Today’s Top AircraftForSale Pick: 1951 Hawker Sea Fury ‘Furias’

Well-known Reno racer was a runner-up to ‘Dreadnaught’ in the 1986 Gold race.

Pilots who are interested in Unlimited Class competition have a chance to own a Hawker Sea Fury with a Reno air race history.
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The article highlights a 1951 Hawker Sea Fury Mk II named "Furias" as "Today's Top Pick" for sale.
  • This aircraft is a notable, modified former Reno Air Races competitor, having placed second in 1986 and sustaining damage in 2012.
  • "Furias" features a powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360 "Wasp Major" engine, several racing modifications, and modern avionics.
  • Available for $375,000, the aircraft is seeking a new owner to restore it or return it to competition, appealing to warbird and racing enthusiasts.
See a mistake? Contact us.

Each day, the team at Aircraft For Sale picks an aircraft that catches our attention because it is unique, represents a good deal, or has other interesting qualities. You can read Aircraft For Sale: Today’s Top Pick at FLYINGMag.com daily.

Today’s Top Pick is a 1951 Hawker Sea Fury Mk II

With the final running of the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, coming up September 13-17, it seems like a good time to point out a longtime Reno racer that is on the market.

Furias, campaigned by veteran race pilot Lloyd Hamilton during the 1980s, was a fixture at Reno for many years and finished second in the 1986 Gold race. After posting the top qualifying time during the 2012 Reno races, the aircraft sustained damage when its landing gear collapsed and it skidded off the runway. Furias is looking for a new owner to get it back into the air and back to competition.

Originally flown by the Royal Australian Navy, the aircraft was imported into the U.S. during the 1970s. Sea Furies were advanced piston-engine fighters that arrived too late for World War II but have been popular as modified air racers. Early on, Furias traded its original Bristol radial engine for a Pratt & Whitney R-4360, known as the Wasp Major. With four rows of cylinders, the engine also earned the nickname “corn cob.”

This Sea Fury has several racing modifications, including anti-detonation injection, or ADI, a boil-off oil cooling system, and telemetry. Its panel includes a Garmin GPS, transponder and an oxygen system.

Aircraft enthusiasts interested in racing, historic aircraft, warbirds, or classic restoration should take a look at this unique machine, which is available for $375,000 on AircraftForSale.

You can arrange financing of the airplane through FLYING Financial Group. For more information, email info@flyingfinancial.com.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE