The Navy Wings team was proud to be part of the Royal Navy STEM team presence at MACH 2026, held at Birmingham NEC, the UK’s premier manufacturing and engineering exhibition. Positioned within the Royal Navy’s impressive stand, Navy Wings brought a unique perspective to the event: demonstrating how cutting-edge technology is being used to preserve and fly our historic naval aircraft.
Heritage Driving Innovation
As an integral part of the Royal Navy family, Navy Wings represents the living history of the Fleet Air Arm – a service built on constant innovation. From the earliest aircraft carrier operations to modern-day naval aviation, technological advancement has always been at the heart of capability at sea.
Our historic aircraft are more than museum pieces; they are powerful, working examples of the ingenuity, courage and engineering excellence that have defined the Fleet Air Arm for over a century. By keeping these aircraft flying, we not only honour the past, but also provide a tangible link to the innovation that continues to shape the Royal Navy today.
Engaging the Next Generation
A key focus of our presence at MACH 2026 was inspiring young people to explore careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Throughout the event, the Navy Wings team engaged with T Level students, Sea Cadets, Royal Marine Cadets, apprentices and aspiring engineers – demonstrating how heritage aviation demands the very latest skills and thinking.
Through hands-on discussions and real-world examples, visitors discovered how modern tools such as computer-aided design (CAD) and 3D printing are essential in solving complex engineering challenges for our aircraft. With many original parts for historic aircraft no longer available, our engineers must design and manufacture new components from scratch – combining traditional craftsmanship with advanced technology.
Innovation in Action: The Sea Fury FB.11
At the heart of our display was the story of the Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 and its journey back to flight—an ambitious and technically demanding project that perfectly illustrates our innovative approach.
Faced with a series of complex engineering challenges, the team has embraced modern methods to develop effective, efficient solutions. These include:
- Designing and manufacturing a new throttle lever linkage
- Creating a completely new fuel boost pump from first principles
- Developing an innovative method for testing the tailwheel oleo
- Engineering a solution to integrate a significantly heavier Anti-Surge Valve (ASVv) into the airframe
In each case, CAD has been used to design components with precision, before producing cost-effective 3D printed prototypes. This approach allows the team to test, refine and perfect solutions without the expense of commissioning partners to machine parts from specialist materials, ensuring both accuracy and efficiency in the restoration process.
We can’t do all this in-house so we partner with people like Martin Espin of Aerotech (Suffolk) Ltd who provides invaluable assistance to our engineering team.
Meaningful Connections
Beyond the engineering story, MACH 2026 provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with a wide and diverse audience. From T-Level students taking their first steps towards a career in engineering, to industry professionals and business leaders, the Navy Wings stand sparked curiosity, conversation and enthusiasm. We also engaged with Sea Cadets and Royal Marine Cadets who attended the event to learn more about STEM activities in the Royal Navy.
The team was also honoured to engage with senior Royal Navy leadership, including Brigadier Ged Salzano, RM, Commander of the Royal Navy Cadet Forces. During the event, HRH Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh also visited the Royal Navy stand, taking note of Navy Wings’ contribution to showcasing innovation and heritage side by side.
A Word from the CEO
Reflecting on the event, Navy Wings CEO Jamie Dible said:
“We were delighted to be invited to join the Royal Navy STEM team at MACH 2026 which was a fantastic opportunity for Navy Wings to demonstrate how heritage and innovation go hand in hand. We were thrilled to engage with so many young people, cadets and aspiring engineers, showing them that preserving historic aircraft is not just about the past, it’s about applying the very latest technology and skills to keep our remarkable aircraft flying.
The level of interest in our work, particularly in how we use CAD and 3D printing to solve complex engineering challenges, was incredibly encouraging. It was also a privilege to stand alongside the Royal Navy and to highlight the enduring importance of the Fleet Air Arm’s pioneering spirit. Events like this are vital in inspiring the next generation and ensuring these remarkable aircraft, and the stories they carry, continue to fly into the future.”
MACH 2026 proved to be an inspiring and highly successful event for Navy Wings – reinforcing the powerful connection between heritage, innovation and education. As we continue our mission to keep historic naval aircraft flying, opportunities like this allow us to share that story with new audiences and inspire the engineers, aviators and innovators of tomorrow.
