Hawker Tempest MkV armament

**Fish_1960** · 16th January 2021, 12:12

I was wondering if there was anyone who could confirm the amount of ammunition carried by Hawker Tempests Mk V's, with the Hispano Mk V cannon, during its wartime service.

Thanks in advance.

**Jagan** · 16th January 2021, 22:30

200 Rounds per gun - Total 800 rounds
as per 4+ publication's Hawker Tempest (Mark Ovcacik). Also mentioned in Warpaint Books Hawker Tempest (Richard Caruana)

**Fish_1960** · 17th January 2021, 16:14

Thanks Jagan :)

**Fish_1960** · 22nd January 2021, 15:24

Are there any wartime documents to support the 200 rounds per gun? especially on the Series 2 Tempests.

**Jagan** · 22nd January 2021, 19:34

Originally Posted by Fish_1960

Are there any wartime documents to support the 200 rounds per gun? especially on the Series 2 Tempests.

Glad you asked

I looked up AP2458B the manual for Hawker Tempest II Aircraft/ Centauras IV Engine states right on Page 4:

ARMAMENT
Guns:
Tpe - 20 mm Hispano MkV
No. Four (Two in each wing)
No of rounds per gun
Inboard guns, each ..... 162 rounds
Outboard guns, each ... 156 rounds
Total number of rounds .. 636 rounds

If you hadnt asked, we wouldnt have known that the publications were all wrong!!

(I am assuming Tempest II and Tempest V would have had the same specs for armt - except for the engine)
Cant find a war time doc for Tempest V

**Don Clark** · 22nd January 2021, 21:21

Parallel: Hawker Typhoon
Prototype, 4 x Hispano 20 mm, reportedly 4x140 round belts .
No further info or reliable source re prodn a/craft to hand.

Tempest: thinner wing.
2x162 round belts inboard,
2x156 round outboard.
Space/structure +/or strength the prime factors?
Plus, a not insignifant weight saving vs supposed 4x200 round belts

Tempest II v Tempest V: Hispano long barrel v short barrel?

Not my field, bar far distant comparison for interest
Beaufighter X, 4 cannon (Nav/Ws struggles to swap hot 60+lb drums by hand mid flight, midst cordite fumes, vs later belt tanks).

**jossleclercq** · 23rd January 2021, 10:17

Originally Posted by Don Clark

Tempest II v Tempest V: Hispano long barrel v short barrel?

Hello

No, Tempest V series 1 had the long barrel cannons, and the Tempest V series 2 had the short barrel Hispanos.

Tempest expert Chris Thomas would answer the ammo question. I've checked in a few publications, but I'm more interested by Typhoons than Tempests, so have less documentation about the latter.

Joss