The Hawker Sea Fury is a British fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Hawker Aircraft. It was the last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy, and one of the fastest production single reciprocating engine aircraft ever built. Developed during the Second World War, the Sea Fury entered service two years after the war ended. It proved to be a popular aircraft with a number of overseas militaries and was used during the Korean War in the early 1950s, and by the Cuban air force during the 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion.
The Sea Fury's development was formally initiated in 1943 in response to a wartime requirement of the Royal Air Force (RAF), with the aircraft initially named Fury. As the Second World War drew to a close, the RAF cancelled their order for the aircraft; however, the Royal Navy saw the type as a suitable carrier aircraft to replace a range of increasingly obsolete or poorly suited aircraft being operated by the Fleet Air Arm. Development of the Sea Fury proceeded, and the type began entering operational service in 1947.
The Sea Fury has many design similarities to Hawker's preceding Tempest fighter, having originated from a requirement for a "Light Tempest Fighter"; both the Sea Fury's wings and fuselage originate from the Tempest but were significantly modified. Production Sea Furies were fitted with the powerful Bristol Centaurus engine and armed with four wing-mounted Hispano V cannons. While originally developed as a pure aerial fighter aircraft, the definitive Sea Fury FB.11 was a fighter-bomber, the design having been found suitable for this mission as well.
The Sea Fury attracted international orders as both a carrier and land-based aircraft. It was operated by countries including Australia, Burma, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, West Germany, Iraq, and Pakistan. The type acquitted itself well in the Korean War, fighting effectively even against the MiG-15 jet fighter. Although the Sea Fury was retired by the majority of its military operators in the late 1950s in favour of jet-propelled aircraft, a considerable number of aircraft saw subsequent use in the civil sector, and several remain airworthy in the 21st century as heritage and racing aircraft. Wikipedia
last update: 2021-09-27 19:22:38Known Squadron Assignments: ;Winter
Loaned to Canada for trials with the Winter Experimental Establishment at RCAF Station Namao, Alberta. Carried RN markings. Destroyed in fatal accident on 17 January 1948. Taken on strength for book keeping purposes.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 871 Squadron when lost.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron, coded "BC*A". Still with this unit when lost.Known Squadron Assignments:
Turned over on night landing, date unknown, while with 880 Squadron, coded "BC*A". Also served with 803 and 870 Squadrons, and VF 871, dates unknown.Known Squadron Assignments:
Delivered to RN in December 1947. With 803 Squadron as "BC*L" shortly after arrival in Canada. Took the barrier onboard HMCS Magnificent on 16 August 1948, marked "BC*C". With No. 883 Squadron in November 1948. With 870 Squadron in 1951. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside.Known Squadron Assignments:
Known Squadron Assignments:
Initially served with 803 Squadron. Coded "BC*F" by March 1950, still in early RCN paint scheme. In full RCN markings by November 1950, when it visited Gibralter. Still with 803 Squadron, coded "BC*K". Destroyed by post crash fire on board HMCS Magnificent on 18 May 1955, reportedly only Sea Fury fire on any RCN ship. Coded "294" (or 254?) at the time.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron, coded "BC*G". Went missing during ferry flight on 30 June 1950. Aircraft was returning to Shearwater from overhaul at Avro Canada in Toronto. Left Quebec City, performed brief aerobatic display over airport, and headed east into worsening weather. Wreckage not found until 1968, near Millinocket, Maine. Had struck trees on a ridge while in a descent. Accident report theorizes pilot Lt. M.C. Hare was attempting a forced landing in a nearby creek, due to low fuel or engine problems, and was probably too low to bail out, because of the low ceilings and high terrain. Wreckage still there in 1979, when a memorial plaque was placed on the site.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron, coded "BC*H".Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron, coded "BC*J". Later with 871 and 870 Squadrons.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron by September 1948, coded "BC*K", with name of pilot fitter, and rigger marked belwo the windscreen, roundels with small blue maple leaf on red background, and an RCN ensign on the rudder. Visited RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario in these markings on 11 September 1948.Known Squadron Assignments:
