Fairey Albacore
Fairey Aviation · UK · first flew 1938 · bomber
The Fairey Albacore was a British carrier-borne torpedo bomber biplane intended to replace the Swordfish.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.14 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-radial torpedo biplane with enclosed cockpit
- Fleet Air Arm carrier type
- Intended Swordfish replacement
A single-radial biplane like the Swordfish but with a fully enclosed faired cockpit and cleaner lines.
Specifications
- The Fairey Albacore has a length of 12.14 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.24 m (50 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 259 km/h (161 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1938, it offered an enclosed cockpit and better performance but never fully supplanted the older Swordfish.
Variants
Essentially a single production type powered by the Bristol Taurus radial.
Where you'll see it
Flew with the Fleet Air Arm in the Mediterranean and elsewhere during the Second World War; a British type.
Related aircraft
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