Sea Fury
Hawker · United Kingdom · first flew 1945 · fighter
The Hawker Sea Fury was the last propeller-driven fighter to serve with the Royal Navy and among the fastest piston-engined aircraft ever built.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10.57 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large five-blade propeller on a huge Centaurus radial
- Low-set tapered wings with a clean elliptical-tip planform
- Fastest of the British piston fighters, naval arrester hook
Look for the broad five-blade propeller and the deep, blunt Centaurus cowling. The low-set tapered wing with rounded tips and the tall conventional tail are characteristic. A tailwheel stance and naval arrester hook confirm the carrier fighter.
Specifications
- The Sea Fury has a length of 10.57 m (35 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.69 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 740 km/h (460 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the wartime Tempest line as the lighter Fury, the design matured into the navalised Sea Fury, first flying in 1945 just as the war ended. Powered by the 2,480 hp Bristol Centaurus radial, it entered Fleet Air Arm service in 1947. It saw extensive combat during the Korean War.
Variants
The principal version was the FB.11 fighter-bomber, with single-seat and two-seat trainer forms. The land-based Fury was exported to several air forces. Many surplus airframes later became air-racing mounts in the United States.
Where you'll see it
In the UK the Sea Fury is flown by the Navy Wings charity at Yeovilton associated with Fleet Air Arm heritage at Yeovilton, and airworthy examples appear at airshows including Flying Legends. The Fleet Air Arm Museum at Yeovilton preserves the type's naval story. It remains a crowd favourite for its raw radial power.
Related aircraft
- Hawker Hurricane Mk IV
- Hawker Sea Fury FB.11
- Hawker Sea Hawk FGA.6
- Hawker Sea Fury T.20
- Arsenal VB 10
- Bachem Ba 349 Natter
- Bell XP-83
- Convair XP-81
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