Fairey Primer

Primer
	Avions Fairey Tipsy M
Role	Basic trainer
National origin	Belgium
Manufacturer	Fairey Aviation
Designer	E.O. Tips
First flight	1938
Retired	c.1951
Number built	3

The Fairey Primer was a production version of the Avions Fairey Tipsy M tandem seat single-engined basic trainer. Two production aircraft were completed in the late 1940s.

Development

In the 1930s, designer

Fairey Aviation's Belgian subsidiary, Avions Fairey produced a series of light aircraft named after him, starting with the Tipsy S.^[1] These aircraft were not built by Fairey Aviation. The last to emerge before the Occupation of Belgium in 1940 was the Tipsy M ab initio

trainer. Post war, the parent company decided, uniquely to produce this aircraft, calling it the Fairey Primer.[2] Only one Tipsy M had been produced in Belgium and this became the Primer prototype.

The Primer was a conventional single-engined, low-winged monoplane, constructed of welded metal tubes with wood in subsidiary structures like ribs and stringers, all fabric covered. The wings were quite symmetrically tapered and carried manually operated flaps across the centre section. Mild

dihedral began outside the centre section. Each mainwheel, equipped with brakes was mounted on a single leg fixed at the end of the centre section. On the prototype the wheels were spatted, but these were removed on production aircraft. There was a small tailwheel below the fin. The rudder was horn balanced and the starboard elevator carried a trim tab.^[2]

The enclosed tandem dual control cockpits merged into a raised decking behind them, giving the aircraft a smooth but slightly humped look. Both cockpits were over the wing. The engines used by Primers, the 145 hp (108 kW) de Havilland Gipsy Major 10 and the 155 hp (116 kW) Blackburn Cirrus Major 3 were inverted in-line engines and ran in similar cowlings.^[2]

Operational history

The Tipsy M, registered OO-POM and Gipsy powered, first flew at Avions Fairey's works at

Boscombe Down.^[4]

When returned from Boscombe Down, the Primer prototype had to be stripped down in order to recreate the lost drawings and jigs.

de Havilland Chipmunk at Boscombe Down. The last of the line, it was dismantled in 1951.^[4]^[9]

Specifications (Gipsy Major 10)

Data from Taylor 1974, pp. 381

General characteristics

Crew: 2
Length: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 10 in (10.0 m)
Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Wing area: 154.5 sq ft (14.36 m²)
Empty weight: 1,360 lb (617 kg)
Gross weight: 1,960 lb (890 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × de Havilland Gipsy 10 air-cooled 4-cylinder inverted inline , 145 hp (108 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 134 mph (215 km/h, 116 kn) at sea level
Cruise speed: 122 mph (196 km/h, 106 kn) at 2,3000 rm
Range: 383 mi (616 km, 333 nmi)
Service ceiling: 19,500 ft (5,943 m)
Rate of climb: 900 ft/min (4.57 m/s) at sea level

References

Notes

^ Taylor 1974, pp. 39–44
^ ^a ^b ^c Taylor 1974, pp. 378–381
^ ^a ^b Taylor 1974, pp. 42
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Taylor 1974, pp. 381
^ ^a ^b Taylor 1974, pp. 379
^ Taylor 1974, pp. 380
^ "CAA G-AKSX" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
^ "CAA G-ALBL" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.
^ "CAA G-ALEW" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.

Bibliography

Taylor, H. A. (1974). Fairey Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam Publishing.
ISBN 0-370-00065-X
.

[1] Taylor 1974, pp. 39–44

[Primer-2] Taylor 1974, pp. 378–381

[Tay42-3] Taylor 1974, pp. 42

[Primer381-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Taylor 1974, pp. 381

[Primer379-5] Taylor 1974, pp. 379

[6] Taylor 1974, pp. 380

[7] "CAA G-AKSX" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.

[8] "CAA G-ALBL" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.

[9] "CAA G-ALEW" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2009.

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