A belly landing was impossible, because the lowered wheel wouldn’t retract!
Putting 956 in the sea was the best option, and followed the recommendation in the pilots notes.

TF956 was lost over 15 years ago now, hard to believe.
It seems like yesterday that it, and Fury T20 WG655 were pounding the Yeovilton circuit. Happy Days 🙂

Oh i see, that really is harsh. Such a damn shame. I was never lucky or old enough to see those two Sea Furies. The first time i ever saw a flying example was VR930 at DX Legends 2001 and was hooked by the whining roar of the Centaurus! Then such a wait to see one again after the sleeve valve failure… Of course i was over the moon when i heard of her return to the circuit mid last year and promptly attended Biggin Hill to re-acquaint myself with such a beautiful aircraft. Ahhhh… roll on the airshow season!

The one with only one wheel down was the RNHF’s TF956,and no it didn’t end well. Having flown around for hours attempting to lower the other leg by all the means he could think of (including some touch and goes as seen in the photo),the pilot finally elected to point the aircraft out to sea and bail out. It was felt that a single-leg landing would’ve been more dangerous,hence the decision to bail out.

It really was quite unfortunate. This is the first time i’ve seen any photographs of TF956’s last flight. I should imagine a belly landing was also disregarded aswell? Suirely it would seem a more viable prospect than a single-leg landing. Less chance of ground looping and as warbirds go, the Sea Fury has a relatively smooth undersurface (although one could argure the dangers of belly landing such a heavy aircraft). Seems such a shame. Was pointing it out to sea really the best option? Of course Pilot safety is paramount and i’m sure everything was done that could have been done to try and save this aircraft – but to no avail. 🙁 🙁

Its the voices you see…..

tara

TT

Question is, who is Tara? 😀 😀 😀 😀