercise Unit began receiving large numbers of ‘Typhoons and ranning conversion courses Was a significant benefit as the Full flap is nicoly lustrata’ on thie No. 183 Squadron Typhoon, RESSE:MF-E londi f captured Luftwaffe airfield in the Sr Een, Rue ah son od (ee are atte Tense ([ Sse mers Typhoon IB SWEIT:MRX of No. 245 Squsdron ‘Abgust 1243, Bue and white check band. Dive spin Typhoon 1B JR226F2X cf No. 440 Dltes roe ond white, Tempest tape, ( Typhoon 1B W399 HH-< ‘Babs Vill of No. 198 Seundron, 8.164 Schlep, July 1848 ockplate. Tempest taiplane. RP, Wk. 3for pilots used to the more docile Hurnane ‘or more refined Spitfire, Towards the end ot 104 the lack of pilots was reaching erisis point: No. 3 TEU, at Aston Down, was renamed No. $5 OTU and wo futher OTUS, Nox. S6 and $9 were formed at Milfield ard Acklington respectively. With the OTUs training inexpenenced fighter pilots, sion courses were now run by Nos. 83 ard 84 Group Support Unis, im addition to thetr accustomed Usk of supplying. aireaft 10 their parent 2nd) TAF Group nits. Tactics and leadership were taught 10 experienced Typhoon pilots at the Fighter Leaders School which operated ite own squadron of Typhoons. With a steady supply of pilots ensured, there remained problems in keeping eno Typhoons available for che Tront-hne units. The Typhoon’s suocessor the Tempest, as ow in service with seven squdvans iw the Right ond below: A pair of welbused 143 Wing, RCAF. Typhoons photographed near the and of the war. RB262°0V-A of Neo. 439 Squadron stil bears the lettor °X" on ite nove from its provious identity es BV SW390:F3-€ has faded camout 2nd TAF, hut production was barely keeping up with losses, so none of the Typhoon units could be re-cquipped. Glosters had now Inegun production of their own Mewor but managed to keep a flow of new Typhoons running. along with a steady trickle of rebuilt aircraft wilising te artrames which had been instore since 1942-43. The Typhoon bomber squadrons had the prioity for new production aircraft as these were Just airborne from Helmond on 26 March 1945, SWA04:ELF trom the last production batch wears the 2nd TAF markings which wore standard for the last four months of from May 1941, fited with four bladed pro pelles, which proved much more effective in getting ‘Typhoons airhome when loaded with 2,000-Ibs of bombs, From late 1944 fonwards the roeket squaurons operated a mixture of new” and ‘old’ Typhoons with three-bladed snd some with four-blad- cd. propellers, original or Tempeststyle tailplane. The New Year, 1945, brought a change in ‘markings for 2nd TAF squadrons, In an lToet to persuade their USAAF allies that not all camouflaged airratt were Luftwaffe, Type "CI" roundels vie, with yellow outer igs) were introduced above snd below the wings, matching those already in use on the fuselage. In onder to remove the possibilty ofthe ear fuselage band being mistaken for the Lultwalfe's Defence of ths Reich bands these and the remaining “invasion stripes were painted out, This drab scheme was wor tor the remainder of hostilities, March 194% saw the crossing of the Rheine, with Typhoons heavily involved in the anti-flak role. New weapons were now HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINTsom, sohich HAWKER