Hawker Sea Fury & Grumman Bearcat - Bristol Centaurus & Pratt & Whitney R2800 engines together.
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Published 2017-07-31
Hawker Sea Fury ISS (G-CBEL)
Operator: Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd
Year of Manufacture: 1953
Powered by: Bristol Centaurus XVIII
Colour Scheme: Royal Navy prototype SR661
This Fury, construction number 37539 was produced by Hawker’s as a Fury ISS – Iraqi Single Seat for the Iraqi Air Force, as part of contract number 53/1/012 for 60 aircraft, and was numbered 315 within this production batch. The aircraft was bought to Orlando, Florida, USA from Iraq in 1979 by Ed Jurist and David C Tallichet. In 1989 the aircraft passed to Laws/Coleman Warbird Museum, Coleman, Texas where it was rebuilt to airworthy condition, before flying again in April 1991, registered as N36SF. The Fury was then shipped to the UK in September 1991, passing into the ownership of John Bradshaw at Wroughton until 2009. During this time the aircraft flew in the markings of a Dutch Navy and latterly Royal Australian Navy aircraft marked as 361 and on the UK Civil Register as G-CBEL. She was then exported to Australia where she was registered as VH-SFW. She was imported back into the UK by her new owners, Anglia Aircraft Restorations Ltd. and was re-registered again as G-CBEL. The aircraft has been refurbished and repainted, by Air Leasing Ltd, in the colours of one of Hawker’s Sea Fury prototypes coded SR661, which was a modified Fury Mk.II with a tail hook fitted, but without the folding wings included on subsequent production Sea Fury’s.
Grumman F8F-2P Bearcat G-RUMM
The Bearcat design was the Grumman response to the US Navy’s request in the latter war years for a fast responsive fighter to be deployed in the Pacific Theatre. The type did not see operational service during the Second World War as the conflict had ended before they saw combat service. It was however used to great effect in French Indo-China by the French Air Force. The Bearcat could out perform many early Jet fighter aircraft of the period.
The Fighter Collection aircraft was built in 1948 and taken on charge in August of that year by the US Navy. She served at a number of Naval Air Stations before undergoing modification to F8F-2P standard in 1952. Following further Navy service she was finally struck off charge in January 1957. She passed through two sets of private owners in the US, the first between 1957 and 1972, and the second until 1981. It was under this second private ownership that she underwent a full overhaul and flew once again in 1975. It was in 1981 that the Bearcat joined what was to become The Fighter Collection and she has gone on to be the longest serving member of their fleet. It's powered by a Pratt & Whitney R2800-73 engine.
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All Comments (21)
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This is it. These two aircraft represent the elite of the radial piston engine naval fighters of WW2. Loved seeing them fly together. They make a hell of a nice noise.
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I wish YouTube had a "love" button and not just a "like" button. I love these aircraft!
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Both represent the ultimate in piston engine fighters, great to see them flying together in perfect formation aerobatics!
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As others have said, these two aircraft, along with several others represent the pinnacle of piston power aircraft technology at the end of the WW II development. The Bearcat was designed as a carrier based interceptor around one of the largest aircraft engines available. The goal was to fit the smallest airframe around the biggest engine without losing too much agility or combat performance.
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Bearcat: I'm an absolute bad ass of the sky! Sea Fury: 'old my beer, Mate.
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To me, the Sea Fury is simply the most beautiful aircraft of this era. It looks fast sitting still. There’s an undeniable purity to its lines that set it apart.
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Some of the best formation flying from old war birds I've ever seen. 90% of the flight looked like both planes were controlled by one pilot. So clean. Wonderful sounds too ,thank you for no music
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This is a fantastic display of flying skill, and so much better without the awful music and tannoy in the background. Well done for capturing this display!
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Oh I wish I'd been there! My dad flew Furies in the 50s! :) Thanks for the post! Watching it makes me pretty emotional; my dad's gone passed on now and left me his log book, and squadron flying scarf. It means everything to me. When he used to enthuse about flying some of the manoeuvres as demonstrated above, his eyes would shine. Seeing this video makes me appreciate the skill involved, and the freedom he must have felt piloting such a beautiful machine. Wow.
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Hawker Sea Fury & Grumman Bearcat love louis shirley
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My father served for 5 years one of the 2 Canadian aircraft carriers called the HMCS Magnificent. The other was the Bonaventure. He was the guy that paddled the Hawker Seafuries onto the carrier deck. I have a binder of amazing pictures of them taking off, landing and crashing into the deck. My father also helped rescue the pilots from the aircraft on the deck and with helicopters in the water. It lead him into air traffic control when he remustered into the Airforce where he served for another 35 years. He was so impressed with the Sea Fury!
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Now THAT is music to my ears! What a duet!
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How refreshing to not have to hear on-site narration or 'theme' music in the background.... Thanks to you for posting and to the show presenters.
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Thanks you for NOT clouding up this beautiful video with nonsense music the only music that matters is whats generated by the engines and props!!! Nicely done
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2 absolutely gorgeous fighters! What a sight to see together!
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Two great fighters, representing the pinnacle of piston engine technology, both heavily influenced by FW-190.
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What a true joy. Two of my favourite propeller aircraft post WWII, both beautiful. I've only seen the sea fury up close. It struck me with awe. The propeller size was astonishing. 👏👏👏👏👏👏
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Graceful. The synchronicity of each manouvre was excellence. A very well performed aerial dance. Great credit to the camera operator, who kept the two in frame all the while!
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Great video mate, thank you for posting!! For the Sea Fury to have the title of "fastest piston engined fighter" is truly remarkable, carrier aircraft are bigger and more sturdy than land based aircraft so you wouldn't think that it could reach those speeds. Fantastic to see the BearCat in the air as well, there's not many of them left flying. 🇬🇧🇬🇧✌✌
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I'm always much impressed by the propeller diameter on the Fury.
