"Sawbones" a WWII-era Hawker Sea Fury fighter airplane located in Blane, Minnesota at Janes Field, Anoka County-Blane airport.
N71GB was originally brought over from Iraq by Talichet and Jurist in the 1980's. The fuselage was "used" but the wings and tail section were "new" according to logbooks. The aircraft was originally an FB-11, but has the slightly larger MK-20 horizontal stabilizer and was built up by George Baker who retained it as his personal airshow aircraft calling it "Sky Fury".
As were most of these aircraft from Iraq, the original Bristol-Centaurus engine was removed and replaced with the Wright "Cyclone" R-3350-26, basically a Skyraider engine. The aircraft passed through several owners and has been raced at Reno several times. It is a competitive aircraft taking second place in the unlimited silver when last raced in 2009. The oil cooling system has been reworked by Nelson Ezell.
The fuel system on N71GB has been simplified to incorporate one large newly installed fuselage tank of 140 gallons and only one reserve integral wing tank. Two 90 gallon drop tanks can be used for longer range flights. The other wing tanks have been converted to spray bar cooling water on the left side, and ADI fluid on the right. The instrument panel has been modernized with recent digital nav/coms, GPS, HSI, fuel flow meter and other safety features.
Reno Air Races 2017
Reviews, get directions and information Sawbones Air.
