Fairey Fulmar
Fulmar | |
---|---|
Fairey Fulmar Mk II N4062 | |
Role | Carrier-based reconnaissance/fighter aircraft |
National origin | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation Company
|
Designer | Marcel Lobelle |
First flight | 4 January 1940 |
Introduction | 10 May 1940 |
Retired | 1945 |
Status | Retired |
Primary users | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
Produced | 1940–1943 |
Number built | 600[1] |
Developed from | Fairey P.4/34 |
The Fairey Fulmar is a British
The design of the Fulmar was based on that of the earlier Fairey P.4/34, a land-based light bomber developed during 1936 as a replacement for the Fairey Battle light bomber. Fairey had redesigned the aircraft as a navalised observation/fighter aircraft to satisfy the requirements of Specification O.8/38, for which it was selected. Although its performance (like that of its Battle antecedent) was unspectacular, the Fulmar was a reliable, sturdy aircraft with long range and an effective armament of eight machine guns; the type could also be put into production relatively quickly. On 4 January 1940, the first production aircraft made its first flight and delivery commenced shortly thereafter, while production of an improved model, the Fulmar Mk II, started during January 1941. Fairey produced a total of 600 Fulmars at its Stockport factory between January 1940 and December 1942.
During July 1940,
Design and development
Background
The Fulmar has its origins in the Fairey P.4/34, which had been developed in response to the issuing of Specification P.4/34 by the British Air Ministry. P.4/34 had sought a light bomber that would be capable of being used as a dive bomber; in addition to Fairey's entry, competing submissions came in the form of the Hawker Henley and an unbuilt Gloster design.[2][3] Despite the P.4/34's relatively high maximum speed of 284 mph, the rival Henley, which was capable of attaining 300 mph, was selected and eventually ordered; in service, the Henley was largely used as a target tug.[4]
The Fulmar was basically a version of the P.4/34 which had been adapted for naval use. Fairey submitted their modified design as a response to Specification O.8/38, which called for a two-crew fighter capable of observation and fleet defence operations. As the prospective aircraft was not expected to encounter any major fighter opposition, as Nazi Germany, Britain's only foreseen enemy during this era, possessed no aircraft carriers of its own, factors such as long range and heavy armament were considered to be more important than a high level of either manoeuvrability or speed. As the type was intended to routinely perform lengthy flights over the ocean, the presence of a navigator / wireless operator was considered to be an essential element, especially when flying at nighttime or during poor weather conditions.[5][6]
Possessing a substantial resemblance to the earlier
Production and further development
The first prototype Fulmar, which acted as a "flying
As a relatively straightforward derivative of an existing prototype, the Fulmar promised to be available in quantity quickly; during mid-1938, an initial order for 127 production aircraft was placed by the Royal Navy.
During January 1941, production of the improved Fulmar Mk II commenced; the first Mk II aircraft was delivered to an operational squadron in March 1941.[14] This model of the aircraft was furnished with the more powerful Merlin XXX engine; the airframe had provision for a 60-gallon (273 litre) centre-line drop tank and provision to carry a 250 lb (114 kg) or 500 lb (227 kg) bomb in lieu of the drop tank.[15][3][5] During October 1941, tests performed at RAF Boscombe Down revealed that the 60-gallon drop tank extended the aircraft's range to 1,100 mi (1,800 km).[16] During June 1942, flight testing of the Fulmar II was conducted at Boscombe Down; these tests found that the Fulmar could safely drop a 500 lb bomb during 60-degree dives at up to 310 knots.[16] Fulmars were launched from catapults on merchant ships, a convoy defensive plan that was being evaluated at the time.[17]
N1854, the first production Fulmar, was later modified to Mk II standard and re-designated G-AIBE, after which it was used as Fairey's hack for some time. During June 1959, it reverted to service markings and was seen at Farnborough at the SBAC show on 8 September 1962; G-AIBE's last flight was conducted three months later on 18 December 1962. During 1972, the aircraft was presented to the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, where it has been preserved and is on static display.[10]
Operational history
During July 1940, the first squadron of the
The Fulmar was one of several British aircraft to participate in the
The Fulmar was also deployed in other theatres, including the
Throughout 1942, the Fulmar was being gradually replaced as a naval fighter by single-seat aircraft that had been adapted from land fighters, such as the British
At its peak, twenty squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm were equipped with the Fulmar. It flew from eight fleet aircraft carriers and five
