Hawker Tempest II MW404 arrived at Hooks Memorial Airport near Houston, Texas, for new owner Chris Miller in October, following its export from the UK, and will be restored to airworthy condition over the next five years or so, reports Richard Mallory Allnutt. The rare fighter is one of only nine known complete survivors of the variant. Millers first task will be to take stock of what he has, what's missing and what needs replacing. According to the owner, finding rebuildable hydraulic systems may be his biggest headache, but a fair amount of sheet metal work will also need to done, including construction of new wing leading edges and engine cowlings. Hopefully the airframe structure is fundamentally sound, and will not require too much repair. Chris has already obtained a rebuilt Curtiss-Wright R-3350 radial engine and propeller from a Douglas Skyraider, which will power the Tempest in place of the original Bristol Centaurus engine and Rotol propeller, the American products being cheaper and easier to maintain in the USA.
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