On board HMCS Magnificent, with 803 Squadron, coded "BC*L", in March 1949 when the ship passed through the Panama Canal. Flown from Malton, Ontario to Shearwater, NS in 1:45 on 15 December 1949, by LCDR R. A. Creeery, setting new record. One other aircraft in this flight, serial not known. Was with 870 Squadron at the time, coded "BC*F", and carried coloured word "NAVY" on fuselage, probably for air show displays. At HMCS Shearwater June 1952, with no squadron codes. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Sold to Brian Baird of Toronto, Ontario for $500, c. November 1962, registered as CF-OYF. Moved to Louisiana c. 1963, reportedly to protect the aircraft from repossesion by banks. To J. W. Fornof of Houma, LA, 1966-1969, registered as N54M. Overturned during landing, Houma, LA, 1967. To Brian Baird, Phoenix, AZ, 1969, wreckage stored at Mesa, AZ. Restoration started using parts from VR918 & VR919 at Phoenix, AZ. To Frank C. Sanders of Chino, CA, 1971-1976, registered as N232J. Restoration completed, converted to 2-seat configuration. First flight, 1971. Flown as N232/232/0. To Lloyd A. Hamilton, Santa Rosa, CA, 1980. To William E. Sims, Charleston, IL, 1982-1987. To Ronald M. Runyan, Springdale, OH, May 1988-1995. Leased to Robert J.Lamplough, North Weald, UK, 1988-1994. Delivered by air to North Weald, Apr. 24, 1990. To Aces High Ltd, North Weald, UK on June 13, 1994-1995, registered as G-BVOE. To Maruna Airplane Co, Akron, OH, Jan. 1995. To Gallant Corp, Dover, DE, Feb. 1, 1995, registered as N232J. Shipped to USA from North Weald, UK. To Michael Brown, Carson City, NV, Mar. 21, 1996-1997. To Michael Brown/Sea Fury Ltd, Carson City, NV, May 1997-2004, registered as N232MB. Restored, Ione, CA, 1996-1998, fitted with Wright R-3350. First flight, 1998. Flown as race #232, "September Fury". Additional modification done for racing, including small canopy.Known Squadron Assignments:
Wings folded on take off on 24 November 1948, repaired and returned to service. With VF 870 when it disbanded in late March 1954, coded "106". Still carried these markings after transfer to School of Naval Aircraft Maintenance, at HMCS Shearwater.Known Squadron Assignments:
Known Squadron Assignments: ;Winter
To Winter Experimental Establishment at RCAF Station Namao, Alberta, and Watson Lake, Yukon, from winter of 1948 / 1949. Coded "ZZ*A" while there. Painted red on horizontal stab and outer wing panels. Destroyed in crash at Watson Lake on 30 January 1951.Known Squadron Assignments:
To RN in January 1948. Transported to Canada on board HMCS Magnificent, in RN markings. Loaded in UK on 25 May 1948. Served with 803 and 871 Squadrons. Survived mid air collision with Firefly PP426 on 26 January 1949. Carried codes "VG-AA*B" and "160". Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Broken up and sold as spares in 1960s, probably most parts went to Germany.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with VF 870 and VF 871, coded "AA*B" and "108". Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Sold to Bancroft Industries in 1963. To National Aeronautical Collection same year. Now in Canada Aviation Museum, Ottawa, coded "110".Known Squadron Assignments:
Used for deck landing trials onboard HMCS Magnificant, in UK waters, from 4 May 1948, in RN markings. Still in RN markings during early days at Shearwater. Took part in first Naval air show in Canada, at Shearwater on 21 July 1948, in early RCN markings by then, including blue maple leaf over red centre of RN roundels. Group Commander's aircraft summer of 1948, coded B*GC. With VF 870 when it ditched on 12 June 1951.Known Squadron Assignments:
Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 870 Squadron in June 1952, coded "BC*H". Visited Mount Hope airport, Hamilton, Ontario, in these markings.Known Squadron Assignments:
Crashed on 28 March 1949, while on test flight.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 870 Squadron, coded "BC*F", in September 1952. Also with 803 and 883 Squadrons, no dates.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded on board HMCS Magnificent on 18 May 1948, for transport to Canada. With 883 Squadron detachment to CJATC, Rivers Camp, Manitoba for armament training fall of 1949. With 803 Squadron when it crashed on 27 March 1951.Known Squadron Assignments:
Lost at sea on 28 February 1951. with 883 Squadron at that time.Known Squadron Assignments:
Coded "127" in September 1953. With VF 871 detachment to CJATC, Rivers Camp, Manitoba in January 1954. Also with 883 and 870 Squadrons, no dates known.Known Squadron Assignments:
