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Britain's Fairey Firefly fighter, fighter bomber1,2
Fairey Firefly:
Fairey Firefly:
Fairey Firefly Mk I:
Design
The Fairey Firefly was a more powerful Fulmar and developed starting in 1940.2
Had Fairey-Youngman flaps.1,2
The pilot had a large canopy which provided an excellent view.1
Prototype
On December 22, 1941 was the Fireflys first flight.1,2
The Mk IV prototype first flew in May 1945.2
Production
Initially 200 were ordered for the British Fleet Air Arm.1,2
Fairey and General Aircraft produced the Firefly.1
- Prototypes: 42
- F.I: 4292
- Fairey: 2972
- General Aircraft: 1322
- FR.I: 2362
- NF.I: 1402
- NF.II: 371,2
- Total: 1,6232
- 1943-1946: 8501
Produced until 1955.2
Variants
- Firefly F. Mk I: Fighter.2
- Firefly FR. Mk I: Fighter reconnaissance.2 Added an American ASH radar under the nose.1,2
- Firefly NF. Mk I: Conversion to a night fighter with the ASH radar.1,2
- Firefly NF. Mk II: Production night fighter with the AI. Mk X radar.1,2
- Firefly Mk IV: Post World War II.2 Had Griffon 74 engine (2,190 HP).2 Had a four blade propeller.2 Radiator moved to the wing root.2
Usage
Was in service starting 1943.1
Deliveries started in March 1943 and service starting in October 1943.2
First Battle
In July 1944 the No. 1770 Squadron, aboard the HMS Indefatigable, were used in raids on the Tirpitz.1,2
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.1,2
In June 1945 three squadrons of Fireflys were used in the Caroline Islands.1
In July 1945 the Firefly was the first British aircraft to fly over Tokyo during attacks.2
Once World War II was over, the Fireflys were used to drop supplies to POWs still in camps throughout Japan.2
Korean War
The Firefly was used during the Korean War.2
| Fairey Firefly Mk I1,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Reconnaissance fighter1,2 Fighter-bomber1,2 |
| Crew | 21,2 |
| Engine (Type) | Rolls-Royce Griffon IIB piston1,2 |
| OR | Rolls-Royce Griffon XII2 |
| Cylinders | |
| Cooling | |
| HP | IIB: 1,7301,2 XII: 1,9902 |
| Propeller blades | 31,2 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 44' 6"1,2 13.56 m1,2 |
| Length | 37' 7"1, 37' 7.25"2 11.46 m1,2 |
| Height | 13' 7"1,2 4.14 m1,2 |
| Wing area | 326 ft2 1 30.47 m2 1 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 9,731 lb1 , 9,750 lb2 4,423 kg1,2 |
| Loaded | 13,990 lb1, 14,020 lb2 6,359 kg1,2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed at sea level | 284 mph2 457 kph2 |
| Speed @ 14,000' / 4,265 m |
316 mph1 509 kph1 |
| Speed @ 17,000' / 5,182 m |
319 mph2 513 kph2 |
| Cruising speed | 204 mph2 329 kph2 |
| Climb | 1,700'/minute2 518 m/minute2 |
| Service ceiling | 28,000'1,2 8,534 m2, 8,535 m1 |
| Range | 774 miles2, 1,300 miles1 1,246 km2, 2,092 km1 |
| Maximum range | 1,070 miles2 1,722 km2 |
| Armament | |
| Wings | 4: 20 mm2 4: 20 mm Hispano1 |
| Rockets | 8: 60 lb1,2 8: 27 kg1,2 |
| OR | |
| Bombs | 2: 1,000 lb1,2 2: 454 kg1,2 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
