The rebuild of the Hawker Sea Fury, which suffered engine failure at last year’s Air Day at RNAS Culdrose, is progressing well at North Weald and subject to fundraising and finding engine spares the Fly Navy Heritage Trust is working to get her in the air again in 2016.

“The structural repairs to the airframe have been completed and the aircraft is now being reassembled,” said Lieutenant Commander Chris Götke AFC Royal Navy, the pilot who was at the controls when the aircraft loss power during a display manoeuvre, forcing him to make a dramatic emergency landing. “The tailplane, rudder and elevators are back on and the wing repairs are also well in hand. It’s good to see it all coming together again.”

Despite the loss of engine power, Chris made a skilful and gentle touchdown ensuring minimal damage to the aircraft. Although the landing gear folded, and the aircraft collapsed onto its undercarriage, only a wing tip and the propeller blades were damaged. The fuselage suffered only minor abrasion. Replacement propeller blades have been obtained and repairs to the wing tip have been carried out.

The AAIB report published earlier this month, concluded that the exact cause of the engine failure is still unknown and that forensic investigation is still ongoing.

“The internal damage to the engine was extensive,” said Chris. “The carnage inside was pretty unbelievable really, and it is amazing that the engine continued running for as long as it did. Weald Aviation Services could not have given us greater support. The core of a replacement Centaurus Mk 18 engine was purchased as soon as possible and the engine rebuild, is also now underway.”

Tim Manna, a trustee of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, said: “The search to find the right replacement engine, with the right provenance, configuration and documentation was quite a challenge. Only 2,500 Centaurus Mk 18 engines were built and the authenticity of the replacement engine was extremely important to keep the integrity of this beautiful historic naval aircraft. We found a core and all the necessary components in the United States and had them shipped to the UK last month.

“Everything is now being checked for serviceability and we expect the rebuild of the engine to take between six to nine months. There is a really good team working on it, and we have had great co-operation from McLarens, the insurers, so all being well - even though there is always an element of unpredictability with these rare historic aircraft - there is a very good chance that she will be flying again next year.”

Built in the early 1940’s, the Centaurus Mk 18 was the ultimate development of the Bristol Aeroplane Company’s series of sleeve valve engines and it was this 2,500 horse power engine that made the Sea Fury one of the fastest high performance piston-engine fighters ever built.

The aircraft was fully insured but insurance of these historic aircraft only covers damage as a result of the failure, not in this case the engine itself. The cost of rebuilding the complex 18-cylinder engine together with some corrosion repair to the airframe is expected to be in the region of £200,000 and the Trust, which relies largely on public donations, still needs to raise £85,000 to reach the target. To help get the Fury back in the skies again donations are invited to the Fly Navy Heritage Trust, RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset BA22 8HW or donate online at www.fnht.co.uk Sea Fury Appeal, where you can follow our progress in getting her airborne again.