Firefly Manuals

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:48 pm

I am looking for any and all manuals for a Firefly Mk IV for a restoration that is going on in Carson City. I would gladly pay to have you make copies for me. Also an overhaul manual for the Griffon 74. I'm not personally working on the project but I've known one of the mechanics for about 10 years and he's asked me to be the designated scrounger.

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:57 pm

Have you tried Capt. Eddie Kurdziel sp?? He is sort of the chief of the big Faireys. I think he has the only flying one in the US, based near San Diego. I don't know the model or the engine model.

noizeedave · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 9:13 pm

Capt Eddie's the man, definitey
go here to get an email address http://www.faireyfirefly.com

n5151ts · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:06 pm

...thats the kind of moniker that will stick to a guy!

noizeedave · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:16 pm

Kingman 07'

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:59 pm

thanks guys. I sent him an e-mail.

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:21 am

Further resources...

The Fleet Air Arm Museum archive would be worth contacting if you don't get what you want in the US, likewise the Royal Navy Historic Flight (who used to operate a Mk.IV) might be able to help.

http://www.fleetairarm.com/learningindex.htm

http://www.royalnavyhistoricflight.org.uk/home/

The Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight at Nowra and the Canadian Warplane Heritage also operate/d Mk.IV Fireflies

http://www.navy.gov.au/faam/

http://www.warplane.com/

Mark_Pilkington · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:30 am

Chris,

There seems to be only one acknowledged Firefly mark IV surviving, that being VH127 on static display at the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum, are you sure the aircraft you refer to isnt one of the two non-flying former RAN AS/TT Mark 6 Fireflies now in the US?

They are:

WD840 (with ARM Aviation?) AS/TT Mark 6
The famous Bob Diemert 8 seater firefly fitted with a Merlin and cowl from a York which created a mark I? appearance with its deep chin cowl.

WD833 (with AMJET Services?) AS/TT Mark 6
former Willy Roberts/Nick Grace/Wilkins/Shroeder well travelled example

None of the current or former flying examples listed above by JDK were mark IV Fireflies? they were all former RAN AS/TT(Antisubmarine or target tow) mark 5 or mark 6 Fireflies, as are all of the other static survivors in Australia.

There is also a mark 1 at the RNFAA Museum formerly at Duxford, along with four other mark 1 aircraft ex Ethiopia and Sweden?

I suspect your aircraft is a former RAN Firefly and therefore Captain Eddie (owner of ex RAN Mark 6 WB518) would be the best source of technical information/spares/expertise to support an airworthy restoration, particularly if it is to be based in the USA.

If it really is a Mark IV it would seem to be a previously unknown example?, however I would still recommend Captain Eddie as the first port of call.

Regards

Mark Pilkington

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 5:58 am

Mark_Pilkington wrote:

None of the current or former flying examples listed above by JDK were mark IV Fireflies?

Sorry, Mark's quite right - brain fade...

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:35 am

Quote:

He is sort of the chief of the big Faireys

Michel Lemieux · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:49 am

big Faireys Jack...not big fairies :lol:

Ryan Keough · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:36 am

Michel Lemieux wrote:

big Faireys Jack...not big fairies :lol:

To quote Seinfeld "Not that there's anything wrong with that..."

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:55 am

Ryan Keough wrote:

Michel Lemieux wrote:

big Faireys Jack...not big fairies :lol:

To quote Seinfeld "Not that there's anything wrong with that..."

I prefer what the expendable crew man from Galaxy Quest said, " oh,.... That's not right"

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