Fairey Firefly - overview of versions
Fairey Firefly F Mk.I
On-board escort fighter and attack aircraft for the FAA, developed as a replacement for Fairey Fulmar at the beginning of the war.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.I
The night fighter variant produced since 1944 in parallel with the F Mk.Also, differing from day fighter version of the sleeve for radar ASH (AN/APS-4) under the bow, with the main screen in the space of radio operators and auxiliary screen in the cockpit, and covers exhausts. Four of the "black squadron" was later allocated to squadrons equipped with the standard FR Mk.Also.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.I
Fighter, reconnaissance and battle variant, which gradually replaced the F Mk.Even in production, differing only in the capsule for radar ASH under the bow (as opposed to the NF Mk.I, however, used in the mode for monitoring the surface). From most machines, the previous version is distinguished also higher overlapping of the pilot cabin. Up to the beginning of the Korean war the standard two-seater fighter aircraft of the FAA.
Fairey Firefly F Mk.IA
Then, what the role of the on-board fighters took over Seafiry, Corsairy and Hellcaty was part of the Firefly F Mk.Even subsequently rebuilt to a standard FR. Mk.I and renamed the F Mk.IA.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.1
variant for advanced pilot training, arising out of the came of private initiative of the company Fairey. Space radio operator was replaced by a raised second pilot of the cab and was removed of all weaponry, only a few of the machines had kept the two canons. For the FAA it was after vákce rebuilt 36 machines F Mk.I / FR Mk.Also, another 5 were using the conversion sets were converted for the Dutch naval air force by Aviolanda.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.1
After the end of the war was Faireyem offered to the remodeling of surplus Mk.Even on the aircraft for towing aerial targets. In 1947 it was rebuilt 19 aircraft for the company Svensk Flygjanst, which operated tow planes for the Swedish air force, the other two machines arose in 1951 for the air force, the Danish, which, through the use of conversion sets rebuilt also two FR Mk.I bought from Canada. Five machines was in 1954 rebuilt for the Indian air force.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.II
The original fighter variant, whose prototype flew in April 1943. Equipped with was the radar AI Mk.X in a gondola on the wing, and because of posunutému the center of gravity was bow extended about 18 inches (45.7 cm). Production was discontinued in June 1944, after 37 machines because of the very problematic radar and poor handling and replaced by the redevelopment of much simpler NF Mk.Also. All were rebuilt to the standard Mk.Also, only a few of them shortly service flown by the Naval Night Fighter Interception Unit.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.2
F Mk.I / FR Mk.II converted to drones for weapons training. Space radio operators were again replaced by a second cockpit, the machine but retained the two 20mm canons and the opportunity to wear 227kg bombs, flares, etc. the first T Mk.2 took off 12. August 1949, and for the FAA was rebuilt 54 machines.
Fairey Firefly F Mk.III
A prototype one-seater fighter version with the engine Griffon 61, rebuilt from 10. F Mk.Also. First flew in the spring of 1943, because of the unsatisfactory results was but in December 1944, the development ended and the machine was rebuilt on one of the prototypes version of the FR Mk.4.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.3
The third and final trainer variant based on the FR Mk.Also, this time for training observers. The rear cockpit is equipped with an aftermarket of the next device, was removed armament and landing a hook. In the years 1949 and 1951 was for the FAA rebuilt about 50 machines.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.4
The second main fighter-reconnaissance variant, with a shortened wing, engine Griffon 74 and the radiator moved to the wings. Radar ASV moved to the nacelle on the leading edge of the right wing, the left was in a similar gondola fuel tank. Adjusted was also the shape of the rudder. Serial production was started in September 1946 and at the prvoliniových squadrons flew until 1950.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.4
a small amount of the FR Mk.4 modified for night fighting, differing only minutely from the basic version.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.4
Conversion for towing targets for the FAA, was rebuilt 28 machines, the other five were shipped to Australia and using the conversion sets were converted less the amount of FR Mk.4 operated by the Netherlands and Australia.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.5
Modified fighter-reconnaissance successor of the FR Mk.4, differing mainly by the hydraulic tilting of the wings instead of the current manual and better protection of the radar from vibration. This version was re-equipped with a large part of the naval squadrons at the time of the outbreak of the Korean war.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.5
The night fighter variant of the Mk.5, differing in the usual bedside equipment, such as covers of the exhausts, but newly also by a radio altimeter ARI 5284 and radar ARI 5664 ("Monica") warning prior to the aircraft approaching from behind.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.5
Anti-submarine variant of the Mk.5 of 1949, a different radio altimeter ARI 5284 and options carry sonobóje and depth. Many for service in Korea converted to a standard FR.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.6
Anti-submarine variant of the directly emanating from the Mk.5, with longer podvozkovými legs, the ability to carry both the british and american sonobóje, a total of 16 unguided rockets and lacking kanonovou armament. The first of 133 serial aircraft took off 23. may 1949, the 56 machines was adapted from Mk.5.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.6
Four australian machines, modified for towing targets in a similar way as the TT Mk.4.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.7
A makeshift anti-submarine variant, created for bridging the period until the arrival of the Gannetů. In production since 1951, the Mk.7 should a new wing, two-seater, rear cockpit, engine Griffon 59 with the semi-circular radiator under the bow, a new sign and not an offensive armament. Production was terminated after 151 machines, due to poor flight characteristics and unsuitability for landing on the deck of the ship.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.7
Indications for AS Mk.7 after they have been replaced with the much more appropriate Avengers AS Mk.4 and reassigned to the coastal base to the training of the observers and radar operators.
