Fairey Albacore
Albacore | |
---|---|
L7075, the second prototype of the Fairey Albacore in flight. The markings place it around 1940. | |
Role | Torpedo bomber |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation
|
First flight | 12 December 1938 |
Introduction | 1940 |
Retired | 1949[a] |
Primary users | Royal Navy Royal Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force |
Number built | 800[1] |
The Fairey Albacore is a single-engine
The Albacore, popularly known as the "Applecore", was conceived as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish, an earlier biplane introduced during the mid 1930s. It was typically operated by a crew of three and was designed for spotting and reconnaissance as well as level, dive, and torpedo bombing. First flown on 12 December 1938, the Albacore was in production between 1939 and 1943, and entered FAA service with 826 Naval Air Squadron during March 1940. The type was initially operated from land bases, being dispatched on attack missions against enemy shipping and harbours in the vicinity of the English Channel. The first operations on board an aircraft carrier commenced in November 1940.
At its height, 15 first-line FAA squadrons flew the Albacore. The type was much used in the
Design and development
Background
The origins of the Albacore can be traced back to the issuing of
In response, Fairey Aviation decided to work on its own design.
The Albacore, otherwise designated TBR (torpedo/bomber/reconnaissance), was a single-bay all-metal biplane. Its fuselage was of a semi-monocoque design and was equipped with a split undercarriage.[2] In comparison to the Swordfish, the Albacore was furnished with a more powerful engine that drove a Constant-speed propeller,[3] while the fuselage was also more aerodynamically refined.[4] The engine that powered the early Albacores was a single Bristol Taurus II radial engine, capable of 1,065 hp, while those built later on received the more powerful Taurus XII, capable of 1,130 hp, instead.[5]
Furthermore, the Albacore provided numerous amenities for the benefit of its crew, such as its fully enclosed cockpit, a central heating system, a windscreen wiper for the pilot, and
The wings of the Albacore were of an equal span and were foldable for more compact stowage onboard aircraft carriers.
Into flight
On 12 December 1938, the first of two prototypes performed its maiden flight from the Great West Aerodrome, flown by F. H. Dixon.[7] During April 1939, the second prototype made its first flight, joining its sibling in the flight test programme shortly thereafter. Both prototypes had not been ordered under individual contracts, but had instead been the first two of a production batch of 100 aircraft. There were some differences from subsequent production aircraft, such as their initial outfitting with non-tapered engine cowlings and wheel-spats.[7]
While the Albacore had been developed as a carrier-capable land plane, there was interest in its potential as a floatplane, thus the first prototype was later outfitted with floats and was experimentally configured for catapult-assisted takeoffs.[7] The Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment (MAEE) tested it in early 1940, during which its water-handling was less than favourable, although it retained acceptable airborne characteristics, save for its reportedly poorly-harmonised flight controls.[7]
During 1939, quantity production of the first batch of 98 aircraft commenced;[10] the start of production had been delayed on account of production slippages of the Taurus engine.[11] During February 1940, testing of the Albacore and Taurus II engine alike commenced at RAF Boscombe Down. During these tests, the prototype demonstrated its ability to attain a maximum speed of 160 mph (140 kn; 260 km/h), at an altitude of 4,800 ft (1,463 m), at 11,570 lb (5,259 kg), which was achieved while carrying four depth charges underneath its wings, while its maximum speed without the depth charges was 172 mph (149 kn; 277 km/h).[12] An Albacore fitted with the Taurus II engine and carrying a torpedo weighed 11,100 lb (5,045 kg).[12]
Some minor criticisms of the Albacore were produced during its 1940 evaluation flights; issues included the excessive heat of the forward cockpit during the summer months, while the rear cockpit was cold and subject to persistent drafts.[13] The stall characteristics were described as uncomfortable, while the crew boarding process was also seen as somewhat hazardous. However, the only notable change in the specification was the replacement of the Taurus II engine with the improved Taurus XII counterpart.[11]
A total of 800 Albacores were built, including the two prototypes, which were all manufactured at Fairey's Hayes factory. Production came to an end in 1943.[11] They were typically test flown from London's Great West Aerodrome, what has since been expanded into London Heathrow Airport.[14][15][16]
Operational history
During March 1940, No. 826 Naval Air Squadron was specially formed to operate the first Albacores; within weeks, the type had begun operations, attacking harbours and shipping in the English Channel, operating from shore bases, as well as providing convoy escort for the rest of 1940.[17][18] HMS Formidable's 826 and 829 Squadrons were the first to operate the Albacore from an aircraft carrier, operations commencing in November 1940.[15][19] The Albacore suffered from reliability problems with the Taurus engine, although these were later solved, so that the failure rate was no worse than the Pegasus equipped Swordfish.[20] The Albacore remained less popular than the Swordfish, as it was less manoeuvrable, while the controls were considered to be too heavy for a pilot to perform much evasive action after dropping a torpedo.[20]
Eventually, there were 15 first-line FAA squadrons equipped with the Albacore which operated widely in the
Between September 1941 and June 1943, No.
