Sea Fury Wheels up.
>>>>There appeared to be no option other than to carry out a forced landing due to time/height constraints. The Wiki. definition is :- "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying, though not in active operations against the enemy"<<<<
rvusa
If he'd decided just to save his skin when it was all going to worms, he probably had just enough time to bale out.
However, being a thoroughly briefed warbird pilot, he realised that there was a realistic possibility of saving a valuable aircraft that he obviously enjoyed, and was very competent, flying……..Take your choice from "valour" and "courage".
When the situation was falling into place and he recognised there was even a chance of getting back to CU, up came the gear and prop into Coarse, and set it up. Perhaps we could include "devotion to duty" now.
Closer in, he now realised there was even a possibility of pulling off a glide landing. Hence reselection of the gear when he was on short final.
The fact that, now, too late, the gear was only partially down made the latter part of the landing difficult. The enquiry will determine whether it was Low Hyd. P or, in fact, with the inner doors still down, an unexpected sequencing snag. Suffice it to say it had to be selected up, again, on landing, knowing that the Fury with one leg down is a killer.
Yes, I know, a lot of supposition but realistic.
But, yes, that definitely warrants an AFC in my book. A nearly textbook FLWOP from a
brave Officer. Congratulations, Chris.