Very nice Doug...very nice

The Grumman Avenger always brings back memories.
I had two very good rides in one as a passenger prior to the aircraft being sold to be refitted as a water bomber.

Behind the pilot is armour plating, there is a small hole which you can barely push a cup of coffee through to the pilot from the rear.  The only way into the cockpit is through the pilots opened canopy.  She is one heavy bird.
This particular day several years after I had my rides one ran off the runway onto the grass and flipped over.
The front of the aircraft up to the cockpit was buried under the wet grass...no way to get  the pilot out...the little airport had a jeep with several 5lb fire extinguishers for fires...when she started to smoke and flamed around the engine, the extinguishers were used but were ineffective...there was no crane and very little help available...the pilot told everyone to leave, to get away from the aircraft, she blew, unbeknown one of the men on the fire extinguisher was a brother to the pilot, he did not find out till later. 
I was also present when another Grumman product, "A Tracker" crashed near RCAF Station Downsview in the 60s, everyone was lost even though I understood they were given the order to bail out.
Given a chance if I could get checked out in an Avenger would I fly it...your dam right I would.

Thanks for posting that Doug and sorry to get so danged winded

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

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I believe it may just be for ballnce purposes bacase of the longer nose, as the puffer jets need to be further rear as they are further forward in the nose.

Nice to see the Sea Fury in the air again...

Charlie

Thanks for the comments chaps. These photos are not my best efforts by a long chalk. I enjoyed the show but had a disastrous day with the camera. If I'd known then what I've since discovered by experimenting with the brightness settings I would probably have done better. (Tempest please note.) This photography lark is all a matter of experience & knowing your equipment, not to mention a little good luck.

Let's hope it's fine for Duxford next weekend. According to the latest list the Bucker Jungmann, Jungmeister & ...... wait for it ...... the  Sea Hawk will be there.

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Thanks Charlie, that makes sense.

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This was the first public appearance of the Sea Fury & Sea Hawk for several years. Both flew for the first time only 2 weeks before this display. It was the first time I'd seen that Avenger.

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Duly noted Hagar old chap. I had a bit of trouble with light levels on some of the shots I took in France and playing with settings produced some good and some bad shots. Hope I get it right next weekend, weather permitting.

I so hope the Sea Hawk turns up. No Sea Fury though?

Ooo, I love #2! Cant get enogh of vintage planes.

Doug I can't believe what an amazing season you've had with the airshows and photography. You must have been keeping the horseshoe in your camera bag every time you left the house

Mark