Approximately 100 Fulmars were converted to a night fighter variant but the type achieved only limited success in this role.[17] Some of the early marks of the aircraft were also operated from CAM ships.[31] Vichy French forces reportedly captured a Fulmar Mk I, which had been forced to land while flying a reconnaissance mission over Senegal during March 1941. This Fulmar was repaired and operated for some time by the Group de Chasse I/4.[32]
According to pilots, its flight characteristics were considered to be pleasant, while its widely spaced undercarriage provided good deck handling and it had excellent fuel capacity and range. Most Fleet Air Arm
Variants
- Mk.I
- First production variant powered by a 1,035 hp (772 kW) (1,275 hp at take off) Rolls-Royce Merlin VIII; 8 × .303 Browning Mk.II (750 rounds per gun), 250 built.[11][12][3]
- Mk.II
- Updated variant powered by a 1,300 hp (970 kW) Merlin XXX with a new propeller and the addition of tropical equipment; 8 × .303 Browning Mk.II (1,000 rounds per gun) or 4 × .50 Browning AN/M2 – part of the last batch (170 rounds per gun, in other sources specified 370 rounds per gun), some finished as night fighters, one prototype converted from a Mk.I and 350 built.[11][12][34][3]
- NF Mk.II
- Mk.II AI Mk. IV radar (1 aircraft) or AI Mk.X radar (other); 4 × .50 Browning AN/M2 – about 50 aircraft (other 8 × .303 Browning Mk.II), total were converted from the Mk.II nearly 100 aircraft.[35][3]
Operators
- Royal Air Force
- Fleet Air Arm
- 731 Naval Air Squadron (Deck Landing Control Officer training)
- 740 Naval Air Squadron (Observer Training Squadron)
- 746 Naval Air Squadron (Night Fighter Interception Unit)
- 748 Naval Air Squadron (Naval Fighter Pool)
- 759 Naval Air Squadron (RNAS Fighter School)
- 760 Naval Air Squadron
- 761 Naval Air Squadron (RNAS Fighter School)
- 762 Naval Air Squadron (RNAS Fighter School)
- 766 Naval Air Squadron
- 767 Naval Air Squadron
- 768 Naval Air Squadron
- 769 Naval Air Squadron
- 772 Naval Air Squadron (Fleet Requirements Unit)
- 775 Naval Air Squadron (Fleet Requirements Unit)
- 777 Naval Air Squadron (Fleet Requirements Unit)
- 778 Naval Air Squadron
- 784 Naval Air Squadron (Night Fighter Training Unit)
- 787 Naval Air Squadron (Fighter Development Unit)
- 790 Naval Air Squadron
- 795 Naval Air Squadron (East African Fighter Pool)
- 800 Naval Air Squadron
- 803 Naval Air Squadron
- 804 Naval Air Squadron
- 805 Naval Air Squadron
- 806 Naval Air Squadron
- 807 Naval Air Squadron
- 808 Naval Air Squadron
- 809 Naval Air Squadron
- 813 Naval Air Squadron (Night Sqn.)
- 879 Naval Air Squadron
- 884 Naval Air Squadron
- 886 Naval Air Squadron
- 887 Naval Air Squadron
- 889 Naval Air Squadron
- 893 Naval Air Squadron
Surviving aircraft
The only known survivor is N1854, the Fulmar prototype (and first production Mk I) at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton.[10] The only known surviving Rolls-Royce Merlin VIII engine is in a private collection in the UK and came from Fulmar Mk I, N1926.[citation needed]
Specifications (Fulmar Mk II)
Data from Fairey Fulmar, Warpaint Series No.41,[15] The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II,[3] Fairey Aircraft since 1915[36]
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 40 ft 2 in (12.24 m)
- Wingspan: 46 ft 4.25 in (14.1288 m)
- Height: 14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
- Wing area: 342 sq ft (31.8 m2)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 2418; tip: NACA 2409[37]
- Empty weight: 7,015 lb (3,182 kg)
- Gross weight: 9,672 lb (4,387 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 10,200 lb (4,627 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 30V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,300 hp (970 kW)
- Propellers: 3-bladed Rotolconstant-speed propeller
Performance
- Maximum speed: 272 mph (438 km/h, 236 kn) at 7,250 ft (2,210 m)
- Cruise speed: 235 mph (378 km/h, 204 kn)
- Range: 780 mi (1,260 km, 680 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 27,200 ft (8,300 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,200 ft/min (6.1 m/s)
- Wing loading: 28 lb/sq ft (140 kg/m2)
Armament
- 8 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) or 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning machine guns wing-mounted,[12][34] and occasionally 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine gun in rear cabin
- 2 × 100 lb (45 kg) or 250 lb (110 kg) bombs
See also
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
- Blackburn Skua
- Grumman F4F Wildcat
- Grumman F6F Hellcat
- Hawker Sea Hurricane
- Mitsubishi A6M Zero
- Supermarine Seafire
Related lists
- List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
- List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
- List of aircraft of World War II
References
Citations
- ^ a b Scholefield 1998, p. 35.
- ^ Mason 1994, p. 306.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bishop 2002, p. 402.
- ^ Thetford 1991, p. 152.
- ^ a b c d Fredriksen 2001, p. 110.
- ^ Wragg 2003, p. 61.
- ^ Winchester 2004, p. 85.
- ^ a b Mason 1992, p. 287.
- ^ a b Lumsden 1990, p. 354.
- ^ a b c d e f "Fairey Fulmar (N1854)." Archived 24 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine Fleet Air Arm Museum, Retrieved: 1 July 2019.
