Fairey Firefly AS.5 WB271

Fairey Firefly WB271 was built at Hayes, Middlesex. It was delivered to the Fleet Air Arm in June 1949 at RNAS Culham, where it was prepared for front-line service.
Issued to 814 NAS (Navy Air Squadron), based at RNAS Culdrose, WB271 remained in service for around 12 months. It was returned to Fairey for maintenance during 1950, and following this work, it was placed in store at Anthorn.

In 1951 the aircraft was prepared for a voyage to Asia as deck cargo, for possible use in the Korean War. It was shipped out, aboard HMS Warrior in November 1951, and it was re-assembled at Sembawang and placed in store. It did not see service in the conflict; instead it was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy in March 1953, and sailed to its new home aboard HMAS Sydney.

During its career with the Australians, WV271 served with 816 NAS, and in 1957 it was converted for target towing duties. Between 1959 and 1962 it saw service with 724NAS and 723NAS, both based at Nowra. Following its last tour it was placed in store.

In 1966, members of 814 NAS spotted WB271 in open storage at Nowra.
Upon realising its significance with their Unit and the value to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the aircraft was bought for £160, paid for by the company of HMS Victorious. The aircraft was brought 'home' in 1967 and was presented to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, where it was placed on display.

In 1972 the aircraft was surveyed, and it was found to be in very good condition, with a restoration to flight being very much possible.
With this in mind, a restoration programme was duly started, and the aircraft flew again in December 1972.
It was painted in Korean War Markings of a 812 NAS aircraft, wearing the code '204' and port code 'R'. During the late 1970's spares for the Firefly's original Griffin 74 were virtually unobtainable, and the Royal Navy reached a decision to exchange the engine for a modified Griffin 57, used in the RAF Shackleton fleet.

Following the 1996 Airshow season the RNHF grounded the Firefly, after an airshow carrier that spanned 24 continuous years.
It was to under-go a full rebuild to bring it back to 'new' condition at BAe Dunsfold. WB271 departed RNAS Yeovilton on 21st April 1997, and work progressed well at a steady pace, when BAE work commitments allowed, until Dunsfold was shut down in 2000.

During September 2000 WB271 was moved back to Yeovilton and work was continued by a team of 4 BAE-Systems employees on deployment from their normal factory. WB271 undertook her first ground runs at her home base in late February 2002 and initially all went exceptionally well. However persistent snags dogged the Firefly throughout 2002 and it was not until early 2003 that the aircraft was test flown.
It made its debut display at Yeovilton in May 2003 and was seen at several events including Biggin Hill and Kemble.

Tragically the aircraft crashed at the Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford on 12th July 2003, killing the two RNHF crew on board, RNHF CO Bill Murton and RNHF Firefly navigator Neil Rix.

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