Modified Sea Fury To Compete In 'Unlimited' Class

The 1949 Hawker Sea Fury based at the Anoka County Airport in Blaine, Minnesota will once again be participating in the Reno Air Races. The aircraft, now owned by Robin Crandall, will once again be flown by Ray Dieckman in the "Unlimited Class" at this year's National Championship Air Races in Reno Nevada. Air racing is known as the fastest motor sport on earth!

The plane was originally a British fighter/bomber.  It has been modified with a 3000 horsepower 18 cylinder Wright "Cyclone" radial engine. The aircraft can fly over 420mph in level flight and should be competitive in the unlimited class.  In 2008, "Sawbones" won 7th place in the Gold heat with an average course speed of 407.9 mph.

Owner Dr. Robin Crandall, is an orthopedic surgeon, which befits the aircraft name 'Sawbones'. Ray Dieckman, an experienced race pilot, will fly the aircraft to and from Reno NV as well as during the competition.  The ten member pit crew is made up of aircraft mechanics, a ground transport team and marketing and logistics members all in support of a safe operating aircraft and a successful race event.

According to the team website, the aircraft was originally an FB-11, but has the slightly larger MK-20 horizontal stabilizer and was built up by George Baker who retained it as his personal airshow aircraft calling it "Sky Fury".

The original Bristol-Centaurus engine was removed and replaced with the Wright "Cyclone" R-3350-26, basically a Skyraider engine.  The aircraft passed through several owners and has been raced at Reno several times. It is a competitive aircraft taking second place in the unlimited silver when last raced in 2005.  The oil cooling system has been reworked by Nelson Ezell.

Photo Courtesy Maximum Air Racing

The fuel system has been simplified to incorporate one large fuselage tank of 140 gallons and only one reserve integral wing tank.  Two 90 gallon drop tanks can be used for longer range flights. The other wing tanks have been converted to spray bar cooling water on the left side, and ADI fluid on the right.  The instrument panel has been modernized with recent digital nav/coms, GPS, HSI, fuel flowmeter and other safety features.

The Reno Air Races will be held September 16th to the 20th.

FMI: www.airrace.org