Striking image of the Hawker Sea Fury “NAVY 36” with propeller in motion, captured on the ground in vivid blue livery. One of the fastest piston-engine fighters ever built, this aircraft served with the Royal Navy in the late 1940s and 1950s. Photo by Stuart H Bourne © Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International.
This vivid archival print captures the Hawker Sea Fury “NAVY 36” on the ground, engine running, with its propeller blurred in motion. Painted in deep blue with a red nose cone and bold “NAVY” markings, this aircraft exemplifies postwar British aviation engineering. The Sea Fury was one of the fastest piston-engine fighters ever built, bridging the transition between propeller-driven and jet-powered combat aircraft.
Developed for the Royal Navy and introduced in 1947, the Sea Fury saw combat during the Korean War and served with distinction across multiple naval squadrons. Its Bristol Centaurus radial engine and sleek airframe made it a formidable presence in both combat and airshows.
This particular aircraft, registered as G-CBEL, was originally built for the Iraqi Air Force and later restored for civilian flight. It previously flew in the U.S. as N36SF before being transferred to the UK. Now privately owned, it continues to fly in historic displays, preserving the legacy of British naval aviation.
Photographer Credit: Photograph by Stuart H Bourne All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Copyright Notice: © Stuart H Bourne / Quality Aviation Photos International. Image and description protected under international copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited
