The National Championship Air Races held annually in Reno, Nevada, is a spectacle unlike any other, often dubbed the “world’s fastest motorsport.” It is an event where history, speed, and aerial mastery come together to entertain and amaze audiences worldwide. Among the stars of this high-velocity event is a plane with an illustrious past and a legacy that continues to soar—the Hawker Sea Fury T.20, better known by its race number, #8 Dreadnought.
A product of British engineering, the Sea Fury was the Royal Navy’s last propeller-driven fighter and one of the fastest single piston-engined production aircraft ever built. Its agility and power have made it a formidable competitor in the Unlimited Class at the Reno Air Races, a category almost entirely composed of highly modified and stock World War II fighters.
The story of Dreadnought, an aircraft with serial number ES-9505, is steeped in history and triumph. This former Royal Navy and Burma Air Force aircraft was reborn as a racing icon thanks to the vision and skill of Frank C. Sanders, a renowned figure in the aviation restoration community. In 1983, the reborn Dreadnought first took to the skies over Reno, beginning its journey as a racing legend. Since its first race, Dreadnought has clinched first place in the Unlimited Gold race in 1983, 1986, 2018, and 2019. The aircraft’s competitive spirit is matched only by its remarkable reliability, earning it the affectionate nickname ‘The Buick’ among race enthusiasts.
The Sanders family, long-time owners of Sea Furys, envisioned the Dreadnought as the ultimate racer by pairing the Sea Fury airframe with the mightiest production piston-engine—the Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major. The result was a masterpiece of aviation engineering, with speeds that could exceed 500 mph and climb rates that could leave spectators in awe.
Signifying its place in history, MotoArt, a company known for turning aircraft history into art, has created PlaneTags from the original skins removed during the build-up and restoration of Dreadnought. These handmade aviation tags are authentic pieces of the aircraft, each bearing unique wear and tear—a testament to the aircraft’s storied past. These collectibles are not only a piece of aviation history but also embody the spirit of aerial racing and the roar of the Sea Fury’s powerful engines.
Dreadnought’s journey is not without its dramatic moments. One particularly heart-stopping incident occurred during the 2023 races, when on the second qualifying lap, Dreadnought suffered an engine failure. The seasoned pilot Joel Swager declared a mayday and skillfully landed the aircraft on runway 14, a testament to the pilot’s expertise and the aircraft’s enduring construction.
At the core of Dreadnought’s history is a tale of innovation, daring, and passion—a story that continues to captivate the hearts of aviation enthusiasts and race fans. As the Sea Fury’s fuselage takes on a new life in the form of PlaneTags, enthusiasts can hold a piece of this incredible story, a fragment of the speed and glory that Dreadnought represents.
Today, Dreadnought is operated by Sanders Aeronautics and is based in Ione, California. It remains a star at airshows, flybys, and the Reno Air Races, a towering example of historical preservation and racing excellence. The Sea Fury T.20 Dreadnought endures, a true champion of the skies, its legacy cemented both in the air and in the hands of those who cherish its memory.
Relevant articles:
– Hawker Sea Fury T.20, s/n UB, Aerial Visuals
– Custom Hawker Sea Fury T.20 Dreadnought Serial # ES-9505, PlaneTags
– Fighters > Sanders Aeronautics Hawker Sea Fury T.20, Warbird Depot