On 9 March 1942, twelve Albacores from HMS Victorious attacked the German battleship Tirpitz at sea near Narvik.[19] Based on information from one of a search force of six Albacores that had been launched earlier, Albacores from 817 and 832 Squadrons launched torpedoes. One attack came within 20 yd (18 m) of Tirpitz, but the attack failed for the loss of two aircraft.[21]
During 1943, the Albacore was replaced in FAA service by the newer Barracuda. The final Albacore squadron of the FAA, No. 841 Squadron, which had flown numerous shore-based attacks against shipping in the English Channel for the whole of its career with the Albacore, was disbanded in late 1943.[17][22]
The
The
Operators
Royal Canadian Air Force
- No. 415 Squadron RCAF
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm[15]
- 700 Naval Air Squadron
- 733 Naval Air Squadron
- 747 Naval Air Squadron
- 750 Naval Air Squadron
- 753 Naval Air Squadron
- 754 Naval Air Squadron
- 756 Naval Air Squadron
- 763 Naval Air Squadron
- 766 Naval Air Squadron
- 767 Naval Air Squadron
- 768 Naval Air Squadron
- 769 Naval Air Squadron
- 771 Naval Air Squadron
- 774 Naval Air Squadron
- 775 Naval Air Squadron
- 778 Naval Air Squadron
- 781 Naval Air Squadron
- 782 Naval Air Squadron
- 783 Naval Air Squadron
- 785 Naval Air Squadron
- 786 Naval Air Squadron
- 787 Naval Air Squadron
- 788 Naval Air Squadron
- 789 Naval Air Squadron
- 791 Naval Air Squadron
- 793 Naval Air Squadron
- 796 Naval Air Squadron
- 797 Naval Air Squadron
- 799 Naval Air Squadron
- 810 Naval Air Squadron
- 815 Naval Air Squadron
- 817 Naval Air Squadron
- 818 Naval Air Squadron
- 820 Naval Air Squadron
- 821 Naval Air Squadron
- 822 Naval Air Squadron
- 823 Naval Air Squadron
- 826 Naval Air Squadron
- 827 Naval Air Squadron
- 828 Naval Air Squadron
- 829 Naval Air Squadron
- 830 Naval Air Squadron
- 831 Naval Air Squadron
- 832 Naval Air Squadron
- 841 Naval Air Squadron
Surviving aircraft
Only one Albacore is known to survive, on display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, which was built using parts of Albacores N4389 and N4172 recovered from crash sites.[27]
Specifications (Albacore with Taurus XII)
Data from Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1943–44,[28] British naval aircraft since 1912,[17] The British Bomber since 1914,[14] The Hamlyn Concise Guide to British Aircraft in World War II
General characteristics
- Crew: 2 (torpedo bomber) or 3 (reconnaissance mission)
- Length: 40 ft 1+1⁄8 in (12.221 m) in tail-up rigging position[9]
- Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m)
- Width: 17 ft 9 in (5.41 m) wings folded[9]
- Height: 12 ft 10+1⁄2 in (3.924 m) tail down, propeller tip down[9]
- Wing area: 623 sq ft (57.9 m2)
- Empty weight: 7,250 lb (3,289 kg) torpedo bomber[b]
- Gross weight: 10,460 lb (4,745 kg) torpedo bomber[c]
- Max takeoff weight: 12,830 lb (5,820 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Taurus XII 14-cylinder sleeve-valve radial piston engine, 1,130 hp (840 kW) for take-off[d]
- Propellers: 3-bladed constant-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 161 mph (259 km/h, 140 kn) torpedo bomber at 4,500 ft (1,400 m)[e]
- Cruise speed: 140 mph (230 km/h, 120 kn) maximum
