Dates

Event

Constructed as a Sea Fury T.20.

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Navy with s/n WE820.

From 1957 to 1958

To Hawker-Siddeley Aircraft Ltd, Langley.

May 1958

Converted to a Sea Fury T.20S.
New construction number, ES.8504, assigned to the airframe.
A civil target tug conversion was carried out by Hawker.

September 1958

To Deutsche Luftfahrt-Berantungdienst with new c/r D-FOTE.
The delivery date is provided.

From 1963 to 1972

To Deutsche Luftfahrt-Berantungdienst, Cologne with new c/r D-COTE.

1975

Withdrawn from use.
Placed in open storage at Wahn, West Germany.

1980

To Warbirds of the World/John J. Stokes, San Marcos, TX with new c/r N85SF.

From 1984 to 1987

To Eric Lorentzen, Caldwell, NJ keeping c/r N85SF.
Markings added: BLIND MANS BLUFF
Mr. Lorentzen was the owner of a window-blind company, hence the name.

Restored.
Rebuilt as a highly modified single-seat racer with a Wright R-3350 installed. Also included A-26 cowls, a squared tailplane, clipped wings and a low canopy.

Modified with a larger vertical tail, the cockpit was moved aft and the Wright engine converted to use alcohol. There were problems with the alcohol system so the engine was reverted to run on gas.

From August 1987 to 1988

To Window Magic of Arizona Inc/Eric Lorentzen, Scottsdale, AZ keeping c/r N85SF.

From 14 September 1987 to 20 September 1987

Raced as #88, named BLIND MANS BLUFF.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Skip Holm. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 394.103 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 388.894 mph. Started Heat 2B, but did not finish. Did not start in Heat 3C. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 367.329 mph.

16 September 1987

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

Circa 1988

Photographer: Tim OBrien

Circa 1988

Photographer: Tim OBrien

Circa 1988

Photographer: Tim OBrien

From January 1988 to 1989

To Steven A. Bolan, Scottsdale, AZ keeping c/r N85SF.

From October 1989 to 1990

To Western Wings Aircraft Sales Co/Bill Woods, Oakland, OR keeping c/r N85SF.

September 1990

Damaged in a gear-up landing at Reno, NV.

September 1990

Photographer: Roger Cain
Notes: Photo taken in the CIA hangar at Stead Field.

September 1990

Photographer: Roger Cain
Notes: Photo taken in the CIA hangar at Stead Field.

From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

Raced as #88, named BLIND MANS BLUFF.
Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the Unlimited class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete.

12 February 1991

To T A Dwelle Inc, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N85SF.

From 12 February 1991 to 2014

To Tom A. Dwelle, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N85SF.

February 1991

Transported by ground.
Trucked to Reno-Auburn, CA.

Repaired.

4 September 1993

Markings Applied: 10, Critical Mass
Flown at Auburn.

From 13 September 1993 to 19 September 1993

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 13th place with an average speed of 375.982 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 388.977 mph. Started Heat 2C, but did not finish. Did not start in the Medallion 2 race. Propeller vibration set in and the engine was damaged.

Circa 13 September 1993

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 13 September 1993

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 13 September 1993

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 13 September 1993

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

From 18 March 1994 to 20 March 1994

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Was to have competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Unlimited class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Tom Dwelle.

From 12 September 1994 to 18 September 1994

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 397.349 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 394.795 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 379.265 mph. Started Heat 3C, but did not finish. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 392.134 mph.

From 23 March 1995 to 26 March 1995

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Was to have competed at the Phoenix 500 Air Races in the Unlimited P class, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be Tom Dwelle. Was supposed to compete but Mr. Dwelle had a nitrogen bottle explode in his had days before leaving for Phoenix.

From 9 September 1996 to 15 September 1996

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 397.735 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 361.675 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 395.108 mph.

Circa 9 September 1996

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

From 8 September 1997 to 14 September 1997

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Skip Holm from Alamogordo, NM. Qualified in 8th place with an average speed of 403.006 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 377.714 mph. Raced in Heat 2C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 397.905 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 386.198 mph. Started the Consolation race, but did not finish.

From 13 September 1999 to 19 September 1999

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 435.015 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 426.019 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 399.782 mph. Started the Championship race, but did not finish.

From 11 September 2000 to 17 September 2000

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 429.610 mph. Did not start in Heat 2B. Raced in Heat 3D. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 423.800 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 434.962 mph.

Circa 11 September 2000

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

Circa 11 September 2000

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

11 September 2000

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

25 January 2001

Certificate of airworthiness for NX85SF (SEA FURY TMK 20, ES8504) issued.

From 10 September 2001 to 15 September 2001

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Attended the National Championship Air Races, but did not compete in the Unlimited class and it is uncertain if there was an intent to compete. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 448.308 mph.

Circa 10 September 2001

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 8 September 2002

Photographer: Charlene Aro

8 September 2002

Damaged.
Gear collapsed while taxying at Reno-Stead, NV.

From 9 September 2002 to 15 September 2002

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA.

Circa 2003

Photographer: Ken Videan
Notes: At Reno.

From 8 September 2003 to 14 September 2003

Raced as #10, named CRITICAL MASS.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Tom Dwelle from Auburn, CA. Qualified in 6th place with an average speed of 431.263 mph. Raced in Heat 1A. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 438.840 mph. Raced in Heat 2B. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 456.796 mph. Raced in Heat 3C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 441.158 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 446.965 mph.

From 2006 to 2011

Restored as a Sea Fury T.20.
Fuselage restored to a military T20 two seater configuration. The work was carried out at Ione, CA.

28 January 2009

To Thomas A. Dwelle, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N85SF.

Circa 2011

Photographer: Sanders Aeronautics
Notes: During restoration at Eagles Nest CA

Circa 2011

Photographer: Sanders Aeronautics
Notes: During restoration at Eagles Nest CA

Based at Auburn Municipal Airport, Auburn, CA.
View the Location Dossier

December 2011

Transported by ground.
Moved by road to Auburn for final assembly.

From 2012 to 2014

Final assembly in Auburn, CA.

18 June 2014

To Kenneth H. Dwelle, Auburn, CA keeping c/r N85SF.

7 May 2016

First engine run for 13 years.

Restoration completed.
The work was completed at Auburn with a Wight R3350 installed.

7 May 2016

First engine runs.

1 July 2017

First flight.
Flown in bare metal. Due to be painted in silver paint scheme worn when the aircraft was based at Lossiemouth, Scotland in 1953.

14 October 2018

Photographer: Anthony Taylor / warbirdfotos.com
Notes: Ken Dwelle departing Eagles Nest Airport, Ione Ca.