TYPHOON KITS, DECALS AND ACCESSORIES ‘the war bat only Injection moulded and vacutorm kits THE TYPHOON’S DEMISE Scale Manufacturer 192d Ax AxOI027 ss ectic weeks in which the | 13z0) Nove AxO(027 ttn mo o ssuaons played 2 Tull par, the | znd Aviation Use Useroes Lime tn inion most sstion of hostilities was snaounced on 4 | 148% Monogram Mesz2? nection moulded ‘May 1945. Kor eleven months the Typhoon ‘2nd Revell cma (epeien mpeia had been the very epitome of close support Conversion parts, white metal and brass etch scessories Juring ts operations with the British Second | sang" aSeeteb ES en a edad propsler and Canacian First Armies in nomthvest | Jang Aur ‘eva09 Typhoon whens. aca Europe. Swit to respond, accurate and band- | Yyand it areie ‘Typhoon instant panel title: & Ral born ike aeoutee et tbe rd Gtoch Master Resins. CMIATGT? ——_Eorvworeon room moulded parts Weriach’s mbie forces, but within five | 1Zznd — SaesdronSigral Soseiio 2 Venutermennapien | ‘months of VE-Day the Typhoon had been | Za, Falcon FNcva1 Vteutorm eanosies for "yphoon withdrawn rom frontline service, is place sre Ses Tuy. taken by the Havker Tempest During those | 1484 SqLodronSigna sasesta Typhoon veulrmad canopies summer months of 1945, the Typhoon | 148 SauadronSignl 8058594 Typhoon sar oe door squadrons remaining in Germany took the | 148% True Daas Tages asin wheat Opportunity to decorate thie aierat in pre- | MMH Tue ot Her Pe ae cancer viously “unacceptable hues. Brightly be 2 coloured spinners, undercartiage doors and | Decale com + fsa fselage hams hecame normal, hat by | 2am Rave Osea ADaates Sette Sy yer the end of September they had all gone, yee Superscale s5t8543 ‘cote decals for Typhoan (B flown back to the UK for setappingor shor | ash Taiyo Bacal THe100 2 ete decal for Typroon (8 teem storage Those which escaped the axe had only 9 _—___ — J sions lon the enstns Une wp of Ne, 188 Squad Typhoons a » Garman bse afr th ond of osties, Tha tin the row is SWA93:DP-S, named "Betty, which had part of the squadron ing Typhoons were sold off wo the scrap EEAGS Sn white ground an the fr, Nate tat lonprenge tanks have bown ited yards in 1947; a few lingered on as ground Instructional airframes but all of these had fako been disposed of by the end ot 195. Fortunately one example, MN235, had vone tw the USA for tks in 14 and ad evens tually come under the protection of the Smithsonian Institute. ‘Thanks tthe Institute's. generosity, and desire for an ‘exchange Hurricane. this sole survivor of the 3,317 built now resides inthe RAF Museum fa Hendon. In 1994 it was fittingly decorated ‘with “invasion stripes to commemarate the exploits of its contemporaries some $0 years eather ‘Sporting 2 two-tone 5Typhoon armament HAWKER TYPHOON,is] TYPHOON IN DETAIL WARPAINT PAGE 2?PRODUCTION DETAILS SERIAL NUMBER ALLOCATION AND CONTRACTS Serials nrsv67590 Roer2 7721 Rove 7798 R732 7820, Roste-923 evse-2200| 220-8221 ere 8281 sao 9662 eoeo 3722 Revar-avat RGEC pasza.a807 pases 2081 pn2e279 BN2g3 381 N56 208 NADE 53 Nasr 512 NS29 362 NETS 623, ease 934 ane 995 Een? tet RIOT 186 kao 252 eo21 308 eeoeats Ekead06 KES 5A 6-408 Seas.aa7 “eat0 515, Iesrests ents 089 pra 756 ‘cr 941 961-978, anes 223 ‘zs? 266 ‘zeo 236 ‘Rae0-382 “inaze-aes “raoa.s36 