3 Commando Brigade

Sea Fury crash landing - One for APOLLO.

I've seen that one flying at Goodwood... Hope they get it sorted !!

My kind of landing...I told you that's how it's done.

But seriously, that's OH NO! and WELL DONE! in quick succession.
Followed by "Don't worry, it should buff out".

This will no doubt re-ignite the calls for historic warbirds to not do aerobatic displays. Let's hope they can fix it up and get it flying again soon.

Another (much less professional) video here, but it shows how well the pilot did to get round onto short finals after what looked like engine failure. If he'd been unable to make the runway I shudder to think what would have happened - too low to parachute - any golf courses nearby?



Culdrose was one of the first airshows I went to, back in the late 70's. The thrill of seeing and HEARING these aircraft never leaves you.

Been to a stack of airshows at Culdrose, from the age of 3, sitting right under the jet wash,  Use to be a great place to get real close to the planes, as a kid.  I remember being scared witless by the Sea Vixens on final approach.  For those that remember those.

Real shame about the fury,  That use to do a triple act with a sea fire and a sea hawk.  Have seen neither of those fly for years,  I hope they get the Fury back in the air soon, has a great sounding engine

My guess...
Because the landing gear is powered by hydraulics? The hydraulic pump gets it's power from the engine. The engine was toast.
It looks like he dropped the gear at the last moment so he didn't create undue drag for the dead stick landing - better to land no wheels, than land short.
The wheels dropped under gravity, but without the hydraulic pump they didn't lock.
So I think you're being a bit harsh on the pilot, given the circumstances.

Quoted from Wikipedia

"The hydraulic system, necessary to operate the retractable undercarriage, tail hook, and flaps, was pressurised to 1,800 psi by an
engine-driven pump. If this failed a hand pump in the cockpit could also power these systems, a pneumatic pump was also driven by the engine for the brakes"

I think after his engine failed being flash was the last thing on his mind

Also

http://www.fnht.co.uk/exemplary-airmanship-saves-sea-fury.html

if hydraulics are effed, such gears normally have a 'manual' or emergency system, sometimes hand pump or even free fall as seems to be the case here.  Notice how they fail to 'lock' into position and sort of just fall down as if a catch were released.

What a guy too