Dates

Event

Constructed as a Sea Fury FB.11.

21 August 1951

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Royal Canadian Navy with s/n WG567.

8 February 1957

Struck off Strength/Charge from the Royal Canadian Navy.

From 1961 to 1965

To Robert P. Vanderveken, Pierrefords, QC with new c/r CF-VAN.
Flown in a red and gold paint scheme.

1965

Photographer: Mr.Lowry / San Diego Air and Space Museum Archive

From 1965 to 1969

To Michael D. Carroll, Long Beach, CA with new c/r N878M.

1965

Ferry flight.
Delivered from Montreal to Long Beach.

From 11 November 1965 to 14 November 1965

Raced as #87.
The race was from Saint Petersburg, FL to Palm Springs, CA, 2,037.9 miles. Competed at the Palm Springs International Aeroclassic in the Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Mike Carroll. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 305.685 mph. Delayed for 40 minutes in San Angelo, TX, while restarting the engine.

1966

Markings Applied: 87, Signal Sea Fury
First appeared at Reno Races.

From 21 September 1966 to 26 September 1966

Raced as #87, named SIGNAL SEA FURY.
This was the first time that a Sea Fury had ever participated in a pylon event. The aircraft had previously been flown in cross country events with racing modifications. The wing span had been reduced to 32 feet. Internal fuel cells were installed along with a low profile canopy. Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Lyle Shelton. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 364.08 mph. Did not start in Heat B. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 353.89 mph.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Lyle Shelton was the pilot of Mike Carrolls Signal Sea Fury in 1966 at Reno.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: An engine run up for Mike Carrolls Sea Fury at Reno in 1966. It appears that Lyle Shelton is in the cockpit.

Circa 21 September 1966

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field, near Reno, NV.

From 3 June 1967 to 4 June 1967

Raced as #87, named SIGNAL SEA FURY.
It is unclear if this was an actual race, or just a demonstration event. Appeared at the Pomona Valley International Air Races and Air Show, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Mike Carroll.

From 2 September 1967 to 4 September 1967

Raced as #87, named SIGNAL SEA FURY.
Fitted with a wet wing holding 600+ gallons. The race was from Palm Springs, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Mike Carroll. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 386 mph.

Circa 20 September 1967

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: Unlimited Ramp at 1967 Reno Air Races.

Circa 20 September 1967

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

From 21 September 1967 to 21 September 1967

Raced as #87, named SIGNAL SEA FURY.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Harolds Club Transcontinental race. The primary pilot was Mike Carroll. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 418.22 mph.

24 September 1967

Photographer: Robert F. Pauley
Notes: A beautiful Bob Pauley photo of MIke Carrolls Harolds Club winning Sea Fury at the 1967 Reno Air Races.

From 1969 to 1972

To Sherman Cooper, Merced, CA keeping c/r N878M.

From 13 September 1970 to 20 September 1970

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 355.40 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 324.55 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 361.80 mph.

Circa 13 September 1970

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races.

By 13 November 1970

To unknown owner with c/r N878M.

From 13 November 1970 to 15 November 1970

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
The extra fuel capacity of this modified Sea Fury made it ideal for the California 1000. Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Qualified in 2nd place with an average speed of 325.92 mph. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 325.92 mph. Flew non-stop.

Modified at Long Beach, CA, for racing with clipped wings and a bubble canopy.

From 29 May 1971 to 29 May 1971

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
The race was from Milwaukee Mitchell Municipal Airport to Civic Memorial Airport, to East Alton, IL (309 miles). Competed at the Alton P-51 Tournament in the XCountry class. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 353.5 mph.

From 30 May 1971 to 31 May 1971

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
Competed at the Alton P-51 Tournament in the Thirty Second Climb competition. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 5th place. Attained an altitude of 774 feet in 30 seconds.

From 30 May 1971 to 31 May 1971

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
Competed at the Alton P-51 Tournament in the Measured Mile. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 345.6 mph.

From 17 July 1971 to 17 July 1971

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
Competed in the U. S. Cup Race event. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 330.1 mph. Finished the 100 laps first to win.

