First run for N85SF in 10 years (13 years for the Curtis-Wright R-3350), Auburn Airport, CA on May 7, 2016; with taxi test on May 21, 2016. Restoration by the Dwelle family.
Well done! No matter how concienciously a re-build is done, there is always a fair bit of tension waiting for an engine to give that first cough, and then to run without hearing, seeing or smelling anything untoward, Respect and appreciation to all who helped preserve this peice of aviation history.
Tom and Ken thank you for your time while I was at the air races. My daughters thought that our conversation was really neat. Thanks to both of you! Wally Haskett
My Dad flew these in Korea, all-be-it with Bristol Centarus engines. The Americans got him out 2 hours after he was shot down south of Pyongyang, flying from HMS Theseus. Beautiful airplane.
I know this is really late coming in with this sort of comment but you richly deserve it and many more so... Hearty heart felt congratulations to you Sir and all, and I'm quite sure there were many "All's" along the way, who helped you get to this point in your very ambitious project. The sense of accomplishment and pride you must have felt after ten full years of diligent hard sometimes frustrating work! I bet there were days where the wrenches flew farther than you were beginning to believe the aircraft would again and when you came to intimate understanding of exactly how it came by its name, "Fury"! Lol, lol. And you swore up and down that was it! You had it! And it would be a cold cold day I. Hades before you returned, and you mean it too!!! But then it actually snowed in Las Vegas so you were back at it the next day, lol! (Seriously it did actually Snow in Las Vegas Nevada one of the years you were restoring your beauty I just forget which exactly, and Vegas being Sin City and all...well.. You would have actually been forced back to the grindstone as it really did Snow in Hell! Lol) But through it all you and your mates stuck it out good times, bad and here you are at the end of that tunnel that seemed so terribly far away probably not all that long ago. Well nearly to the end but first flight is spitting distance now, no sweat piece o cake baby! AND you also get a huge thanks from those of us who love History, especially from people like myself with special affinity for Aviation history. You really did humanity as a whole a huge service. I know that might sound a touch grandiose but in truth it is most assuredly not in any way. The aircraft of this era, one of the most important in the history of aviation without doubt humanities history as well as weapons of a destiny changing world conflict that continues to shape or effect daily life for us all some seventy nine years or around there, later. With these living examples of those times and that titanic struggle becoming ever more rare with each passing year the projects such as yours take on far greater importance and significance than ever before. Yes there will always be examples in Meseums like the great Smithsonian and thank God for those but there's a HUGE HUGE difference between seeing a static display in a big room and being able to see the same thing at an airfield on a nice sunny day, hear and feel the incredible roar and uniquely beautiful sound of a Radial Engine. smell the smoke from the burned oil and high octane Av Gas, then see it actually fly, witness exactly how fast they are when they fly passes overhead. Those stupid historical accounts from schoolbooks or even seeing movies begin to suddenly seem to jump to life. You can begin to understand a bit of what those in those cockpits experienced, and wham! It's a real and living thing that seconds before might have been dusty dirty dead and boring history with zero meaning or relevance. What can be better or important than that! Not a bad deal at all considering you are also doing what your passionate about and love!! Again! Three Cheers for You and your Crew! Sorry so long, but I'm also very passionate AND long winded too! Lol, lol. Best of luck in future endeavors and projects hopefully this won't be your only one...
Who watched the movie "The Flight of the Phoenix" and remember that a model airplane rebuilt a Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, which used that same engine and had a dramatic departure?
boy how proud all who participated in the resuscitation (I use that word intentionally because I have always felt every single plane I ever flew was alive, had a heart and soul kind of. So while one might simply restore a machine like a car one brings an airplane back to life. Stupid I know but to me real none the less. Hey if some people can still believe the earth is flat then I can have my own pet beliefs right, lol). must be exceedingly proud on a day like this one especially the principal owner/pilot. Congrats to all of you and a million cheers for all of you who go through the huge efforts and sacrifices to make sure history stays alive!
An R3350? I get to hear converted P2 Orions fly fire retardant to various fires in the Sierras during fire season, what an indescribable treat it is to hear them roar considering their important missions Big radials are my favorites especially the R4360 corncob.
Any piston/prop driven fighter you wake up!. And some of them get out of bed real cranky! So long story short, always have your wits about you. Oh and btw, one last major tip. Stay away from shiny spinning things! Ie the prop....
On that first proper run, at 15.15ish how come theres white smoke from lower exhausts right hand side and dark smoke above and on all the left ones? One exhaust per cyl right?
The Curtis-Wright R-3350 is the B-29 engine, isn't it? Is this the original Sea Fury engine? C/W did get these engines to stop burning their crankcases after the war, didn't they?
Can't wait to see it fly. I know it's unavoidable, but the modified two seat Fury distracts from the plane's original beauty. One long canopy would be an improvement.
Seen this gorgeous Sea Fury ( Critical Mass #10) used in anger in 2003.Came in 2001 but all was off.Three of us came over from England,hired a Winnebego,loaded it with what you may need in the desert(BEERS),drove to Stead.Met Tom and his lovely family in front of The Mass whilst walking the pitts.Bought a whole load of T shirts etc off the stand which I have to say are still looking good (Fruit of the Loom) 13/14 years later.So glad to see that beautiful aeroplane running again.Do you think you may race it maybe in the bronze or silver? If so I am on my way from little old England with the wife as all she hears about is RENO and SEA FURIES
WELL DONE TO ALL A BRILLIANT AIRCRAFT WITH A GREAT SOUND WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER THEM WHEN THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY FLEW THEM HERE THAT IS A MAGIC RESTORATION WELL WELL DONE FOR A VERY GREAT AIRCRAFT ITS A CREDIT TO ALL INVOLVED THANK YOU FOR SHARING ALAN GRIFFITHS NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA N.S.W.
Bloody 'ell mate, *gorgeous* airframe and two-seater conversion but... what in blazes happened to the original Bristol Centaurus mill and 5-bladed fan? Is it in the rear of the hangar, just out of camera frame? Hate for your weight and balance to be thrown off by bolting a Skyraider powerplant on the old girl... not to mention the Wright Duplex *spins the wrong way,* bound to wreak havoc w/ aileron trim tabs, eh wot?... ;')
Mmmmh... not the characteristic sleeve-valve sound I've been enjoying from the Sea Fury that regularly displays at the Rennes air show in France... but still very awesome to hear. :)
Please don't paint it in childish ridiculous colours. I'm sure you'll have some respect for the heritage of this beautiful machine. She was a war bird first.
