mystery sea fury photo

[exlatccatsa]

I found this photo, from the middle to late 40s I'm guessing, in amongst mum's hundreds of photos. As far as I know we've had no connection with carrier operations, aircrew or ships crew so I've no idea where this came from, which carrier etc. It would be interesting to find out. It looks like a Hawker Sea Fury but where when and what ship? I can make out VH under the wing. It obviously couldn't be an Australian civil reg.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/2000x1342/20220128_175521_d9624e8f86094a3eee16ee43296329c3dd35ced0.jpg

[treadigraph]

VW7** I think it is... VW700-718 were Sea Furies.

[Self loading bear]

Edit:
this looks similar but perhaps too different:
VR-938 1951 HMS Glory


https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1220x470/39ba12fa_eaa2_4019_bf12_071601922c06_94e7649206a3b60a7e2f4ff 9536e834b1f8a649c.jpeg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/613x800/9bc39961_4ceb_45b8_9ce5_1aa67d933b54_6fc41e7d71ba9d41d2b4100 46504bcb6fd11e18c.jpeg

[exlatccatsa]

Looks very similar but theyre not the same. On my photo the ac doesn't have the black and white stripes on the wing.
The props look as though they're curled forward which I would think would mean the gear collapsed at a very low speed or even the arrestor was dragging the ac slowly backwards?

[DaveReidUK]

VW7** I think it is... VW700-718 were Sea Furies.

I agree - which dates the photo to no earlier than 1949.

[exlatccatsa]

Gnkfor the replies. Looking closely I think the serial is VW71* which narrows it down to 9 aircraft.

[Repos]

I can't help with the history part of things but having had a closer look at the reg. may I suggest it's actually VH7 W* maybe?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1476x1066/reg_63ded91d35fdd64c50c95888ad6c697b997a1ed0.jpg

[Double Hydco]

I can't help with the history part of things but having had a closer look at the reg. may I suggest it's actually VH7 W* maybe?

U.K. military serials are two letters and three numbers…..

[exlatccatsa]

I looks like one of the cables broke. You can see one guy holding one end whilst the other is curled up under the ac. The others are stretched straight across the deck.

[Liffy 1M]

There may be an aircraft code on the main gear door, possibly starting with a "6".

[treadigraph]

Aircraft in the VH*** serial range were largely batches of Fireflies, Lancasters, Seafires and Barracudas, most of which appear to have been cancelled orders. No Sea Furies.

[Jhieminga]

Looks very similar but theyre not the same. On my photo the ac doesn't have the black and white stripes on the wing.
The props look as though they're curled forward which I would think would mean the gear collapsed at a very low speed or even the arrestor was dragging the ac slowly backwards?
The blades being bent forwards means that the prop was producing power when it hit. That could be due to an attempted wave off or something similar.

[DaveReidUK]

With the Sea Fury FB.11 retiring from service in 1953, I'd be surprised if the accident aircraft was repaired.

Four of the VW71x series Sea Furies are recorded as being written off in service (VW710/712/716/718), with most of the remainder of the VW batch either going to the Australian Navy or being sold back to Hawkers.

[Pilot DAR]

The first unit to receive the F.B.11was No 802 Squadron at Eglinton in May 1948

I have a question: Why would a Sea Fury, which entered service no earlier than 1948, have invasion stripes on the wings? Didn't invasion stripes end with WW2?

[The late XV105]

Having just deleted my first post because on second thoughts, I agree that the number will be VW71n.

Consequently searching the National Archive online for VW710-VW719 reveals:

Accident to Sea Fury FB11 VW710 on 7th June 1952
Accident to Sea Fury XI VW711 on 31st March 1950
Accident to Sea Fury FB11 VW718 on 7th September1953

Unfortunately, none of these records are digitised - but they are available at the National Archive in Kew Garden if there's a real desire to follow up and read them.
None of the other serials return any hits.

[megan]

Why would a Sea Fury, which entered service no earlier than 1948, have invasion stripes on the wingsA Sea Fury FB.11 launches from HMS Glory in 1951, suspect during the Korea conflict. Glory deployed to Korea in April 1951 for the first of three wartime deployments. The first deployment ended in September of that year, but Glory was back on station from January to May 1952 and November 1952 to May 1953.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/648x429/se_c62b4e5f83865e5708fa379ac32fb01802eb1cac.jpg

Australian Sea Furys were similarly adorned.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/792x532/sea_fury_vx726_me_eadc222f2d94da8d058fe4887c4499d52650c992.j pg

[lauriebe]

Interesting photo. Pity there is no code visible on the vertical tail surface. That would help narrow the search down.

The style of dress worn by the deck crew would seem to indicate summertime in the northern hemisphere or the tropics. ‘Chiefy’, visible between the prop blades, has a white top on his cap and what appears to be an officer, just in front of him, looks to be in shirt sleeve order.

The aircraft code on the u/c door mentioned in post #10 might not be a code. I think it could be a handle on a piece of equipment being carried by one of the deck crew standing there.

