Warbird Information Exchange

Kermit Weeks has posted a new video with Richard Grace going over the wings for his Tempest V project. From the video it looks like Richard is going to be completing the project for Kermit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-38hE3Yd_M&t=609s

Great video. I just loving seeing all the goodies Kermit has stashed in his Golden Hill. There is something cool everywhere you look.

I agree, I got the impression Richard will be doing some work on Kermit's aircraft as well. Thats great news.

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This project would be the most likely Napier Sabre powered machine, to be the easiest to return to flight.
I'm looking forward to the remaining parts of this YouTube series. Kermit has two engines to choose from and I really hope we get to hear one operate.
Knowing that there are three very viable projects, hoping to be powered by Napier Sabre engines is beyond exciting.
Richard Grace is such a great choice to see this through. Somewhere out there are pictures of him climbing on it, as a little kid, when his dad Nick owned it.

According to the text at the end "They're talking...". At this point in time, Richard Grace is most likely at the top of the not very long list of Tempest restoration specialists.

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So would that mean we would see these projects move BACK again to the UK to be restored??

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Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Richard does have a skilled and qualified team, with a proven track record of returning a Tempest to flight.
I can't imagine a better solution.
Will be interesting to see what their discussion leads to.

Would presume so.

Our record with UK restorations of rare engines has been mixed.

Bristol Pegasus for our Swordfish? Total incompetence by Deltair, UK. Worthless. Example: they re-installed rusty ancient valve-springs. Took 4 years and cost a fortune. We sold the aeroplane rather than do it again.

Bristol Mercury for our Lysander? Excellent. Handled by the people at Duxford. I flew it on a 2000 mile trip to OSH in 2022 and during the following Annual the cylinder pressures were all high-70s.

R-R Kestrel for our Fury? The jury is still out -- it hasn't been run at high power yet (the overhauler refused to do it). It too cost a fortune (3x the original rough-guess). But I'm hoping for competence, since I'll fly it next year.

Dave

I watched this too and don't forget this is meant to be part 1 of 3 videos.
Richard Grace has Tempest AND sleeve valve experience. He certainly seemed eager to try and take on the Sabre.
Flying or not, I'd be happy just to see and hear it run.

I agree that Richard would be one of, if not the best, to bring this project to completion.
We all want to hear a Sabre run. With three projects in pursuit of a flying Sabre, lets hope they collaborate and at least share information.
It will be interesting to see, what the remaining episodes of this series, has to add.

Reading DH82EH's post, is it accurate that no Sabres currently run?

What is the core and parts situation like?

Flying a unique type and very rare engine sounds like a huge challenge.

Isn't a Sabre-powered Typhoon under restoration in the UK?

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

There are only 2 complete Sabre engines in private hands, Kermit and the Typhoon project in Canada. There has not been a running Sabre since the 50s As far as spares, I think you will find a crate of Hens teeth before finding a large amount of Sabre spares.

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Matt Gunsch, A&P, IA, Warbird maint and restorations
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I believe that Kermit has two intact Sabres and the Canadian project is working to build a Sabre with parts from a cutaway example. The rebuild of RB396 in the UK also has a complete Sabre from a technical school display, but missing a starter assembly if I remember.

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"They done it, they done it, damned if they ain't flew." December 17, 1903

Another interesting piece of the Napier Sabre puzzle is that the Bristol Taurus engine used the same size sleeve.
Bristol, had spent huge amount of time and $$ developing effective sleeves.
Napier was having a lot of difficulty. The air ministry forced Bristol, to assist Napier because there was a war to win.
There are not a lot of Taurus engines around either & I'm not aware of any that run.
Ian, at Typhoon Legacy acquired two Taurus engines. They will at least, provide more valuable engineering data.
It's a big mountain to climb. Just takes time, will, money, skills......
Check out Typhoon Legacy website and Youtube channel.

Andy

Another mildly interesting fact is that virtually all, if not absolutely all, Bristol sleeve-valve engines had the same bore, they just increased the number of cylinders.

Bristol had a head start and spent years perfecting the manufacturing process and materials for sleeve-valves. Napier tried all manner of materials but it seems never tried Bristol's manufacturing process, which was centrifugal casting.
The sleeves were reputedly made only 4 or 5 miles from where I'm sitting, although the factory's long gone.

It does surprise me that there are so few Sabres around. With only 4-5000 airframes using them obviously the number produced is relatively low but to end up with very low single figures surviving...