United Kingdom's Fairey Firefly1
Fairey Firefly:
Fairey Firefly:
Fairey Firefly Mk I:
Design
Had Fairey-Youngman flaps.1
The pilot had a large canopy which provided an excellent view.1
Prototype
On December 22, 1941 was the Fireflys first flight.1
Production
200 were ordered for the British Fleet Air Arm.1
Fairey and General Aircraft produced the Firefly.1
Variants
- Firefly F. Mk I:
- Firefly FR. Mk I: Added an American ASH radar under the nose.1
- Firefly NF. Mk I: Conversion to a night fighter with the ASH radar.1
- Firefly NF. Mk II: Production night fighter with the AI. Mk X radar.1 37 were built.1
Usage
Was in service from 1943.1
First Battle
In July 1944 the No. 1770 Squadron, aboard the HMS Indefatigable, were used in raids on the Tirpitz.1
Over Britain
In 1944 Fairey Firefly NF. Mk Is intercepted He 111s carrying V-1 flying bombs.1
Against Japan
On January 2, 1945 a Firefly had it's first air-to-air victory against a Japanese Nakajima Ki-43.1
In January 1945 Fireflys were used in the attacks on oil refineries in Sumatra.1
In June 1945 three squadrons of Fireflys were used in the Caroline Islands.1
| Fairey Firefly Mk I1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance fighter1 Fighter-bomber1 |
| Crew | 21 |
| Engine (Type) | Rolls-Royce Griffon IIB piston1 |
| Cylinders | |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,7301 |
| Propeller blades | 31 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 44' 6"1 13.56 m1 |
| Length | 37' 7"1 11.46 m1 |
| Height | 13' 7"1 4.14 m1 |
| Wing area | 326 ft2 1 30.47 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 9,731 lb1 4,423 kg1 |
| Loaded | 13,990 lb1 6,359 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 14,000' / 4,265 m |
316 mph1 509 kph1 |
| Climb | |
| Service ceiling | 28,000'1 8,535 m1 |
| Range | 1,300 miles1 2,092 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Wings | 4: 20 mm Hispano1 |
| Rockets | 8: 60 lb1 8: 27 kg1 |
| OR | |
| Bombs | 2: 1,000 lb1 2: 454 kg1 |
| Production | 1943-1946: 8501 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
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