History and Introduction
The nascent country of Pakistan started off on the back foot in terms of its military strength. Gaining independence in 1947, the majority of its military equipment came from British military spares and the division of assets – often worn and damaged – from the newly established British dominion of India.
The Airforce in particular was of great concern as there was little to defend such a large airspace. Hence, in keeping with diplomatic ties and what I can only assume to be a sense of familiarity, the Royal Pakistan Airforce acquired the second prototype of the Hawker ‘Fury’, designated NX802, in 1949.
This airframe was specifically trialled in a number of interesting configurations sporting Centaurus XII & even the XVIII engines at one point in its life (it was even used in the occaisional air race by Hawker). NX802 was armed, fitted with the Centaurus 18, painted in PAF colors and re-designated K857. During the delivery flight to Pakistan, pilot Neville Duke broke the London to Rome record by 19 minutes, landing at Rome 2 hours and 32 minutes after taking off from Heathrow airport.
Test pilot can be seen in the cockpit as he taxis out at Langley (May 12, 1949)
K857 seemed to impress the RPAF as in 1950, they placed an order for 50 Hawker Fury FB.60 aircraft. According to one source, it was K850, a dual seat trainer that was acquired which gave rise to the order for the FB.60, however it is likely that both aircraft were acquired, albeit at different times, since K850 was intended to serve as a trial for a trainer aircraft for the Tempests, since the RPAF pilots did not have any aircraft advanced enough to train on (Harvards were the only trainer aircraft in inventory at the time). There is some variance in the type of furies delivered and when the delievries started, but that is to be expected with such old records.
And just like Hawker intended, and as the United Kingdom applied to the RAF, the Hawker Tempests of the RPAF were replaced by the Hawker Fury. Soon after, in 1951-52, they placed a folowup order of 37 more FB.60s as well as 5 T.61 tandem seat trainer aircraft. In total, the RPAF operated 87 Fury FB.60s including 5 Sea Fury FB.11s (Ex-Fleet Air Arm)(later converted to the Fury standard), 5 Fury T.61 and 1 Fury Prototype NX802, making the RPAF the largest foreign Fury operator in the world (93 total).
While K857 remained with the K prefix alongside the dual seat trainers in a training role, its ‘Fury’ siblings received the LXXX designation scheme. The Fury FB.60 was a special non-navalised variant built for the RPAF. It did away with the heavy naval gear, instead using a lighter land based version. In most other aspects, it was identical to the FB.11. It also dropped the “Sea” in its name, as it was no longer rated for carrier operations.
The Hawker Fury the first multirole aircraft for the RPAF remained in service until 1956, and then with the PAF (post dominion) until its retirement in 1963, handing over its role in the defense of Pakistani skies to the venerable F-86 and CL-13 Sabres.
Interesting fact
An RPAF officer, inspired by the US “Blue Angels” Aerobatics team, created a similar team for the RPAF, initially training on tempests, they were outfitted with the Fury once deliveries started. Named “Red Dragons”, the team debuted its first performance in May 1951, consisting of both Pakistani and British pilots in the cockpits. It was not uncommon for demonstrations and airshows of the Fury to be held for British and even Royal Swedish Air Force guests to the RPAF. The Fury even won the Perry Keene Trophy with an RPAF pilot in 1949.
Specifications
Max speed: 740kmph @5.5km altitude
Max altitude: 10.9km
Engine: 1 х Bristol Centaurus 18
Power: 2,480hp
WingSpan: 11.7m
Length: 10.6m
Height: 4.83m
Empty weight: 4.191t
Max TO weight: 6.645t
Sources
- http://www.pafsqk.yolasite.com/fury.php
- Hawker Sea Fury in Pakistani Service - Destination's Journey
- Aviation Historian 1
- Fabulous Fury A Nimble Fighter of RPAF – Second To None
- https://heritage.baesystems.com/page/hawker-fury-and-sea-fury
- Hawker Sea Fury - Wikipedia
- List of Air Ministry specifications - Wikipedia
- https://www.airvectors.net/avcfury.html
- https://www.unlimitedair.com/Hawker_Sea_Fury_History.htm
- Allied Aircraft Piston engines of WWII
- British Piston Aero-Engines and Their Aircraft
- Hawker Sea Fury (Kev Darling)
- Hawker Typhoon, Tempest and Sea Fury (Kev Darling)
- Yes
- No