- Stall speed: 54 mph (87 km/h, 47 kn) flaps down[29][page needed]
- Range: 710 mi (1,140 km, 620 nmi) with torpedo[30]
- Ferry range: 930 mi (1,500 km, 810 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 18,800 ft (5,700 m)
- Time to altitude: eight minutes to 6,000 ft (1,800 m)
Armament
- Guns: ** 1 × fixed, forward-firing 0.303 in (7.7 mm) M1919 Browning machine gun in starboard wing
- 1 or 2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine guns in rear cockpit.
- Bombs: 1 × 1,670 lb (760 kg) torpedo or 2,000 lb (910 kg) of bombs
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Notes
References
Citations
- ^ Taylor 1969, p. 295.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Taylor 1969, p. 289.
- ^ Harrison 2004, p. 7
- ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 288-289.
- ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 289, 291.
- ^ Taylor 1969, p. 288.
- ^ a b c d e Taylor 1969, p. 291.
- ^ a b Brown 1980, p. 66.
- ^ ISBN 1-86126-512-3.
- ^ Mason 1994, p. 321
- ^ a b c Taylor 1969, p. 292.
- ^ ISBN 0-9519899-9-5.
- ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 291-292.
- ^ a b Mason 1994, p. 323
- ^ a b c Harrison, W.A. (2004). Warpaint Series No.52 : Fairey Albacore. Bedfordshire: Warpaint Books Ltd. pp. 11, 13, 17.
- ISBN 978-0-753714-62-1.
- ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 292–293.
- ^ a b c d e f Taylor 1969, p. 293.
- ^ a b Mason 1994, p. 322
- ^ Kostam 2019, pp. 35–40
- ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 293-294.
- ^ a b Shores, Cull and Izawa 1992, p. 146.
- ^ a b Taylor 1969, p. 294.
- ISBN 1-84037-141-2.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ Rucker, D. "Fairey Albacore". fleetairarmarchive net. Archived from the original on 31 October 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ISBN 978-1783400546.
- ^ Bridgman 1944, p. 30c
- ISBN 0-9512379-8-5.
- ^ Brown 1980, p. 68.
Bibliography
- Bridgman, Leonard, ed. (1944). Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1943-44. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co.
- ISBN 0-7106-0002-X.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - Harrison, W.A. Warpaint Series No.52 : Fairey Albacore. Bedfordshire: Warpaint Books Ltd 2004. OCLC 65202541.
- Kostam, Angus. Sink the Tirpitz 1942–44: The RAF and Fleet Air Arm duel with Germany's mighty battleship. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2018. ISBN 978-1472831590
- Lawrence, Joseph (1945). The Observer's Book Of Airplanes. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co.
- Mason, Francis K. (1994). The British Bomber Since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
- Shores, Christopher; Cull, Brian; Izawa, Yasuho (1992). Bloody Shambles: Volume One: The Drift to War to the Fall of Singapore. London: Grub Street. ISBN 0-948817-50-X.
- Taylor, H.A. Fairey Aircraft Since 1915. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-00065-X.
Further reading
- Smith, Peter C. (1982). Dive bomber : an illustrated history. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-0-87021-930-6.
- Taylor, H.A. (1974). Fairey aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam & Company Ltd. ISBN 0-370-00065-X.