Canadian Warplanes 5: Hawker Sea Fury

RCN Hawker Sea Fury

(RCN Photo via John Quinn)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 RCN (Serial No. TG127), over Toronto, Ontario, ca 1951.

The Hawker Sea Fury is a carrier fighter powered by a Bristol Centaurus XVIIC, 2,480 hp, two-row 18 cylinder radial engine.  It had a maximum speed of 740 km/h (460 mph) at a height of 5,500 m (18,000 ft), with a rate of climb of 9,140 m (30,000 ft) / 10 min 48 sec, a service ceiling of 10,910 m (35,800 ft), and a range of 1,127 km (700 mi).  It is armed with four 20-mm Hispano Mk. V autocannon and could carry twelve 76.2-mm (3-inch) rockets or 907 kg (2,000 lb) of bombs.

The Sea Fury was developed during the Second World War in the UK and entered RN service in 1947.  The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) received its first Sea Fury on 23 June 1948, at RCAF Station Rockcliffe, Ontario, and began replacing Canada's existing inventory of Supermarine Seafires, taking on the primary role of fleet air defence operating from the aircraft carrier HMCS Magnificent.  Two Canadian squadrons operated the Sea Fury, No. 803 and No. 883 Squadrons, which were later renumbered as No. 870 and No. 871 Squadrons.  Pilot training on the Sea Fury was normally conducted at the RCN's HMCS Shearwater land base.  Landing difficulties with the Sea Fury were experienced following the RCN's decision to convert to the US Navy's deck landing procedures, which were prone to overstressing and damaging the airframes as the Sea Fury had been designed for a tail-down landing attitude.  The Sea Fury was in service with the RCN from 1948 to 1956,  until it was replaced by the McDonnell F2H Banshee fighter jet.  The retired aircraft were put into storage, and some were subsequently purchased by civilians. (Wikipedia)

Hawker Sea Fury Mk. 10 (1), (Serial No. TF901), Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 (75), (Serial Nos. TF985, TF992-TF999, TG113-TG129, VR918, VR919, VW225, VW227, VW230, VW231, VW239, VW552, VW563, VW571, VW584, VX675, VX682, VX686, VX688, VX690, VX692, VX695, WG564-WG575, WJ300, WJ301, WM472-WM478, WZ633-WZ641).

RCAF On Strength (75), Canadian Aircraft Losses (2). Detailed records of all known RCN aircraft may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The  CASPIR website is researched, coded, and maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here for the Sea Fury.

(RCN Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 formation, early RCN camouflage pattern.  Aircraft coded BC-A, BC-J, BC-H and BC-G, with TF-99 Serial Nos.

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)

(RCN Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11's from No. 803 Squadron (VF-803) assigned to HMCS Magnificent.  They are in formation, painted in an early RCN camouflage pattern.  The aircraft are coded BC-F, BC-J, and BC-G, with TF-99 Serial Nos.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 RCN (Serial No. TF947) with HMCS Magnificent in the background.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 RCN (Serial No. TG120).

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 RCN, over HMCS Magnificent.

(Wilma Bearman Photo via Don Smith)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 RCN (Serial No. TG120), coded B-GC.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. II of the 19th CAG on the tarmac at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.  Note the Maple Leaf painted inside the Roundel.  (Serial No. VW584), coded BC-C, left, (Serial No. TF997), coded BC-G, centre.

