Hawker Typhoon RB396 Restoration

While in the UK on our recent tour Warbirds Online was able to catch up with one of the most exciting Warbird restoration projects to emerge over the past decade, Hawker Typhoon RB396.

The Hawker Typhoon was a legend of WWll, on the drawing board in 1938 and conceived as a fighter to replace the new Hawker Hurricane. It was discovered to be less successful in that interceptor role and instead after some structural and engine issues had been dealt with went on to become one of the first and the best ground attack aircraft of the second world war equipping 23 squadrons of the RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force. In all 3,317 Typhoons were built.

The Typhoon was a large brute of an aircraft in much the same class as the American Republic P47 Thunderbolt, with a huge sleeve valve Napier Sabre H24 cylinder 36 ltr 2,300hp engine driving an equally large and impressive 14ft propeller. However despite its success as an aircraft only one complete machine survived the mass cull of the post war period after being sent to the US for evaluation (MN235). A letter in Air Pictorial detailed a ‘Hawker Aircraft’ serialled MN235 at O’Hare International Airport, mislabeled as a ‘Hawker Hurricane’. It was reserved for the National Air Museum but following a request from the UK MN235 eventually returned to the UK for display at the RAF Museum Hendon (currently on display at RAF Coningsby BoB Memorial Flight Hangar).

Over the years many have sought to identify and preserve whatever relics remained of the Typhoon including structural components and Napier Sabre engines as well as other fittings and equipment. It was realized by several enthusiasts that with sufficient effort and technical assistance enough remained of the Typhoon to allow for a complete aircraft to be restored and possibly to flying condition.

In 1999 one of these enthusiasts, Dave Robinson, relocated to Lichfield, Staffordshire UK which had been an important RAF Maintenance Unit (51MU) which handled the preparation and delivery of Typhoons to the 18 frontline Typhoon Squadrons during WWII and started a project to raise the profile of the forgotten Typhoon crews. Dave sought out many collectors, Museums and aircraft archeologists to bring together as much material as he could possibly acquire to aid in the restoration task. The project grew and there are some memorable acquisitions such as the almost intact fuselage of Typhoon 1b RB396 from the Netherlands where it had crash landed during the war, a complete unused and inhibited Napier Sabre Sleeve Valve engine along with many spares and a complete firewall/forward cockpit assembly. Equally important have been the hundreds of smaller items sourced from a myriad of locations and the discovery of many of the original technical drawings, manuals and servicing documentation which will allow for an accurate and documented rebuild to be carried out.

Work has now commenced on the rebuild with the rudder being rebuilt by Airframe Assemblies on the Isle of Wight who will also be constructing the wings in the future after all the technical information has been located and organized. Most of the fuselage components are on hand now as a source of reference for the rebuild as well as substantial empennage structures. Work will also be committed to the overhaul of the Napier Sabre Engine as well the continued negotiations for a second and possibly even a third Powerplant. Multiple engines are certainly desirable given the rarity of the very powerful engine however, the operation of the aircraft with a single engine is certainly viable.

Since Dave and Sam Worthington-Leese joined the project has morphed from a hobby to a fully accredited charity, with Sam developing the online presence and running the supporters club which has allowed funding to be obtained to move the project forward. However the targeted figure for the rebuild is 6 Million pounds, therefore a lot of effort is being put in to raise the balance to complete the project in time for the intended first flight in 2024, the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and other battles the Typhoon was instrumental in winning. None of this project is impossible and so much has been achieved by the team in a relatively small time and the timescale seems to be realistic.

There is a steady stream of Hawker Hurricanes, Supermarine Spitfires and North American Mustangs joining the ranks of airworthy Warbirds but seldom does an aircraft with the pedigree, presence and rarity of the Typhoon join the flying ranks of WWll aircraft. This will be a once in a lifetime first flight and something every Warbird enthusiast will want to see.

This project is very worthwhile of support by the global Warbird enthusiast community and we encourage all our readers to contribute whatever they can to a true grass roots restoration. Donations to the Hawker Typhoon Preservation Group can be made on their website. The Group also welcomes contact about any Typhoon parts, documents or information that may be available.

Warbirds Online will continue to stay in contact with this project and report on progress on this fantastic rebuild as it nears its first flight.

Australian Connections to the Hawker Typhoon

Many RAAF pilots flew the Typhoon on deployment to the RAF and scored victories against German aircraft, flying bombs and vehicles including tanks. Moreover there were 3 Typhoons attached towards the end of May1943, for operational flight trials in the Middle East with 451 Sqn RAAF of 219 Group RAF.

The aircraft was well regarded by Australian pilots for its speed, toughness and firepower as well as being an excellent armament platform with 20mm Cannon, bombs and Rockets – it certainly was a potent ground attack aircraft. The speed of the Typhoon or “Tiffie” as the aircraft was known was also instrumental in its ability to successfully attack the V-1 flying bomb Fieseler Fi 103 with a number shot down by Typhoons, including several Australian pilots.

Hawker Typhoon 1B MN235

Hawker Typhoon 1B MN235 is the only surviving complete example of the type. In 2004 Warbirds Online took these images of Hawker Typhoon MN235 at RAF Museum Hendon UK.  In later years this aircraft was placed on loan to Canada and is now at RAF Coningsby on display in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

© John Parker 2018