Warbird Information Exchange

I've been going through some old video I have and found this one of Ellsworth Getchell's Sea Fury and decided to transfer some to the computer.

The video is from 1980 during a bunch of engine test runs, taxi tests, and test flights. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2F7mD--W7oM

Chris

According to the registry Getchell has owned this plane since 1975. Was it not airworthy when he bought it, and your video shows the first flight after restoration, or what is the story on this one? By the way, great video. Things like these are priceless. Thanks for sharing it!

T J

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Make my day, punk!

Correct, it wasn't airworthy when he got it. I'm not sure if this is the actualy first flight of the airplane. This video, along with a bunch of others was passed along from a friend and the taped was labeled "Getchell's test flights."

Chris

I realize this is an OLD post but I just have never found much about Getch's Fury on the web and I saw this so I thought I'd say hi and tell my little story about this beautiful plane I got to help with one day if anyone is still listening to this post.

I was fortunate enough to have stumbled into helping Getch prep this plane for flight one year at the airport in Pasco, WA. I went down to take some photos of the planes and I got to talking to one of the volunteers and we hit it off and he told me there was a guy that could use some help on his plane if I wanted too and of course I said, "Yes!" It turned out to be Getch and his Sea Fury! What an honor! He was a really neat guy and that's something I'll never forget. What fun it was to help roll the engine over and push it out to the line! Yes, he bought the plane and had to completely go through it. He was an airline pilot if I remember correctly.

Man! that Centaurus sure sounds sweet.
Welcome to WIX uneasyrider.
I'm sorry to say I don't know the current state of this machine, or Mr Ellsworth Getchell.
I do, however know, that someone here on WIX does know, and will no doubt be along shortly with the answers.

Andy Scott

Getch last flew the Sea Fury in early 2013. He has been chasing an oil leak and will probably end up taking the engine off the airplane to swap out the supercharger.

He's currently 79 and still the same old Getch...

This was from one of his flights in late 2012:

Glad to hear it Chris.
Thanks for the update.
That is one fantastic photo! Thanks for posting that.

I seem to recall hearing that rebuilds his own engines. I doubt anyone knows more about operating a Centaurus than this man.

Andy

2nd the saweet pix Chris...

+1 , that is one of the best Sea Fury photos i have seen!, wow just fantastic !!

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"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"

Cool video Chris, thanks for posting, don't recall seeing this one before. I like the camera vehicle racing down the taxi way to get the takeoff shot. Good luck doing that today.

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Roger Cain
www.sfahistory.org
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Stearman/


We must limit politicians to two terms:
one in office and one in jail.

Where is this aircraft now? It seems to have been deregistered with the FAA. I'm guessing it went to Europe?

AFAIK it hasn’t gone anywhere. The registration has simply lapsed. Getch is getting up there in years and has been in a home for a while I understand. A real character, I wish him the best.

Thanks Mike. I have talked to him as well a few times. Great guy!

Was an air racer in the early Reno years.

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remember the Oogahonk!
old school enthusiast of Civiltary Warbirds and Air Racers

I know it isn't stock but I have always loved the look of the lower rudder fairing on Getchel's airplane. Finishes out the rudder shape quite nicely and even better than the unit put on the de-navalized Fury in my opinion. I do prefer the yellow spinner though! Hope it continues to fly, and with the Centaurus, into the future.