(Photo from the Griffin Collection via Mike Kaehler)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. II (Serial No. VW584), coded BC-C, of the 19th CAG on the tarmac at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

(DND Photo, RG533-N-3)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. II (Serial No. VW584), coded BC-C, of the 19th CAG on the tarmac at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB 11s of the 19th CAG on the tarmac at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB 11s of the 19th CAG on the tarmac at Shearwater, Nova Scotia.  Note the Maple Leaf painted inside the Roundel on the overall dark blue colour, but not on the light and dark painted fighters.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3223880)

Hawker 'Sea Fury' FB. 11 aircraft of the RCN and a Douglas AD-4B Skyraider aircraft of the USN on the flightdeck of HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21) during Exercise Mariner, 1953.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3576953)

Hawker Sea Fury F.B.II (Serial No. 138), ranged forward aboard HMCS Magnificent during Exercise New Broom II, 14 September 1954. New Broom was an annual NATO exercise. The Maggie took part in six while her replacement the Bonnie a further four. (Chris Charland)

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3524637)

Hawker Sea Fury F.B.II (Serial No. 131), taking off from HMCS Magnificent, 30 July 1953.

(RCN Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 formation, late RCN pattern.  (Serial No. VR918) coded AA-Y, with AA-L, AA-H and AA-D.

(RCN Photo courtesy of the Shearwater Aviation Museum)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 formation, late RCN pattern.  Aircraft coded AA-H, AA-Y and AA-D.

(Comox Air Force Museum photo via Mike Kaehler)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. TG117), coded VG, WEE, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, ca 1950.

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG574), painted as NAVY 140, ca 1956.  WG574 went into long term storage at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on 27 Nov 1951.  It was remarked at VF 870, Dartmouth, coded NAVY 140, on 20 May 1953, and then went to VF 871 on 23 June 1955.  It was struck off strength on 31 Jul 1956 after a bird strike.

(Donna Davis Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. TG117), coded ZZ, WEE, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, ca 1950.

CN Sea Fury VX686. During its career with the RCN it flew with 803 Squadron on HMCS Magnificent wearing the coding AA-P, AA-T and 127.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3203189)

Hawker Sea Fury VG-BC-K from No. 803 Squadron, RCN, being re-oiled, 19th Carrier Air Group, with the Rock of Gibraltar, 7 Nov 1950.

(Cottrell Collection Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. VX686), coded 127.  During its career with the RCN it flew with No. 803 Squadron on HMCS Magnificent, coded AA-P, AA-T and 127.  VX686 was the last Sea Fury to be overhauled by Fairey Aircraft. It was later sold to Charlie McEwan in 1959.  Registered as CF-PRN, it was destroyed in a hangar fire.  Note the nose art on the engine cowl (Bison/Buffalo head in the charging position), and the closest aircraft in the background is ex RCAF Lockheed 12 (Serial No. 7640) as CF-FUS before it crashed on 15 Sep 1975.

(RCN Photo via Jack Jack Fortin)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG565), coded 131.

(Lynn Garrison Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG565), McCall Field, Calgary, Alberta, 1 April 1957.

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(royalnavyresearch archive.org.uk Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 group on HMCS Magnificent, Belfast, Northern Ireland, May 1948.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury, RCN (Serial No. WG567), coded NAVY 133, visiting No. 1 (Fighter) Wing, North Luffenham, England, ca 1949.

(DND Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury and Grumman Avenger aircraft from HMCS Magnificent being refueled alongside Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk. 2s at No. 1 (Fighter) Wing, North Luffenham, England, ca 1949.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4821007)

Deck Landing Control Officer (DLCO) signaling a Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, to take off from HMCS Magnificent.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4820892)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG566), coded NAVY 132.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4950755)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG566), coded NAVY 132, 1952.

(RCN Photo via RCAFA)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No.), coded NAVY 101, carrier deck take-off.

(Author Photos)

(Author Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. WG565), coded NAVY 131.  Delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy in 1951, WG565 was struck off strength (SOC) in 1957.   The Sea Fury was ferried to Alberta for instructional use in the Alberta Provincial Institute of Technology by Lieutenant Commander Derek Prout.  On 1 April 1958, Flying Officer Lynn Garrison, serving with No. 403 (City of Calgary) Squadron, RCAF, made the final Canadian military flight for this aircraft type.  In 1966, it went on display at HMCS Tecumseh, the Canadian Naval Reserve unit in Calgary.It was preserved outside with a Supermarine Seafire and a McDonnell Banshee in their RCN colors. Later all three were restored by the Aero Space Museum of Calgary and returned for presentation inside at the new Naval Museum of Alberta, with the Military Museums Collection, Calgary, Alberta.

