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Britain's Fairey Fulmar1,2
Fairey Fulmar:
Fairey Fulmar:
Design
Based on the abandoned P.4/34 light bomber project, the Fulmar filled the Royal Navy's need for a modern fighter in the 1930s.1,2
The Royal Navy wanted the fighter to be able to return to the carrier in any weather and felt a second crewman was necessary to act as navigator.1
The undercarriage retracted inwards and the tail wheel was fixed.1
A dingy was included in case of ditching at sea.1
Prototypes
The first prototype flew on January 13, 1937.1
The fighter prototype flew on January 4, 1940.2 It was evident early on that the fighter didn't perform very well.2
Production
Approximately 600 were built, with the last one being delivered in February 1943.1
- Mk I: 1272
- Mk II: 4502
Variants
- Fulmar:
- Fulmar night fighter: 100 were converted, but had little success.1
Usage
Entered service in 1940 protecting convoys to Malta.1
Used in 20 squadrons and on eight fleet carriers and five escort carriers.1
Battle of Britain
The No. 808 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm had Fulmar Mk Is at the time of the Battle of Britain but did not see combat.2
Battle of Taranto
Were used for cover for the Swordfish in the raid on Taranto from the carrier HMS Illustrius.1,2
Battle of Matapan
From the HMS Formidable, Fulmars escorted Swordfish and Albacores that attacked the Italian battleship Vittorio Veneto.2
Ceylon
There were two squadrons of Fulmars protecting Colombo during the Japanese navy attacks in the Indian Ocean in early 1942.2
Most were shot down by the Japanese naval fighters.2
| Fairey Fulmar Mk I1 | Fairey Fulmar Mk II2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Carrier based fighter1 | Carrier based fighter2 |
| Crew | 21 Pilot, navigator1 |
22 |
| Engine (Type) | Rolls-Royce Merlin VIII piston1 | Rolls-Royce Merlin XXX piston2 |
| Cylinders | Vee-121 | Inline2 |
| Cooling | ||
| HP | 1,0801 | 1,2602 |
| Propeller blades | 31 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 46' 5"1 14.14 m1 |
46' 4.5"2 14.13 m2 |
| Length | 40' 2"1 12.24 m1 |
40' 2"2 12.24 m2 |
| Height | 14'1 4.27 m1 |
10' 8"2 3.25 m2 |
| Wing area | 342 ft2 1 31.77 m2 1 |
342 ft2 2 31.77 m2 2 |
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 8,700 lb1 3,955 kg1 |
7,384 lb2 3,349 kg2 |
| Loaded | 10,677 lb1 4,853 kg1 |
10,200 lb2 4,627 kg2 |
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 9,000' / 2,745 m |
247 mph1 398 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 16,500' / 5,030 m |
272 mph2 438 kph2 |
|
| Climb | 1,200'/minute1 366 m/minute1 |
1,320'/minute2 402 m/minute2 |
| Service ceiling | 21,500'1 6,555 m1 |
27,200'2 8,290 m2 |
| Range | 4 hours1 | 780 miles2 1,255 km2 |
| Armament | ||
| Wings | 8: 7.7 mm MG1 | 8: 7.7 mm MG2 |
| Rear cockpit (a few models) |
1: 7.7 mm MG2 | |
| Production |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
