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Post by ozfuryfan on Feb 4, 2016 0:05:01 GMT 12
Hi All, am after some info on the Fury restored in NZ in the early 80's, am curious to know who did the engine work on the Centaurus build up at Ardmore ( I think). Also would like to contact anyone involved in the Fury's maintenance in NZ before its sale to Aus as it had a different style of points set fitted to each magneto & this is what I am looking for. Any info very much appreciated, Pete
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 4, 2016 0:30:59 GMT 12
Gulf Aeronautics was the company I believe.
Warren Denholm of Avspecs worked there then, as did Bruce Cooke who's 'Bruce' on this forum.
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Post by planecrazy on Feb 4, 2016 8:39:00 GMT 12
They did a great job as she crossed the ditch on no fewer than five occasions, over and back for the Tasmanian Skyrace, ferried by Grant Biel, flown by Robbie Booth, on the return trip she flew direct, Lord Howe Island to Ardmore! Over again when she was sold to Flying Fighters at Archerfield in Brisbane, Australia again flown by Grant Biel. Finally over and back from Australia for Warbirds over Wanaka 2002 flown by Nigel Arnot. What an awesome machine by the way!
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Post by davidd on Feb 4, 2016 8:45:40 GMT 12
Some very artistic photographs there! Very nice. David D
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Post by ozfuryfan on Feb 4, 2016 9:55:20 GMT 12
Great pics, I remember it coming for the air race in Tassie, but I really need info on the points mod. Guido did the same mod to 308 and I am in contact with the guys looking after it in the states who need the info. Would be great to see some action on the impounded Fury, I can only hope the engine was inhibited during the seizure or you can scratch 18 sleeves,cheers, Pete
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Post by suthg on Feb 4, 2016 10:27:08 GMT 12
They improved the Sea Fury over the Tempest II, more manoueverable, faster roll-rate, stronger spar to fuse connections and raised cockpit for better vision coming in for a deck landing. Lovely photos thanks!! Pinnacle of Hawkers piston engined planes. The original Fury with the Napier Sabre may have had better straight line speed and at height, but the Sea Fury outperformed her everywhere else.
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Post by Bruce on Feb 4, 2016 11:59:46 GMT 12
Yeah, I worked on it as a trainee back in the early 1990s. I cant tell you anything about the magneto points mod though, I didn't have much to do with the powerplant, other than cleaning many spark plugs! Wal Denholm would be the one who would know. It was an impressive machine to work on - everything was just so big! I got to "fly" it during retraction tests, as the lightest and fittest to pump the hand pump in the cockpit! I really miss seeing it on the airshow circuit as it really was a showstopper.
suthg, I had a look at the Tempest II when it was in NZ and was surprised just how different it was to the Fury - there is very little similarity despite appearances. things like a tubular front fuselage as opposed to continuous monocoque, 2 piece wing panels as opposed to 3 section wing, separate tailplanes instead of a one piece unit - the Fury is much more refined as one would expect.
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Post by planecrazy on Feb 4, 2016 12:52:57 GMT 12
Would be great to see some action on the impounded Fury, I can only hope the engine was inhibited during the seizure or you can scratch 18 sleeves,cheers, Pete Hi Pete, I am hoping you may be able to shead some light on this machine so she is still in Australia held by the government? Also the Yak 3 is she still in Australia?
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Post by ozfuryfan on Feb 4, 2016 23:30:51 GMT 12
Yes, as far as I know both the Yak and the Fury are still impounded, have no idea what is planned for the future, I believe Steve Hart is challenging their confiscation but have no idea how far that has gone!!cheers, Pete
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Post by planecrazy on Feb 5, 2016 18:59:57 GMT 12
Hope the Government inhibited those engines?! Sadly I suspect the Allison and Centaurus will need a rebuild!
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Post by carbonfootprint on Feb 7, 2016 13:56:27 GMT 12
How were the magneto points in the ex-New Zealand Centaurus different?
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Post by carbonfootprint on Feb 20, 2016 12:40:57 GMT 12
Early days photo of Sea Fury in New Zealand. Taken at Ardmore Airport around 1990.
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Post by planecrazy on Aug 11, 2019 11:01:48 GMT 12
Old thread, heard a whisper she in now with Ross Pay out at Scone, closer to flying again one day hopefully!
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Post by Mustang51 on Aug 11, 2019 12:19:51 GMT 12
At Ross Pays for work but another owner
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Post by verbails on Aug 25, 2019 9:27:51 GMT 12
Hi All, am after some info on the Fury restored in NZ in the early 80's, am curious to know who did the engine work on the Centaurus build up at Ardmore ( I think). Also would like to contact anyone involved in the Fury's maintenance in NZ before its sale to Aus as it had a different style of points set fitted to each magneto & this is what I am looking for. Any info very much appreciated, Pete Hi Pete I know who did the points and l the last engine repairs if you still wish to now send me a note Regards Chris
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