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Dates |
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Event |
1948 |
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Constructed as a Sea Fury T.20. |
1948 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Navy with s/n VX281. |
1948 |
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Transferred to 736SQN, R N A S Culdrose. |
1956 |
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Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Navy. |
From 1957 to 1963 |
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Assigned to Hawker Siddeley, Langley for storage. |
1960 |
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Transported by ground.
Moved from Chilbolton to Dunsfold. |
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Placed in open storage with other Sea Furies. |
1963 |
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Converted to a Sea Fury T.20S.
New construction number, ES.3615, assigned to the airframe.
Given a civil target-tug conversion at Dunsfold. |
From 10 June 1963 to 1974 |
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To Deutsche Luftfahrt-Berantungdienst, Cologne with new c/r D-CACO.
Operated as a target tug under contract to WGAF and WGN. |
1963 |
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Markings Applied: D-CACO
In an overall red c/s. |
From 8 October 1974 to 1976 |
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To Warbirds of Great Britain Ltd/Douglas W. Arnold, Blackbushe with new c/r G-BCOW. |
11 October 1974 |
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Ferry flight.
G-BCOV and BCOW flown from Germany to Blackbushe via Gatwick. |
15 August 1976 |
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Photographer: Peter Nicholson
Notes: Sea Fury T.20 owned by Doug Arnold on display at the 1976 Blackbushe Fly-In. |
From December 1976 to 1980 |
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To Spencer R. Flack, Elstree keeping c/r G-BCOW. |
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Markings Applied: RNFAA 253
Flown in a Korean war scheme. |
Circa 1977 |
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Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: G-BCOW 253, along side G-BCKH 252 and G-BCOV DW-A. |
February 1977 |
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To Spencer Flack, Elstree keeping c/r G-BCOW. |
Circa 1980 |
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To Dale Clarke, Gardena, CA with new c/r N8476W.
Used for Air Racing. |
Circa 1980 |
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Markings Applied: 40, Nuthin Special
Given race number 40 and named Nuthin Special. |
3 June 1980 |
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Ferry flight.
Departed Blackbushe on a delivery flight to the USA. |
From July 1980 to 1984 |
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To Dale Clarke, Gardena, CA keeping c/r N8476W. |
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Race. |
1984 |
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Photographer: Shawn Aro
Notes: Bakersfield |
After 1984 |
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Photographer: Tim OBrien |
From June 1984 to 1988 |
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To Liberty Aero Corp/Dale Clarke, Gardena, CA keeping c/r N8476W. |
From 10 September 1984 to 16 September 1984 |
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Raced as #40, named NUTHIN Special.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dale M Clarke. Qualified in 20th place with an average speed of 348.800 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 347.110 mph. Raced in Heat 3 Silver. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 345.208 mph. Raced in Heat 5. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 345.562 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 343.680 mph. |
Circa 10 September 1984 |
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Photographer: Shawn Aro |
10 September 1984 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
16 September 1984 |
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Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, Nevada. |
From 9 September 1985 to 15 September 1985 |
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Raced as #40, named NUTHIN Special.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dale M Clarke. Qualified in 21st place with an average speed of 361.844 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 361.051 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 351.674 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 356.736 mph. |
From 8 September 1986 to 14 September 1986 |
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Raced as #40, named NUTHIN Special.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dale M Clarke. Qualified in 18th place with an average speed of 387.389 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 364.606 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 361.614 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 349.441 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 359.411 mph. |
Circa 8 September 1986 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
8 September 1986 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 30 May 1987 |
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Photographer: Nick Veronico Collection
Notes: Photographed at Merced, CA. |
From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987 |
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Raced as #40, named Nuthin Special.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Robert Guilford. Qualified in 21st place with an average speed of 351.649 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 328.077 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 322.897 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 308.489 mph. |
1988 |
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Photographer: Photographed at the Hamilton Air Races |
March 1988 |
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Markings Applied: Dragon of Cymru
Repainted in Royal Navy c/s and re-named Dragon of Cymru. |
From March 1988 to 1992 |
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To Liberty Aero Corp, Santa Monica, CA with new c/r N281L. |
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Markings Applied: 281, Dragon of Cymru
Flown in Royal Navy markings. |
From 7 May 1988 to 8 May 1988 |
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Raced as #281, named Dragon of Cymru.