Fairey Firefly U Mk.8
Between the years 1953-1956 was rebuilt 8 T Mk.7 on unmanned flying target practice for their missile tests at the range in Llanbedru, 32 machines were built newly.
Fairey Firefly U Mk.9
From the year 1956 was a similar way to the flying target adapted 40 of the machines Mk.5. Most were flying from the base of Hal Far in Malta.
Source:
Bussy, Geoffrey. Fairey Firefly F.Mk.1 it At.Mk.9, Warpaint Series 28. Hall Park Books, Milton Keynes, 2001. ISBN 0-9999-00284.
Harrison, William And. Fairey Firefly in Action, In Action Well.200. Squadron/Signal Publications, Carrollton, Texas, 2006. ISBN 0-89747-501-1.
Luranc, Zbigniew. Fairey Firefly MK I, Skrzydla w Miniaturze 9. Avia-Press, Gdańsk 1994.
Luranc, Zbigniew. Firefly Mk II - Mk 8, Skrzydła w Miniaturze 10. Avia-Press, Gdańsk 1994.
Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft since 1912 Naval Institute Press, Annapolis 1991. ISBN 1-55750-076-2.
www.historyofwar.org.
Fairey Firefly F Mk.I
On-board escort fighter and attack aircraft for the FAA, developed as a replacement for Fairey Fulmar at the beginning of the war.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.I
The night fighter variant produced since 1944 in parallel with the F Mk.Also, differing from day fighter version of the sleeve for radar ASH (AN/APS-4) under the bow, with the main screen in the space of radio operators and auxiliary screen in the cockpit, and covers exhausts. Four of the "black squadron" was later allocated to squadrons equipped with the standard FR Mk.Also.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.I
Fighter, reconnaissance and battle variant, which gradually replaced the F Mk.Even in production, differing only in the capsule for radar ASH under the bow (as opposed to the NF Mk.I, however, used in the mode for monitoring the surface). From most machines, the previous version is distinguished also higher overlapping of the pilot cabin. Up to the beginning of the Korean war the standard two-seater fighter aircraft of the FAA.
Fairey Firefly F Mk.IA
Then, what the role of the on-board fighters took over Seafiry, Corsairy and Hellcaty was part of the Firefly F Mk.Even subsequently rebuilt to a standard FR. Mk.I and renamed the F Mk.IA.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.1
variant for advanced pilot training, arising out of the came of private initiative of the company Fairey. Space radio operator was replaced by a raised second pilot of the cab and was removed of all weaponry, only a few of the machines had kept the two canons. For the FAA it was after vákce rebuilt 36 machines F Mk.I / FR Mk.Also, another 5 were using the conversion sets were converted for the Dutch naval air force by Aviolanda.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.1
After the end of the war was Faireyem offered to the remodeling of surplus Mk.Even on the aircraft for towing aerial targets. In 1947 it was rebuilt 19 aircraft for the company Svensk Flygjanst, which operated tow planes for the Swedish air force, the other two machines arose in 1951 for the air force, the Danish, which, through the use of conversion sets rebuilt also two FR Mk.I bought from Canada. Five machines was in 1954 rebuilt for the Indian air force.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.II
The original fighter variant, whose prototype flew in April 1943. Equipped with was the radar AI Mk.X in a gondola on the wing, and because of posunutému the center of gravity was bow extended about 18 inches (45.7 cm). Production was discontinued in June 1944, after 37 machines because of the very problematic radar and poor handling and replaced by the redevelopment of much simpler NF Mk.Also. All were rebuilt to the standard Mk.Also, only a few of them shortly service flown by the Naval Night Fighter Interception Unit.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.2
F Mk.I / FR Mk.II converted to drones for weapons training. Space radio operators were again replaced by a second cockpit, the machine but retained the two 20mm canons and the opportunity to wear 227kg bombs, flares, etc. the first T Mk.2 took off 12. August 1949, and for the FAA was rebuilt 54 machines.