Of the three accidents mentioned in post #16, it is unlikely to be any of those. The 7 June 52 accident happened on the airfield at Culdrose when the stbd wing folded on take off and the aircraft, VW710, rolled and skidded upside down along the runway.

The incident involving VW711 on 31 March 52 occurred when the aircraft was en route from Vengance to Lee. Engine trouble meant the aircraft force landed. I cannot find a location but would think it unlikely to be the aircraft in the OP’s photo.

The last accident referred to involving VW718, happened near Crail airfield. The aircraft had been practicing RP attacks on the airfield when it came down a short distance to the NNW of the field.

Several other Sea Furies had barrier engagements. Those were:

VW713, serving with 807 NAS aboard HMS Theseus. On 23 March 51, suffered partial engine failure, and caught No.9 wire in an emergency landing with the prop going into the barrier. I believe the ship was at that time in Far Eastern waters.

VW714, served with both 736 and 738 NASs. In July 52, whilst with 736, it caught the No.10 wire and went into the barrier onboard HMS Illustrious. On 4 February 53, the same aircraft, whilst with 738 NAS, bounced on landing and went into the barrier onboard HMS Triumph. Both incidents appear to have been in UK waters.

Lastly, VW717. When with 738 NAS, this aircraft had two barrier engagements in a short space of time. Firstly, on 30 September 53 and then, again, on 30 October 53. Both incidents occurred onboard HMS Triumph in, I think, UK waters.

All info above taken from the excellent Air-Britain book FAA Fixed Wing Aircraft since 1946.

[Fournierf5]

I have a question: Why would a Sea Fury, which entered service no earlier than 1948, have invasion stripes on the wings? Didn't invasion stripes end with WW2?

According to Wiki, Korean War: After USAF Boeing B-29 Superfortress shot down a Fleet Air Arm Seafire on July 28, 1950, all Commonwealth aircraft were given black and white invasion stripes.

[treadigraph]

Weren't similar stripes adopted by French and UK aircraft during the Suez crisis?

[oxenos]

Weren't similar stripes adopted by French and UK aircraft during the Suez crisis?
Suez stripes were black and yellow.

[DaveReidUK]

Suez stripes were black and yellow.

And typically narrower than invasion stripes.

[Fournierf5]

Interesting photo. Pity there is no code visible on the vertical tail surface. That would help narrow the search down.

The style of dress worn by the deck crew would seem to indicate summertime in the northern hemisphere or the tropics. ‘Chiefy’, visible between the prop blades, has a white top on his cap and what appears to be an officer, just in front of him, looks to be in shirt sleeve order.

The aircraft code on the u/c door mentioned in post #10 might not be a code. I think it could be a handle on a piece of equipment being carried by one of the deck crew standing there.

Of the three accidents mentioned in post #16, it is unlikely to be any of those. The 7 June 52 accident happened on the airfield at Culdrose when the stbd wing folded on take off and the aircraft, VW710, rolled and skidded upside down along the runway.

The incident involving VW711 on 31 March 52 occurred when the aircraft was en route from Vengance to Lee. Engine trouble meant the aircraft force landed. I cannot find a location but would think it unlikely to be the aircraft in the OP’s photo.

The last accident referred to involving VW718, happened near Crail airfield. The aircraft had been practicing RP attacks on the airfield when it came down a short distance to the NNW of the field.

Several other Sea Furies had barrier engagements. Those were:

VW713, serving with 807 NAS aboard HMS Theseus. On 23 March 51, suffered partial engine failure, and caught No.9 wire in an emergency landing with the prop going into the barrier. I believe the ship was at that time in Far Eastern waters.

. . . 713 is a possible - it also appears to have been "struck off charge" on 30-4-51. HMS Theseus was escorted by two C-class destroyers in Korea - HMS Consort & HMS Comus . . . the destroyer in background could be one of these two! But '1951' is a long time since the July 1950 'incident' after which 'invasion stripes' were supposed to hv been painted on [see my prev post!]

[DogTailRed2]

Was there a reason why sripe colour changed from white, black to yellow,black?

[Warmtoast]

A bit of thread creep, but I was stationed at Biggin Hill in 1954 when the station hosted the annual ROC "Recognition Day". Among the visitors was this Sea Fury the only one I ever saw close up. ISTR the large 'C' on its tail indicated it was based at RN airfield at Culham not far from Abingdon.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/556x400/rn_culham_based_sea_fury_2__d84be98158c6987bb6c7c886cd266881 55025e11.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/600x353/rn_culham_based_sea_fury_2_1__1695a1fb3edb7818bda219c4df2402 175fc6b9ab.jpg

[DogTailRed2]

Always remember Biggin Hill Air Fair in the 70's and 80's watching a certain Royal Navy Sea Fury doing low level hesitation rolls.

[POBJOY]

I well remember seeing a Sea Fury land at one of the Air Fairs and folding its wings soon after touchdown with some speed on, Looked great.

[sycamore]

That would have been the incomparable Pete Sheppard...

