Hawker Fury replica now mounted in Trenton

Story and Photos by Gord McNulty,
CAHS Vice President
posted June 2024
Three-quarter scale replica Hawker Fury installed as part of the Homestead Adventure Park in Trenton.  May 19, 2024
Another view of the three-quarter scale replica of the Fury at Homestead Adventure Park in Trenton.
It was a real surprise when I recently saw none other than a 3/4-scale replica of a Hawker Fury displayed as part of a popular high rope climbing attraction in Trenton.

This attractive aircraft, readers may recall, was described in the September 2020 newsletter report outlining progress with its restoration by the Tiger Boys at Guelph.  Tiger Boys founder Tom Dietrich had hoped to restore the replica, previously owned by the Dart Aviation Museum in Mayville, New York, to flying condition.

Tom, sadly, passed away in 2021.  The Tiger Boys then concluded the project would be too great a challenge to completely restore.  Cam Harrod, a colleague of Tom and fellow vintage aircraft restorer, sold it on behalf of the Tiger Boys.
It’s a little Fury!
The aircraft’s location was unknown to me until I unexpectedly spotted it while on a walk during the RCAF Association Ontario Group convention in Trenton May 17-19.
Young climbers at the Homestead Adventure Park with the three-quarter scale replica Hawker Fury in Trenton on May 19, 2024.
Lo and behold, the nifty little biplane was mounted at the Homestead Adventure Park behind the convention hotel. Young climbers were having lots of fun on the ropes. It made for a good picture that was shown by Hamilton’s CHCH-TV as part of its “Your Weather” segment on the 6 p.m news.

The aircraft, which was to be powered by a 125 horsepower Lycoming engine, displays the distinctive gamecock badge of 43 (Fighter) Squadron, nicknamed “The Fighting Cocks.”  A “Lady in Red” emblem was added on the nose to match the red trim of the RAF colours.

In addition, the aircraft carries the name of Flight Lieutenant (later Group Captain) Peter Townsend, the legendary pilot who flew the Fury when he joined the RAF and began his illustrious career.
Click Here to return to the articles page.