The pilot decided to carry out a circuit in order to check the performance of the engine. Because of the presence of a gusting 20 knot westerly wind, a higher than normal approach speed was flown. The pilot stated that he closed the throttle at about 50 feet agl and flared the aircraft. The subsequent landing was heavy, the aircraft bounced, the pilot moved the control column forward and the aircraft bounced a second time. On the third touch down the pilot reported that the tail struck the runway causing substantial damage to the tail area of the aircraft.