[Haraka]

I recall also watching the RNHF Sea Fury suffer a ground loop and u/c collapse at Yeovilton in 1974. (Tail wheel lock not engaged IIRC).

( BTW apparently not all Invasion stripes during the 1956 Suez Crisis were Yellow and Black.. Due to local paint shortages some were White and Black)

[The late XV105]

Thanks to lauriebe and Fournierf5's excellent additional insight and deductions and consequently enabled further searching that I have done, I agree that it is most likely 713 on Theseus, "invasion" stripes or not. Just a shame I can't find a clear picture of the deck to show "500" painted in precise proximity to the line. It is unlikely that another carrier would have had truly identical paint.

[longer ron]

I well remember seeing a Sea Fury land at one of the Air Fairs and folding its wings soon after touchdown with some speed on, Looked great.

Not sure if same year Pobjoy but I took this pic at Biggin 1979,a/c on rwy - photo taken from the ORP.

https://i.imgur.com/dgKjpUh.jpg

[Warmtoast]

Not sure if same year Pobjoy but I took this pic at Biggin 1979,a/c on rwy - photo taken from the ORP.

https://i.imgur.com/dgKjpUh.jpg

"M" on the tail represents Merryfield I assume?

[Fargo Boyle]

"M" on the tail represents Merryfield I assume?
VX302 was built as a T.20, and then exported to Germany as a target tug. It was one of the a/c imported by Doug Arnold and eventually returned to Germany where it is being restored to it's target tug markings by Air Fighter Academy at Bremgarten
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1200x583/vx302_76904e77ff81ea8e8e021b04ce9473a5b527c658.jpg

[exlatccatsa]

Thanks forcall the replies. Sorry I've been a bit quiet, trying to stop buildings blowing away after Saturdays gale.
All the information is much appreciated , although I'm still no closer to finding out how the photo got into mums collection. The maritime history of our family mum had traced back to Napoleon being exiled to Elba, Scott and Shackleton, through to the search for the North West passage and of course the whaling, North and South, before and after the wars. But there's nothing I can find about carrier ops. I can only surmise that it must have been a friend and not relative who sent the photo. But its great to have all the information and it will go on the back of the photo further future generations.
Thanks again.

[treadigraph]

Somewhere I have a photo I took of VX302 being run up outside Doug Arnold's hangar at Blackbushe as N613RD (?) in about 1985 just before it headed Stateside. Mystery is how I came to be there without being told to "go away"...

First saw TF956 being displayed at Greenham Common in 1976, assume Pete Sheppard was at the helm in those days...

[VictorGolf]

"Go away" treadi, you were lucky. More normally it was "F*****t O***r" I seem to recall. Never did make it in to the hangar.

[treadigraph]

I did get one look round the hangar in September '78 and saw the Griffon Spits still partially entombed in wooden crates I think - summat like "the boss isn't here but be as quick as you can in case he returns unexpectedly..."

[Fargo Boyle]

Yes, Doug's Rolls Royce was always prowling around airside... those were heady days spotting at Blackbushe in the 80's, there was always something exotic parked up there. Sea Fury's, Ju52's, Mosquito, Comet, CASA 2111's, etc etc (apologies for thread drift).

[goofer3]

Re Sea Fury VW713. 23.3.1951. HMS Theseus off Korea. Emergency deck landing after partial engine failure; entered safety barrier.

[treadigraph]

continued drift... Yep, Jeff Hawke's Hanover Street B-25s were there amongst various WoGB heavies on the southern side on that occasion. Farnborough Week, well worth a cycle up from North Camp before attending the afternoon display!

[BEagle]

"M" on the tail represents Merryfield I assume?

Nope. By the time the RN took over RAF Merryfield, all Sea Furies were out of service....

...sadly. We'd had some Wyverns (Wastelands) during RAF days, plus some Sabres (Wastelands again). But in RN times, we only had the ocasional Sea Hawks and Gannets, but mostly Sea Venoms and the odd Meteor TT. Although I did once see a Dominie sitting on the grass near the Wastelands hangar.

At various times there were other interesting aeroplanes there too - a Welkin, Hamilcar X and the deflected jet Meteor...

How I wish I'd had a camera!

[DaveReidUK]

"M" on the tail represents Merryfield I assume?

The aircraft was owned by Mike Stow at the time the photo was taken, so maybe just a vanity code ?

[treadigraph]

Interesting - photographic evidence (https://www.google.com/search?q=VX302+sea+fury&rlz=1C1CHBF_en-GBGB919GB919&sxsrf=APq-WBvK1Km1pAiVyaFUSchuXrnuuZYXDw:1643749763511&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiJnYOGtd_1AhVVilwKHVzSDKwQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1920&bih=902&dpr=1#imgrc=YEEHpn2ctcGuuM) shows that at various points during Doug Arnold's, Mike Stow's? and Rick Drury's custodianship, VX302 sported a single seat canopy. Could the rear turtle deck be easily swapped to cover in the rear cockpit?