Hawker Sea Fury WG630 Refurbishment at HARS

This article was originally written by John Parker for Warbirds Online and is republished by Vintage Aviation News as part of an ongoing cooperative arrangement between the two publications. Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 WG630 has returned to the spotlight at Albion Park, with refurbishment now underway on one of the Royal Australian Navy’s most formidable and historically significant piston‑engined fighters. Work is progressing inside the HARS main hangar, where the aircraft is being steadily returned to an authentic, museum‑quality display standard. With fresh primer already applied, the project has entered a clearly visible new phase. When Warbirds Online visited WG630 in late December 2025, the aircraft had begun a comprehensive cleaning and refinishing program across much of the airframe. The fuselage surfaces had been thoroughly cleaned and prepared, with new primer applied to mark a significant improvement in the aircraft’s overall presentation. In the months ahead, the remainder of the airframe will receive the same treatment, followed by the application of its correct squadron colours, along with historically accurate markings and stencilling worn during its service life.

Restoration in Public View

One of the most distinctive aspects of WG630’s refurbishment is that the aircraft remains on public display while work is carried out. All activity is taking place within the main display hangar at the HARS Aviation Museum at Albion Park, allowing visitors to observe progress as it unfolds. While this arrangement is expected to continue, there may be brief periods when the aircraft is temporarily removed from display to accommodate specific tasks such as paint application.

A Static Display, for Now

During the aircraft’s assembly phase in 2019, initial assessments of WG630’s overall condition were undertaken. As these assessments progressed, it was determined that the aircraft would, at this stage, be restored and displayed to a static, museum‑quality standard. Consideration may be given at a later date to a full restoration to flying condition. HARS is currently managing several major restoration projects, all of which demand significant time and resources. Returning a Sea Fury to airworthy status represents a substantial financial and technical commitment. The present approach ensures WG630 can be conserved, accurately finished, and displayed to a high standard, while preserving the option of a future flying restoration.

Arrival at HARS in 2019

A Warbirds Online report published in 2019 documented the arrival of Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 WG630 at HARS following its transfer from the Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Nowra, New South Wales. The move formed part of a broader redistribution of aircraft from the former Royal Australian Navy Historic Flight, together with duplicate aircraft from the RAN Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS Albatross. Warbirds Online has previously covered the history and provenance of WG630 in detail in an earlier article, available HERE.

On Display at Albion Park and Setting a Benchmark

Since its arrival at Albion Park, WG630 has remained on display in largely the same condition as when it arrived in 2019. Over time, it has become a popular exhibit with visitors, representing a powerful example of a late‑generation piston‑engined fighter and the final piston‑engine aircraft to serve operationally with the Royal Australian Navy. Once refurbishment is complete, WG630 is expected to stand among the most accurately and authentically presented Hawker Sea Furys on display in Australia. The aircraft will serve as a lasting historical monument to the aviators who flew this formidable final‑generation naval fighter in both peace and war.

The Broader Context

Warbirds Online has long maintained a particular interest in the Hawker Fury and Sea Fury family. With the number of Sea Furys in Australia likely to increase in the coming years—including a rare TT.20 two‑seat flying project currently underway at Scone, New South Wales—the refurbishment of WG630 represents an important and encouraging development within the Australian historic aviation and warbird community. Further updates on the progress of Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 WG630 are expected as the restoration continues toward completion.