Mike Keenum's Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 "Riff Raff"

Mike Keenum is the owner of this beautiful Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 "Riff Raff" (Race 99), regularly flown at airshows throughout Western and Central USA where Mike displays "Riff Raff" performing a 10-15 minute aerobatic routine and also seen racing at the Reno National Championship Air Races at speeds of 450 mph.

One of the fastest piston engine aircraft ever built, Hawker's magnificent Sea Fury/Fury has always had the ability to inspire awe amongst everyone from airport kids to jet fighter pilots. It continues to attract fans at airshows and air races around the world and leaves most other aircraft of the era well behind.

Hawker was designated to work on the land-based version, the Fury, and responsibility for the naval conversion was assigned to Boulton-Paul Aircraft Ltd. In April of 1944 contracts were placed for 200 aircraft for each the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm. The first Sea Fury prototype flew on February 21, 1945, but the first full naval version with folding wings did not fly until October 12, 1947.

The Sea Fury was to see significant involvement in the Korean War, mainly in the ground attack role alongside the Fairey Firefly. The aircraft also had the distinction of shooting down a Mig-15, the first by a piston engine fighter, this being achieved by an 802 Squadron aircraft flown by Lt. P. Carmichael on August 9, 1952.

The Riff Raff Racing Team has become an extended family over the years. This dedicated group includes Team Manager: Ray Studniarz, Crew Chief: Jim Skinner, Mechanic/Fabricator: Bob Novy, with other members Bob Hahn, Tom Sadowsky, Chuck Scott and Jim Kippen.

Riff Raff's owner Mike Keenum is a retired physical therapist originally from the Chicago area. He served in Vietnam as a crew chief on F105's, and has been a pilot since 1984. Mike has owned and flown numerous aircraft and has over 10,000 hours of flight time. He flies the Sea Fury in airshows around the country.

Robert "Hoot" Gibson regularly flies "Riff Raff" and is a former NASA astronaut and veteran of 5 shuttle missions. He was the first Commander to dock with the Space Station Mir. Hoot served as a Navy pilot from 1969 to 1996, retiring as a captain. He graduated first in his class at the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, is a graduate of Navy Fighter Weapons School "Topgun" and was a test pilot on the F-14A "Tomcat". In addition to flying Riff Raff at the Reno Air Races since 1998, Hoot keeps busy as an aerospace consultant and professional speaker. He and his family reside in Tennessee.

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