Page 110 - Demo

108engine has to be managed carefully but, in truth, the Sea Fury is a gentleman%u2019s aeroplane and, notwithstanding normal prudence on the ground, it is beautiful to fly. After take-off, reducing the engine boost back to cruising power and setting the propeller into automatic, the Centaurus settled to a reassuring purr.She really is quick for a prop aircraft, and I am soon negotiating the gap between Luton and Stansted and setting track direct for Calais.And joy, unlike the 109, I can actually see where I am going, as the nose slopes away from the cockpit to the massive five-bladed prop.The Fury quickly eats up the miles to Calais, and then it is a left turn up the coast of France, through a bit of Belgium, and then I am weaving my way through the various airfields and restricted areas to the south east of Amsterdam. The weather stays fine and, for a while, a Dutch F16 fighter saddles up on my starboard side before, with a cheery wave, the pilot breaks away in hard turn, with reheat glowing and massive streamers coming off the wings %u2013 fond memories! An hour and a half out from Cranfield, I am calling Groningen/Eelde approach frequency and, a few minutes later, I am cleared for a runand-break to land on Runway 05. I say to Air Traffic that I would prefer 01, which is right into the fresh wind, but am advised that there is temporary work in progress. No problem, and with judicious aileron into wind and a %u2018wheel%u2019 landing rather than a %u2018three pointer%u2019, the Sea Fury runs out down the runway pretty straight, despite the crosswind. I am greeted by the Airport Manager, Fokker (yes, like the aircraft company), an old friend who quickly gets the message that I am pushed for time, and he sets about getting fuel bowsers and the like. Despite the efficiency of my turn-round, I am now going to be pushed to get to Warsaw, and I flight-plan to Poznan in East Poland %u2013 with an alternate of one of the many airfields to the north of Berlin.Once again, the Centaurus growls into life and, with a wave to my old friend, I am off. The wind is now starting to blow a hooligan from the north, so I once again ask if runway 01 is available. %u2018No sir!%u2019 comes the cheerful reply, from the man warm and snug in his centrally-heated ATC Tower, %u201cThe work party are still painting white lines.%u201dAh well, a careful take-off with not-excessive power on this long runway should not be a major problem........should it? And it wasn%u2019t.