Fulmar
Country | United Kingdom |
Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation |
Primary Role | Heavy Fighter |
Maiden Flight | 13 January 1937 |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseThe Fulmar carrier-borne fighter design encountered some design difficulties, but eventually was able to produce an acceptable prototype. An order for 127 aircraft was given in mid-1938, and production began in 1940. In Jul 1940, the British Royal Navy's No. 806 Squadron Fleet Air Arm aboard HMS Illustrious was given Fulmar aircraft; the pilots of the No. 806 Squadron noted the aircraft as too large and unwieldy when engaging in combat with single-seat land-based Axis fighters, though nevertheless they were successful on the Malta convoy missions, shooting down 10 Italian bombers and six Axis fighters by fall of 1940. In the Nov 1940 attack on Taranto, Italy, they flew top cover for the Swordfish torpedo bombers. Starting in 1942, modern designs slowly replaced Fulmar fighters in combat roles, but their high fuel capacity and the great range kept them in reconnaissance and convoy escort roles. Production of these aircraft ceased in Feb 1943 after 600 were built. On 8 Feb 1945, they were officially retired from service. Fulmar fighters destroyed a total of 112 aircraft during the war.
ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.
Last Major Revision: Jun 2008
SPECIFICATIONS
Mk II
Machinery | One Rolls-Royce Merlin 30 liquid-cooled inline V12 engine rated at 1,300hp |
Armament | 8x7.9mm forward Browning machine guns, optional 1x7.7mm rear Vickers K machine gun, 2x45kg bombs or 1x110kg bomb |
Crew | 2 |
Span | 14.13 m |
Length | 12.25 m |
Height | 4.27 m |
Wing Area | 32.00 m² |
Weight, Empty | 3,182 kg |
Weight, Loaded | 4,387 kg |
Weight, Maximum | 4,627 kg |
Speed, Maximum | 438 km/h |
Service Ceiling | 8,300 m |
Range, Normal | 780 km |
Photographs
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