Britain's Fairey Battle bomber1,2
Fairey Battle bomber: |
Fairey Battle bomber: |
Fairey Battle bomber being built: |
Fairey Battle trainer: |
Fairey Battle bomber: |
Design
The design for the Fairey Battle occurred in the early 1930s and was based on a Air Ministry specification put out in April 1933.1,2 The intent of the Battle was to replace the biplane bomber then in service.2
The Battle was of all metal construction.2
Crew
The crew was located in a cockpit.2
Prototype
The prototype of the Fairey Battle first flew on March 10, 1936.1,2 The first order was place for 655 Battles.2
Production
- Fairey Battle: 2,1852
- Production: ? - September 19402
- Manufacturer: Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd2
Variants
Usage
First Assignment
The Nos 52 and 63 Squadrons received the Battle in March 1937.1,2
By 1938 17 squadrons were equipped with the Battle.1
France
Once war broke out in 1939, ten Battle equipped squadrons were moved to France with the Advanced Air Striking Force.1
On September 20, 1936 a Fairey Battle shot down a German aircraft, the first of World War II.2
Battles were unfortunately used without fighter escort and suffered severe losses.1
First Victorian Crosses of World War II
The very first Victorian Crosses to be awarded in World War II were posthumously to a Battle crew that attacked the Maastricht bridges on May 10, 1940.1 These men were Flying Officer D. E. Garland and Sergeant T. Gray of No. 12 Squadron.1
In this attack four of the five aircraft were shot down.1
Losses Mount
On May 14, 1940, 70 (712) Battles raided Sedan, and of those 40 were lost.1,2
Trainers
After the severe losses the Battles were withdrawn from front line duty and converted into trainers.1 Some were shipped to Canada.1,2
Belgium
Belgium received Battles.1
| Fairey Battle Mk I1,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Bomber2, Light bomber1 |
| Crew | 31 Pilot, gunner, radioman2 |
| Engine (Type) | Rolls-Royce Merlin Mk I2 Rolls-Royce Merlin III piston1 |
| Cylinders | Inline1, V-122 |
| Cooling | Liquid2 |
| HP | 1,0301,2 |
| Propeller blades | |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 54'1,2 16.46 m1 |
| Length | 45' 1.75"1, 52' 1"2 12.9 m1 |
| Height | 15' 6"1,2 4.72 m1 |
| Wing area | 422 ft2 1 39.2 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 6,647 lb1 3,015 kg1 |
| Loaded | 10,792 lb1,2 4,895 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 13,000' / 3,960 m |
241 mph1,2 388 kph1 |
| Climb to 5,000' / 1,525 m |
4.1 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 23,500'1,2 7,165 m1 |
| Range | 1,050 miles1,2 1,690 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Forward firing | 1: MG2 1: 7.7 mm MG1 |
| Rear cockpit | 1: MG2 1: 7.7 mm MG1 |
| Bombs | 1,000 lb1,2 454 kg1 |
Sources:
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976
