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Hawker Sea
Fury FB.11 --- N19SF
One of the
fastest piston engine aircraft ever built, Hawker's
magnificent Sea Fury/Fury has always had the ability to
inspire awe amongst everyone from airport kids to jet
fighter pilots. It continues to attract fans at airshows
and air races around the world and leaves most other
aircraft of the era well behind.
Hawker was designated to work on the land-based version,
the Fury, and responsibility for the naval conversion
was assigned to Boulton-Paul Aircraft Ltd. In April of
1944 contracts were placed for 200 aircraft for each the
Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. The first Sea Fury
prototype flew on February 21, 1945, but the first full
naval version with folding wings did not fly until
October 12, 1947.
The Sea Fury was to see significant involvement in the
Korean War, mainly in the ground attack role alongside
the Fairey Firefly. The aircraft also had the
distinction of shooting down a Mig-15, the first by a
piston engine fighter, this being achieved by an 802
Squadron aircraft flown by Lt. P. Carmichael on August
9, 1952.
Hawker Sea Fury FB. 11, N19SF "Argonaut", was originally
delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy as TG114 in May
1947. Frank Sanders of Chino, California acquired it in
1970 and used parts from it for other restoration
projects. It was transferred to Sanders Aircraft in 1990
and was rebuilt based on the cockpit section of Sea Fury
TG114 (former N232J) which was itself restored from
parts of VR918 and VR919. Its Bristol Centaurus engine
was replaced with a Wright R-3350-26WD radial engine,
driving a Douglas Skyraider propeller, and first flew
after restoration on July 30, 1994. It was named
"Argonaut" and assigned race number 114.
The Sanders brothers, Dennis and Brian, are renowned
experts in the field of Sea Furies and aircraft
restoration in general. "Argonaut' has been equipped
with smoke generators on both wing tips, allowing it to
visually demonstrate the effects of wing tip vortices
and its awesome performance while performing warbird
aerobatics at select airshows.
Over the years, "Argonaut" has also been a regular
Unlimited participant at the National Championship Air
Races, "the world's fastest motor sport", held every
September in Reno, Nevada. This immaculate aircraft has
relatively few race modifications. To keep oil temps
under control, spray bars are used on the oil cooler,
and it is also equipped with an ADI system, allowing it
to run a typical race power setting of 55 in.Hg. Abs at
2,900 rpm. In 2005, Matt Jackson flew 'Argonaut" to a
first place finish in the Unlimited Class Silver Race on
Sunday afternoon at a speed of 410.369 mph, just ahead
of rookie Stephen Patterson in "Southern Cross" by only
.36 mph.
Both of the Sea Furys in the photo below will be at the
air show!
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