Fairey Firefly F Mk.III
A prototype one-seater fighter version with the engine Griffon 61, rebuilt from 10. F Mk.Also. First flew in the spring of 1943, because of the unsatisfactory results was but in December 1944, the development ended and the machine was rebuilt on one of the prototypes version of the FR Mk.4.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.3
The third and final trainer variant based on the FR Mk.Also, this time for training observers. The rear cockpit is equipped with an aftermarket of the next device, was removed armament and landing a hook. In the years 1949 and 1951 was for the FAA rebuilt about 50 machines.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.4
The second main fighter-reconnaissance variant, with a shortened wing, engine Griffon 74 and the radiator moved to the wings. Radar ASV moved to the nacelle on the leading edge of the right wing, the left was in a similar gondola fuel tank. Adjusted was also the shape of the rudder. Serial production was started in September 1946 and at the prvoliniových squadrons flew until 1950.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.4
a small amount of the FR Mk.4 modified for night fighting, differing only minutely from the basic version.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.4
Conversion for towing targets for the FAA, was rebuilt 28 machines, the other five were shipped to Australia and using the conversion sets were converted less the amount of FR Mk.4 operated by the Netherlands and Australia.
Fairey Firefly FR Mk.5
Modified fighter-reconnaissance successor of the FR Mk.4, differing mainly by the hydraulic tilting of the wings instead of the current manual and better protection of the radar from vibration. This version was re-equipped with a large part of the naval squadrons at the time of the outbreak of the Korean war.
Fairey Firefly NF Mk.5
The night fighter variant of the Mk.5, differing in the usual bedside equipment, such as covers of the exhausts, but newly also by a radio altimeter ARI 5284 and radar ARI 5664 ("Monica") warning prior to the aircraft approaching from behind.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.5
Anti-submarine variant of the Mk.5 of 1949, a different radio altimeter ARI 5284 and options carry sonobóje and depth. Many for service in Korea converted to a standard FR.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.6
Anti-submarine variant of the directly emanating from the Mk.5, with longer podvozkovými legs, the ability to carry both the british and american sonobóje, a total of 16 unguided rockets and lacking kanonovou armament. The first of 133 serial aircraft took off 23. may 1949, the 56 machines was adapted from Mk.5.
Fairey Firefly TT Mk.6
Four australian machines, modified for towing targets in a similar way as the TT Mk.4.
Fairey Firefly AS Mk.7
A makeshift anti-submarine variant, created for bridging the period until the arrival of the Gannetů. In production since 1951, the Mk.7 should a new wing, two-seater, rear cockpit, engine Griffon 59 with the semi-circular radiator under the bow, a new sign and not an offensive armament. Production was terminated after 151 machines, due to poor flight characteristics and unsuitability for landing on the deck of the ship.
Fairey Firefly T Mk.7
Indications for AS Mk.7 after they have been replaced with the much more appropriate Avengers AS Mk.4 and reassigned to the coastal base to the training of the observers and radar operators.
Fairey Firefly U Mk.8
Between the years 1953-1956 was rebuilt 8 T Mk.7 on unmanned flying target practice for their missile tests at the range in Llanbedru, 32 machines were built newly.
Fairey Firefly U Mk.9
From the year 1956 was a similar way to the flying target adapted 40 of the machines Mk.5. Most were flying from the base of Hal Far in Malta.
Source:
Bussy, Geoffrey. Fairey Firefly F.Mk.1 it At.Mk.9, Warpaint Series 28. Hall Park Books, Milton Keynes, 2001. ISBN 0-9999-00284.
Harrison, William And. Fairey Firefly in Action, In Action Well.200. Squadron/Signal Publications, Carrollton, Texas, 2006. ISBN 0-89747-501-1.
Luranc, Zbigniew. Fairey Firefly MK I, Skrzydla w Miniaturze 9. Avia-Press, Gdańsk 1994.
Luranc, Zbigniew. Firefly Mk II - Mk 8, Skrzydła w Miniaturze 10. Avia-Press, Gdańsk 1994.
Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft since 1912 Naval Institute Press, Annapolis 1991. ISBN 1-55750-076-2.
www.historyofwar.org.