Nosed over on landing on HMCS Magnificent on 12 September 1950, coded "AA*F" at that time. Gear collapsed on landing, date unknown, coded "113" at the time. Also coded "113", with 870 Squadron, when it took part in the 1952 Canadian National Exhibition air show. Based at Malton during the show. Also served with 883 Squadron and VX 10, dates unknown. Still coded "113" when it crashed on 10 August 1955, while with VT 40.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron detachment to CJATC, Rivers Camp, Manitoba for armament training fall of 1949. Carried no codes at that time. With 871 Squadron, 30th Carrier Air Group in May 1952, coded "AA*D". Coded "114" by 1953. Also with 803 Squadron, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Royal Navy in February 1948. Shipped to Canada on board HMCS Magnificent. With 803 Squadron when it took the barrier onboard Magnificent on 19 Narch 1949. Forced landing at Dartmouth with severe engine vibrations and power loss on 11 July 1949. With 883 Squadron when it landed gear up at Dartmouth on 3 May 1951. With 871 Squadron, coded "115", in April 1952. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Broken up for spares, some parts, including tail unit, sold to Bill Baird to be used in repair fo VX686 and shipped to Queen Creek, Arizona.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Royal Navy in February 1948. Shipped to Canada on board HMCS Magnificent. Damaged in bird strike on 4 January 1949, while with 803 Squadron. Gear up landing at Shearwater, on 26 May 1949. By then was in early RCN markings, including blue maple leaf on red centre of RN roundels, no code marked. Served with VF 871by May 1951, coded "AA*L". With 870 Squadron November 1951. Onboard HMCS Magnificent with 870 Squadron later that month, marked "AA*L". Overhauled July 1956, and placed in storage. In storage at RCAF Station Scoudouc, NB in August 1959, no codes marked. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Broken up for spares, some parts, including wing centre section, sold to Bill Baird to be used in repair fo VX686 and shipped to Queen Creek, Arizona. Instrument panel and some other parts to Shearwater Aviation Museum.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Royal Navy in July 1948. With 883, 870 and 871 Squadrons. Coded "AA*H" and later "118". Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Broken up and sold as spares in 1960s.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 and 871 Squadrons.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Canadian Joint Air Training Centre, Rivers Camp, Manitoba, with VF 871, spring of 1953, coded "120". Unit was working up for detachment to Korea, but war ended before unit was sent. Also seen on HMCS Magnificent with this code, when it struck the barrier on 20 September 1953. Also with 883 and 870 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 871 Squadron, coded "AA*D", when it visited Kindley Field, Bermuda, in early 1950s. Later coded "121". Also with 883 Squadron, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
Arrived at Shearwater June 1949 with RN roundels, no fin flash, and "Royal Navy" marked above serial number on fuselage. Seen with 802 Squadron crest on cowl, but no codes, date unknown. By May 1950 with 803 Squadron, coded "BC*A", when it caught the barrier on board HMCS Magnificent. Also with 870 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
Coded "100". With 883 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
Damaged in collision with truck at Shearwater, on 7 April 1952. Coded "AA*K" at that time. Nosed over while taxiing at Shearwater on 24 February 1954, with VF 870, coded "123" by then. With 883 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
Group Commanders aircraft summer of 1949, coded "B*GC". With 883 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 and 871 Squadrons, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*P" on 23 March 1951, when it nosed over after engaging the barrier on HMCS Magnificent. With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*T", during HMCS Magnificent's Mediterranean cruise of 1952. Onboard HMCS Magnficent, coded "127", in 1953. With 803 and 871 Squadrons and VX10, dates not known. Last Sea Fury overhauled by Fairey Canada, delivered on 2 November 1956. Ferried to Scoudouc, NB for storage, by VX 10 pilot. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Sold to Brian Baird of Ottawa for $500, c.1962. Registered as CF-PRN. Damaged in hanger fire at Moncton, remains shipped to Queen Creek, Arizona for restoration but owner was killed in plane crash on 7 August 1959. Restoration completed by Frank Sanders od Santa Ana, California, on airshow circuit for many years. Several subsequent owners in UK and US, won the 2006 Unlimited Gold Championship at Reno, NevadaKnown Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*A", when it visited Gibralter on 7 November 1950. Operating off HMCS Magnificent at the time. Still carrying this code when lost at sea on 1 March 1951.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Royal Navy in December 1949. First with 883 Squadron. Served with 803 Squadron and VF 870, coded "BC*O". Coded "128" in May 1951. Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside at McEwans Airfield, still coded "128". Still there in 1961. Broken up and sold as spares.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 871 Squadron in January 1952, coded "AA*C". With 881 Squadron when it ditched on 10 September 1952.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 803 Squadron.Known Squadron Assignments:
