NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
Fairey Firefly aircraft origins can be traced back as far as 1926 when Britain's Fleet
Air Arm first deployed fast aircraft which served both fighter and
reconnaissance duties.
When the aircraft first took to the skies in December of 1941, they were
continuing that fighter and reconnaissance line of aircraft. When deployed in 1943, Fairey Firefly aircraft became the Royal Navy's principal carrier borne attack aircraft.
They first saw action against the German battleship Tirpitz in July of 1944.
The aircraft was faster than its predecessor by a good 40 mph. It was armed with four 20 mm cannons, in place of the eight machine guns of its predecessor.
While not an air superiority aircraft, the Firefly did excel in the role of armed reconnaissance.
Pilots appreciated the excellent low speed handling characteristics of the Fairey Firefly, a plus for carrier borne aircraft.
Some models incorporated the first airborne radar to be
fitted to a Royal Navy aircraft. These aircraft, when further equipped
with exhaust suppressors, to keep the engine exhaust from giving away
the aircraft's position on dark nights, were used as night fighters and
night interceptors.
Soon after VJ day, the aircraft participated in supply drops to POW camps on the Japanese mainland.
They remained in service well after World War II. A number saw
action during the Korean War, primarily as ground attack aircraft.
As late as 1962, Royal Netherlands Fairey Firefly aircraft were in
action over Indonesia.
fighter
two
Rolls Royce Griffon
1,900 h.p.
9,750 lbs.
14,000 lbs.
4- 20 mm
1,000 lbs.
37' 7"
44' 6"
316 mph
1,900 fpm
28,000 feet
1,300 miles
12/22/41
1943
Radio Control Airplane
RC Fairey Firefly slope soarer from Traplet plans. It has a wing span of 45" and uses ailerons, rudder, and elevator for controls. All up weight is about 39 ounces.
Radio Control Airplanes:
There is a rc Fairey Firefly kit sold by RC Store. com. Wing Span is 49 1/2". Power can come from .25 to .40 engines or electric. Flying weight is about 4 3/4 lbs.
The Fairey Firefly rc airplane built by Dave Collins. It has a wing span of 34" and is powered by a Pro 480 motor. Weight is about one pound.
Radio Control Airplane
A rc Fairey Firefly built by Carl Bachhuber. Wing span is 114". Carl installed flaps and retracts on his model and powers it with a 3W75i engine.
Radio Control Airplane
Carl Bachhuber and his rc Fairey Firefly. Carl
says that he was originally hesitant about flying it due to its high wing loading. However, he found that when the flaps are deployed it slows down nicely, making landings easy.
Fairey Firefly