nss1-995 MINT 156 innee 22 NINE 2a MN2e2-325 Nae 381 NINae-42¢ N63 56 INsGe 68 ness 467 fnes0.720 ana6-776 ana 23 Ne 298 Ne? 886 nes sae pra 188 mprre-203 Pte san Posea.57? Posto 623 9192-295 Mark Pret a ta 8 We 8 8 ‘Quantity Contract No. 20 200 00 300 ars12438 s2asia9 rene efits ehieas ction ase pene sonora Contractor Gomer Gioster Gioster Gioster PAGE 20 HAWKER TYPHOON WARPAINT Serials Mark Quantity Contract No. azas- 208 300.30 ae23 489 Raee S12 Seaesye 11498 637 Svs 696 Svo20 6 Seisat 78 sere.772 ee Total Production af Hawker Typhoon 3,317 SQUADRON USAGE with cxomos ROYAL AIR FORCE RAF Fighter Command/ Air Detonce of Great Britain ‘Szunctons mare war tar 1 th Tact! i Foca within Pr ‘Gommand ort tnd TA as ees rsarad in Neverber Tek No.1 Sqdn July 1842 to Maren 1944 (JXH JR126), No. 3 San Mibvuony 1913 to Merch 1944 \Q0-£ EGOS), No. 86 Sadn Soptumber 1947 to Moy 7944 (US EKI21) Now 127 Sqdn + Tnnvary 1843 to August 1844 (SF JRG0s) No.178 Sqdn * pr 1943 to July 1942 XP: ER#G) No. 478 Sqn pr HER Yo Lung 1943 (hit TEK139) No. 181 Sqda + Soptoribor 1842 to Juno 1813, ELX'R9G?7) No. 182 Sqan » September 134210 June 1943 [xt fas) Now 183 Sqdn + November 1942 tg Api! 194s (HET THT) No, 186 Sqan Novornber 1943 to January T9e4 (APL JAR) No. 103 Sqdn + Jomusry 1945 to February 1944 'D-C N72) No. 198 Sqdn + November 1942 to October 1943 WE A DNS) No. 197 Sqdm + Nevornber 7842 to Agri 1968 (OV X E141) No. 198 Sqain «December 1942 19 Maren 1984 (TP Y OPO) No. 248 Sad + Docembsr 1647 to une 1943 (MS? ‘NsOn Mo, 247 Sqan + Janvry 1943 to July £943 ZV B DNASE) No. 257 Sqdn + 1u'y 1912 to Aor T94« (FMD FBS37) No. 263 ins Dormer 194310 August 1948 HEV JRSS1! No. 266 Sq Ganury 1942 t0 Apr 1984 [0.0 7622, 7H. JPAOH Ne. a6 Sad uly 1942 10 pri T98e (SAV E39) Mo, 808 Sqdn. Ape U2 to Mach O44 (PR H RED2A) ‘and Tactical Alr Force Nov 4'Sqdn October 1042 to February 195 (S F477) No. 137 Sqdn August 1944 To August 1906 |SP-O RB282) Ne. 164 Sadn Februsry 1984 to June 1945 (Fo-V MW962) Ne. 168 Sqdn September Taka to Fabruary 1945 (OC L MINZTI No. 174 Sadn uly 1963 to September 1945 (KP ABO) No. 178 Sadly 1313 to Septombar 1545 (HH W523) Mo. 181 Sqdm Ju%> 14S to Septambor 1945 (ELA MN206) No. 182" Bada\ dune 1943 12 September 1245 XM MP200) No. 183 Sad Sor 1948 to June 1800 HP M523) No. 184 Sqdn Maren 1841 to September 1945 (ht peae) Ria. 493 Sad Feary T9440 Aug 1345 DPA 0809) No. 195 Sdn Cetabor 1343 Yo January Tet (JE JH No. 197 Sqdn Apri T94e to August 1846 [OV'S PDSZ0) No. 108 ‘Bean March Te4e to September 246 1P-V MINSS1) No. 248 5 Shine 94 19 August 1945 MZ £3930) No. 247 Sqn uly 1963 ferovember 949 (ZV PER2!1) Ne. 257 Sqm Ap Teue OMI | ‘945 FAW AE319) No. 263 Sqn August TEU! to August 7946 I 1 pg60) No. 266 Sad Apr 1948 to Jaly 1945 (2-8 SWE) No, 208 ‘Sqdn uly 1944 to Novara: 1944 (905) No. 438 5 Jury 1964 te taut 1848 (E41 MPTRD| No. a9 Sad lnmry to August Yeas 51-6 POB0H! Ne, 440 Sqn Fabrusry 1944 (3 1006 (l6Vi MNT29) Ne. 609 Sqdn Maron 7944 10 ber 1045 PRZSWA0D) ‘The laat surviving Typhoon. Loaned to the Americans during the ‘war NINZ3S was exchanged for « Hurricane by the Smithsonian Institute and’ now resides In the RAF Museum, Hendon. It has ince had its black and white invasion stripes added. (APN)9 IA RTGIB:US-A of No. 56