With VF871 and VX10.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*A", early 1950s. Lead aircraft of VF 871 detachment at Coronation Review fly past in the UK, 15 June 1953. Coded "131" at the time. Flew last official RCN Sea Fury flight, on 3 April 1957. Later ferried to Calgary, Alberta for use as a training aid at the Southern Alberta Institiute of Technology. Still there till 1966. Gate guardian at HMCS Tecumseh, Calgary from May 1966 to 1984. Restored from 1984 by Aero Space Museum of Calgary. To Naval Museum of Alberta, in Calgary, from 1988. Displayed in "AA*A" markings.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 870 Squadron in June 1952, coded "BC*A". Carried F-24 camera in fuselage. Coded "132". Destroyed in mid-air on 10 April 1953, with 870 Squadron at the time.Known Squadron Assignments:
To Royal Navy in June 1951. Onboard HMCS Magnificent in 1952, with 871 Squadron, coded "133". Sold to Charlie McEwan, flown to his privately owned airport near Moncton, NB in 1959 and stored outside. Sold to Robert P. Vanderveke of, Pierrefords, Quebec, September 1961, registered as CF-VAN. Painted red with gold stripe on fuselage. To Michael D. Carroll, Long Beach, CA, 1965-1969, registered as N878M, modifed as racer. Military equipment removed, airframe lightened, fule capcity increased from 240 to 588 gallons. Outer wing panels clipped (removing 6.5 ft. total). Small bubble canopy installed. First race appearance at Reno 1966. Flown as race #87 "Signal Sea Fury" by Lyle Shelton. To Sherman Cooper, Merced, CA, 1969-1972. Flew as Race #87 "Miss Merced". Nosed over during forced landing after engine failure near Mojave, CA, 13 November 1971. To Frank C. Sanders, Chino, CA, 1980-1981, acquired wreck. To James A. Mott, South Gate, CA, 1984-1999, acquired wreck from Frank Sanders. Rebuilt at Chino, 1984-1988, back to nearly stock condition excpet for Centaurus 175 engine. Flew as race #42 "Super Chief". Period between 1992-1999 unknown. To Stephen Bolander and Jim Michaels/J&S Aviation, Oconomowoc, WI, 24 March, 1999-2002. Trucked from Chino to Ione, CA for restoration. Fitted with Wright R-3350 and additional racing mods. First flight, Ione, CA, Mar. 2000. Flown as race #87 "Miss Merced". To Eric Woelbing, Franksville, WI, July 21, 2003-2004. Flown as race #87 "Miss Merced", based at Kenosha Airport, WI.Known Squadron Assignments:
Known Squadron Assignments:
Ground looped on landing on board HMCS Magnificent, off Brermuda, on 5 November 1952. Coded "135" at that time. With VF871, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*A", early 1950s. Carried these markings when operated from HMCS Magnificent.Known Squadron Assignments:
With 883 Squadron, coded "AA*B", when it struck the barrier on board HMCS Magnficent on 12 June 1952. Also with 870 Squadron, dates not known.Known Squadron Assignments:
On board HMCS Magnificent in September 1954, coded "138", for Exercise New Broom II. Carried Popeye art work on cowling. With VF871.Known Squadron Assignments:
With VF 871 detachment to CJATC, Rivers Camp Manitoba in January 1954, for armament training. On board HMCS Magnificent, coded "139", date unknown.Known Squadron Assignments:
With VF 870 and VF 871. Carried pennant number 140 when itr was at CJATC, Rivers Camp, Manitoba for armament training.Known Squadron Assignments:
Flown to the Mediterranean in June 1951 to meet HMCS Magnificent. With VX 10, where it was known as "The Pet". Carried pennant number 141 while with this unit.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. With VF 871. Used by VX 10 for target towing trials in August 1956, one of the last operational Sea Furies.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. Served with VF 870. With VT 40, coded "801", when it crashed, date unknown.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. Ditched, off HMCS Magnificent, in early 1955.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. Served with VT 40.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. Crashed, burned, and exploded during Field Carrier Landing Practice at Shearwater on 9 March 1955. Coded "146" at this time. Pilot J. W. Searle pulled from burning wreck shortly before it exploded, by Lt. D. Muncaster, who had just arrived by helicopter. Muncaster was awarded George Medal in 1956 for this rescue.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. In storage at RCAF Station Scoudouc, NB in late 1950s.Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to Norfolk, Virginia by USS Midway in October 1952, collected there by HMCS Magnificent in November 1952. Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. With VF 871 when it crashed on 4 June 1955.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871 and VT 40.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Later carried code "354", signficance not known. With VF 871 when it crashed on 4 October 1955.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VX 10.Known Squadron Assignments:
Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871.Known Squadron Assignments:
Last Sea Fury produced. Loaded onboard HMCS Magnificent in the UK, early October 1953, for transport to Canada. Already in RCN markings, including 3 digit pennant number, by then. Served with VF 871.