New for the 2007 Display Season, VR930 displays her authentic 802 NAS scheme as originally applied in 1948 whilst ashore at RNAS Eglinton and embarked in HMS Vengeance. [both © Lee Howard]

Cockpit of VR930 [© Lee Howard]

The Sea Fury was the Fleet Air Arm's last piston-engined fighter to serve in front-line Squadrons. The prototype Sea Fury first flew on 21 February 1945 and carried out deck landing trials in HMS Ocean in October of that year. The first production aircraft (Mk.F.10) flew on 15 August 1946 and the first Squadron, No.807, re-equipped with F.10s at the Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in late 1947. The first Squadron to fly with the FB.11 variant, No.802, re-formed in May 1948. In all, fifty Sea Fury F.10s were built, followed by 615 Sea Fury FB.11s, the last of which came off the production line in November 1952.

A 2-seat trainer variant, the T.20, was also produced with the prototype flying in January 1948. A total of 60 of these aircraft were built.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the Sea Fury was the Fleet Air Arm's leading single-seat fighter, and it fought with great distinction during the conflict. Sea Fury squadrons involved in Korea were 802 Squadron (HMS Ocean), 807 Squadron (HMS Theseus), 801 and 804 Squadrons (HMS Glory) and 805 and 808 Squadrons (HMAS Sydney). The aircraft were mainly used in the ground attack role armed with bombs and rockets, but they were also engaged in air-to-air combat with the much faster MiG-15. On 9 August 1952 a Flight of Sea Furies from 802 Squadron flown by Lieutenants Carmichael and Davis, and Sub-Lieutenants Haines and Ellis, were on an armed reconnaissance flight in an area just North of Chinimpo when they were attacked by eight enemy MiG-15s. Despite the enemy's superiority in numbers and a 200 mph speed advantage, the Sea Fury pilots shot down one MiG and badly damaged two others without incurring any damage to their own aircraft. As Flight leader, Lieutenant Carmichael was officially accredited with the 'kill' and was subsequently awarded the DSC for his heroism, but all of the other pilots officially claimed their quarter share.

With the advent of the introduction into Fleet Air Arm service of jet aircraft such as the Sea Hawk, the Sea Fury was relegated to second-line duties, with many being employed by the Air Branch of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. After the premature axing of the RNVR units in 1957 the majority of Sea Furies were sadly scrapped. Happily a handful survived to see service with the civilian-run Fleet Requirements Unit, used as 'flying targets' for the training of RN ship crews, until finally being retired in 1962 – the final piston-engined, fighter-type aircraft to see service in Royal Navy markings.

VR930 whilst with 801 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Glory, ashore at RNAS Hal Far, late 1953. [via AJ Leahy]

Sea Fury FB.11 VR930

Delivered to the Royal Navy at RNAS Culham in March 1948, VR930 then spent from May to December of that year in front-line service with 802 Squadron aboard HMS Vengeance and ashore at RNAS Eglinton. Between December 1948 and August 1953 she was held in reserve at various Aircraft Holding Units at Anthorn, Abbotsinch, Sembawang and Fleetlands, undergoing a Category 4 repair at the Royal Naval Aircraft Yard Donibristle before returning to front-line service again with 801 Squadron. Between August 1953 and July 1954 she flew a further 284 hours with the squadron before going to RNAY Fleetlands for reconditioning.

With the airframe now effectively reset to zero hours she was held in reserve at Anthorn and Lossiemouth before transferring to the Fleet Requirements Unit at Hurn (now Bournemouth Airport) in November 1959. With this unit she flew a further 828 hours, and when put up for disposal in January 1961 she had flown an absolute total of almost 1280 hours during her active service. In 'retirement' she spent several years at RAF Colerne, and periods at RNAS Yeovilton and Boscombe Down, being used as a spares source for the RNHF's original Sea Fury FB.11 TF956. With the loss of the latter aircraft in 1989 the decision was taken to rebuild VR930 and she was duly moved to British Aerospace's Brough works for restoration to flying standard, eventually joining the RNHF in 1998 in pristine condition in 802 NAS Korean War markings.

VR930 now flies in her authentic, original 802 NAS code of '110/Q' as worn when she first joined the unit at the shore base of RNAS Eglinton, Northern Ireland, and embarked in HMS Vengeance in 1948. This early scheme was applied to all F.10 and the early FB.11 aircraft.