Blackburn R.2 Airedale
Blackburn Aircraft · United Kingdom · first flew 1925 · light aircraft
The Blackburn R.2 Airedale was a British three-seat carrier-borne fleet spotter/reconnaissance biplane prototype of the mid-1920s, designed to specification 37/22 for the Fleet Air Arm.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.07 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Mid-1920s British carrier-borne reconnaissance aircraft prototype
- Single Napier Lion inline engine
- Three-seat biplane competing for FAA roles
Three-bay biplane with equal-span wings, a prominent inline engine installation, and typical 1920s naval aircraft features including folding wings for carrier stowage.
Specifications
- The Blackburn R.2 Airedale has a length of 11.07 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.02 m (46 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 193 km/h (120 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Blackburn submitted the Airedale to an Air Ministry specification for a fleet spotter reconnaissance aircraft in the early 1920s. First flown around 1925, the type competed without success against designs from other manufacturers. Only a small number of prototypes were built.
Variants
A small number of prototype aircraft were tested; no production variant was ordered.
Where you'll see it
The R.2 Airedale never entered Fleet Air Arm operational service.
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