From 21 September 1971 to 26 September 1971

Raced as #87.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Qualified in 7th place with an average speed of 397.75 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 390.70 mph. Raced in the Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 412.58 mph.

Circa 21 September 1971

Photographer: William Kerchenfaut Collection
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 21 September 1971

Photographer: William Kerchenfaut Collection
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 21 September 1971

Photographer: William Kerchenfaut Collection
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

13 November 1971

Involved in an incident.
Nosed over during forced landing after engine failure near Mojave, CA.

From 13 November 1971 to 13 November 1971

Raced as #87.
Appeared at the California 1000 Air Races, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper. Maydayed on a test flight, and belly landed on a dirt road. The cause was found to be insufficient warming of the engine before flight.

To Frank C. Sanders, Chino, CA.
Acquired the crash wreck.

From 12 September 1972 to 17 September 1972

Raced as #87.
Appeared at the National Championship Air Races to compete in the Unlimited class, but did not qualify. The primary pilot was Sherman Cooper.

From January 1976 to 1999

To James A. Mott, South Gate, CA keeping c/r N878M.

From 1984 to 1988

Repaired.
At Chino.

After 1989

Photographer: Charlene Aro

From 11 September 1989 to 17 September 1989

Raced as #42, named Super Chief.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was James A Mott. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 404.653 mph.

Circa 11 September 1989

Photographer: Timothy Weinschenker
Notes: 1989 was the first year that Jim Mott came to Reno in the restored former Mike Carroll/Sherm Cooper Sea Fury. Renamed Super Chief Mott and company would have a rough debut year as engine trouble would keep him and the airplane out of competition that year.

12 September 1989

Photographer: Jim Weiherer

22 September 1989

Photographer: Tom Tessier
Notes: At Sanders Aviation, Chino Airport, CA

From 11 August 1990 to 12 August 1990

Raced as #42, named Super Chief.
Was to have competed at the Colorado National Air Races, but did not arrive. The primary pilot was to be James A Mott.

From 17 September 1990 to 23 September 1990

Raced as #42, named Super Chief.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was James A Mott. Qualified in 21st place with an average speed of 365.161 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 337.605 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 341.807 mph. Did not start in Heat 3. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 319.956 mph.

From 14 September 1992 to 20 September 1992

Raced as #42, named Super Chief.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was James A Mott. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 348.915 mph. Raced in Heat 1C. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 358.156 mph. Raced in Heat 2D. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 339.687 mph. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 8th place with an average speed of 342.413 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 327.592 mph.

From 24 March 1999 to 2002

To J and S Aviation/Steve Bolander and Jim Michaels, Oconomowoc, WI keeping c/r N878M.

Transported by ground.
Trucked from Chino, CA to Ione, CA.

Modified for racing with the installation of a Wright R-3350.

March 2000

First flight.
Flown at Ione, CA.

19 July 2000

Certificate of airworthiness for NX878M (MK 11 SEA FURY, 41-H/636294) issued.

From 11 September 2000 to 17 September 2000

Raced as #87, named Miss Merced.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Jim Michaels from Dousman, WI. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 397.751 mph. Raced in Heat 1B. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 385.459 mph. Did not start in Heat 2D. Raced in Heat 3. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 371.879 mph. Raced in the Medallion 2 race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 388.403 mph.

Circa 11 September 2000

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Champsionship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 11 September 2000

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Champsionship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

Circa 11 September 2000

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Champsionship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

21 July 2003

To Eric D. Woelbing, Franksville, WI keeping c/r N878M.

29 March 2007

Photographer: David Miller
Notes: Photo at Oshkosh, WI

Based at Chuck Greenhill Private Collection, Kenosha Regional Airport, Milwaukee, WI.
View the Location Dossier

Markings Applied: 87

27 February 2018

To unknown owner with c/r N878M.
Registration pending to a new owner in Franksville, WI.

14 March 2018

To Woelbing Aviation Llc, Franksville, WI keeping c/r N878M.