<p>Built 1944 and allocated to Napiers for engine development. In store from September 1946. Converted into a TT5 target tug in 1950. Operated with 233OCU at Pembrey from October 1952 till July 1955 when the type was withdrawn from use. Many of the remaining aircraft went to the ranges at Shoeburyness for weapons effects research.
In 1958 a Tempest was built for static display from parts found on the Shoeburyness ranges. The majority came from NV778, although once complete it was painted as ‘SN219’, which some parts also came from. It went on gate guard duty at Middleton St George until the base closed, when it moved to RAF Leeming, again on the gate. In 1965 it became part of the RAF Museum and went in to store at Henlow. Refurbished in 1968, it then appeared at various events, now marked as ‘NV778’. It was on display at Hendon when the museum opened in 1972, and remained there until removed for thorough restoration in 1991. It was returned to TT5 condition and in 2003 it went back on display, now suspended in the newly opened Milestone of Flight Hall at the RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK.
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22-3-2015
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/65001151@N03">Alan Wilson</a> from Stilton, Peterborough, Cambs, UK
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ajw1970/16604734454/">Hawker Tempest TT.5 ‘NV778’</a>