Competed at the Hamilton Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Robert Guilford from Santa Monica, CA. Qualified in 19th place with an average speed of 304.553 mph. |
From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989 |
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Raced as #40.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dale M Clarke. Qualified in 34th place with an average speed of 215.352 mph. |
Circa 1993 |
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Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At EAA Oshkosh. |
Circa 1993 |
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Photographer: Charlene Aro |
22 January 1993 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for N281L (SEA FURY TMK 20, ES 3615) issued. |
From 16 September 1993 to 2000 |
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To Polar Air Museum/Wally Fisk, Saint Paul-Anoka County, MN keeping c/r N281L. |
From 9 September 1996 to 15 September 1996 |
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Raced as #281.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Dennis Sanders. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 352.773 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 343.165 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 355.621 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 352.196 mph. |
Circa 9 September 1996 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 9 September 1996 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
Circa 9 September 1996 |
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Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races. |
From 8 September 1997 to 14 September 1997 |
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Raced as #281.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Curtis Brown JR from Alvin, TX. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 359.545 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 357.560 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 361.068 mph. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 368.549 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 362.798 mph. |
25 July 2000 |
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To Zager Aircraft Corp, Cupertino, CA keeping c/r N281L. |
From 2004 to 2006 |
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Markings Applied: VX281, 281, Dragon of Cymru
Based at Ione, CA. Flown in Royal Navy markings. |
29 May 2007 |
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Civil registration, N281L, cancelled.
Exported to United Kingdom. |
29 May 2007 |
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Civil registration, N281L, cancelled. |
2007 |
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To Royal Navy Historic Flight, RNAS Yeovilton. |
5 April 2007 |
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Transported by ship.
Moved to the UK arriving at North Weald for assembly. |
From 1 June 2007 to 23 February 2010 |
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To Royal Navy Historic Flight with new c/r G-RNHF. |
31 May 2008 |
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First flight. Flown with markings applied: VX281, 120, VL
Flown at North Weald. |
23 February 2010 |
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To Naval Aviation Ltd, Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, Yeovil keeping c/r G-RNHF. |
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To Royal Navy Historic Flight, R N A S Yeovilton, Yeovilton, Somerset, England.
 View the Location Dossier |
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Markings Applied: VL-120 |
11 June 2011 |
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Photographer: Joop de Groot
Notes: 2011 photo taken at RAF Woodvale in the UK. Photo displayed with written permission of Joop de Groot |
7 September 2013 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: At RAF Leuchars final Air Show |
31 July 2014 |
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Crashed.
At Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose Air Day, engine failure followed by emergency landing (wheels lowered but then retracted to maintain airspeed, attempt to put wheels down at last minute failed when undercarriage collapsed on touch down - unlikely that undercarriage had locked before touchdown) Aircraft slewed off runway onto grass and pilot exited aircraft OK when it came to a stop. |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (just prior to engine failure) |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (just after engine failure) |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (coming in for emergency landing) |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (emergency landing - almost at the threshold) |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (emergency landing, wheels coming down but not locked) |
31 July 2014 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Culdrose Air Day (following emergency landing - pilot got out OK ) |
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Restored. |
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Restored.
The work was carried out at North Weald. A replacement Bristol Centaurus was rebuilt and installed. |
1 September 2017 |
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First flight.
Flown at North Weald. |
15 September 2017 |
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Ferry flight.
Returned to Yeovilton. |
13 July 2019 |
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Photographer: Robert Nichols
Notes: at RNAS Yeovilton Airshow, restored and back on the flight line |
28 April 2021 |
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Crashed.
Extensively damaged in a forced landing in a field 2 miles short of Runway 04 at Yeovilton, after engine problems. |
11 November 2021 |
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To The Fighter Collection, Duxford with new c/r G-BCOW.
Wreck acquired for future restoration. |