- ^ a b c Brown 1973, p. 47.
- ^ a b c d Bussy 2004, p. 0.
- ^ Thetford 1991, p. 157: states 280 mph. Note: Almost all British aircraft could use emergency boost to increase the supercharger intake pressure and increase power at low altitude for short periods of time. The Merlin VIII engine was rated at 1,275 hp at take-off and the use of overboost gained this power rating in combat and 280 mph seems feasible.
- ^ Brown 1973, p. 31.
- ^ a b Bussy 2004, pp. 0, 7.
- ^ a b Mason 1998, p. 269.
- ^ a b c Winchester 2004, p. 84.
- ^ a b Thomas 2013, p. 24.
- ^ Stephen, p. 84
- ^ Brown 1973, p. 42.
- ^ Wragg 2003, p. 63.
- ^ Stephen, p. 59
- ^ Shores, Chapter 10
- ^ Smith 2014, pp. ix, 85.
- ^ "Armoured Aircraft Carriers". Armoured Aircraft Carriers in World War II. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ Smith 2014, p. 85.
- OCLC 992169551.
- ^ "History of No. 273 Squadron." Archived 13 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine RAF History. Retrieved 25 October 2009.
- ^ Brown 1973, pp. 42+45.
- ^ Brown 1973, p. 41.
- ^ Ireland 2007, p. 75.
- ^ Ovčáčík and Susa 2001, p. 3.
- ^ Thomas 2013, p. 25.
- ^ a b Bussy 2004, p. 7.
- ^ Bussy 2004, p. 37.
- ISBN 0-370-00065X.
- ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
Bibliography
- Bishop, Chris. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II., Sterling Publishing Company, 2002. ISBN 1-586-63762-2.
- Brown, David. Fairey Fulmar Mks I & II, Aircraft Number 254. London: Profile Publications, 1973. No ISBN.
- Brown, Eric, CBE, DCS, AFC, RN., William Green and Gordon Swanborough. "Fairey Fulmar". Wings of the Navy, Flying Allied Carrier Aircraft of World War Two. London: ISBN 0-7106-0002-X.
- Bussy, Geoffrey. Fairey Fulmar, Warpaint Series No.41. Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: Warpaint Books Ltd., 2004. No ISBN.
- Fredriksen, John C. International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914-2000. ABC-CLIO, 2001. ISBN 1-57607-364-5.
- Green, William. War Planes of the Second World War: Volume Two Fighters. London: Macdonald, 1961. No ISBN.
- Ireland, Bernard. Aircraft Carriers of the World: An Illustrated A-Z Guide To Over 150 Ships. London: Southwater, 2007. ISBN 978-1-84476-363-4.
- Lumsden, Alec. "Number Three: Fairey Fulmar." Aeroplane Monthly, June 1990.
- March, Daniel J. British Warplanes of World War II: Combat Aircraft of the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm, 1939–1945. Rochester, Kent, UK: Grange Books, 2000. ISBN 1-84013-391-0.
- Mason, Francis K. The British Bomber since 1914. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. ISBN 0-85177-861-5.
- Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 1-55750-082-7.
- Mason, Tim. The Secret Years: Flight Testing at Boscombe Down 1939–1945. Manchester, UK: Hikoki, 1998. ISBN 0-9519899-9-5.
- Ovčáčík, Michal and Karel Susa. Fairey Fulmar Mks. I, II, NF Mk. II, TT Mk. II. Prague, Czech Republic: Mark 1 Ltd., 2001. ISBN 80-902559-5-7.
- Scholefield, R.A. Manchester Airport. Stroud, UK: ISBN 0-7509-1954-X.
- Shores, Christopher; Brian Cull; Yasuho Izawa (1993). Bloody Shambles: Volume Two: The Defence of Sumatra to the Fall of Burma. Grub Street.
- Smith, Peter C. Mitsubishi Zero: Japan's Legendary Fighter. Pen and Sword, 2014. ISBN 1-4738-4688-9.
- Stephen, Martin (1988). Grove, Eric (ed.). Sea Battles in close-up : World War 2. Ian Allan ltd. ISBN 0-7110-1596-1..
- Taylor, John W.R. "Fairey Fulmar." Combat Aircraft of the World from 1909 to the present. New York: ISBN 0-425-03633-2.
- Thetford, Owen, British Naval Aircraft Since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1991. ISBN 978-1-55750-076-2.
- Thomas, Orr. Royal Navy Aces of World War 2. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2013. ISBN 1-47280-232-2.
- Winchester, Jim. "Fairey Fulmar." Aircraft of World War II (The Aviation Factfile). Kent, UK: Grange Books plc, 2004. ISBN 1-84013-639-1.
- Wragg, David W. Malta, the Last Great Siege. Casemate Publishers, 2003. ISBN 0-85052-990-5.
External links
- Fleet Air arm archive
- The Convoy Got Through – The Fulmar in action – Summer 1941 Archived 11 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Fairey Fulmar – British Aircraft Directory