(Author Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11, RCN (Serial No. TG119), c/n 41H/60997, coded NAVY 110, Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.  This Sea Fury was manufactured by Hawker Aircraft Limited in Kingston, United Kingdom in 1948.  It was accepted by the RCN in May of that year and shipped to Canada aboard HMCS Magnificent.  Beginning in 1949, it served with No. 883 Squadron, later known as VF 871, at HMCS Shearwater, a land base in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  TG119 was damaged in 1954 and repaired by Fairey Aviation Company of Canada Limited.  Retired from service, it was deemed surplus and sent to Crown Assets until 1956, when it was purchased by Bancroft Industries Limited of Montreal.  The company stored the aircraft in Fredericton, New Brunswick until 1963, and then donated it to the Museum. Fairey Aviation and a RCN unit at Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia restored the aircraft between 1963 and 1964.

(Andy Vanderheyden Photos)

Hawker Sea Fury T20, Reg. No. N51SF, Hamilton, Ontario, early 1990's.  This Sea Fury was owned and flown at the time by Warbird collector Jerry Janes.

(Hustvedt Photo)

Hawker Fury (Serial No.), c/n 37514, Reg. No. NX254SF, at an air show in Broomfield, Colorado.  This aircraft was destroyed in a crash on 25 July 2017 near Stephens County Airport, Breckenridge, Texas.  1956 Hawker Fury originally built for the Iraqi Air Force.  The aircraft was originally delivered to the Iraqi Air Force as a Hawker Fury I.  It was sold to the U.S. in 1979 and fitted with a Wright R-3350 engine.  The FAA register lists the aircraft as a 'Hawker Fury FB60'.  However this model was not used by the Iraqi Air Force.

(Kogo Photo)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 (Serial No. TG114), c/n 41H/609972, coded BC-L, "Argonaut", Reno, Nevada.  Previously CF-OYF, currently Reg. No. N232MB.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 352463)

Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 take-off, 30 July 1953.

(Hank Siemens Photos courtesy of Mike Siemens)

In 1970 Ormond Haydon-Baillie was test pilot at Cold Lake Alberta where he restored the Hawker Sea Fury FB Mk. 11 (Serial No. WH589), coded HB-O, c/n 41H/636336, Reg. No. CF-CHB. Later UK Reg. No. G-AGHB. Built in 1951 as WH589 and delivered to Australian Navy serving 805 and 724 Squadrons briefly. Sold in January 1969 becoming CF-CHB. Repainted in pseudo-RAF Tempest scheme as "WH589 HB-O". Flown to UK in late 1973 and wrecked in F/L at Munster 24 June 1979. Rebuilt as part of composite aircraft in USA.

After the RAN had retired their Furies, WH589 flew at airshows, and at the time of its retirement had only flown a total of 390 hours. It was acquired by a civil company and was tethered out to grass and still grazing when its present owner fell in love with it at first sight. He had it shipped to San Francisco, courtesy of the US Navy, on USS Coral Sea in July 1970. The rest of that month was spent getting the thing airworthy, exchanging its faded RAN blue paint for a coat of non-standard camouflage and flying it up to CFB Cold Lake, where Haydon-Baillie was serving as a flight lieutenant at that time. Here it was completely stripped down, rewired, re-instrumented and registered CF-CHB by the summer of 1971. Thereafter it was a familiar sight in American and Canadian skies, performing at airshows and successfully competing in air races. (Aeroplane monthly)

(Hank Siemens Photo courtesy of Mike Siemens)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104789), Hawker Sea Fury Mk. 11 (Serial No. WH589), flown by Ormond Haydon-Baillie, and Canadair CF-116 Freedom Fighter (Serial No. 116769)in formation over CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, c1970.

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