Fairey F.2
Fairey Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1917 · fighter
The Fairey F.2 was a British two-seat fighter biplane of World War I, designed for the Royal Naval Air Service as a fleet defence and patrol aircraft. It was one of Fairey's earliest fighter designs and flew in 1917.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.34 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI British biplane fighter/floatplane prototype
- Fairey's first fighter design of 1917
- Evaluated by the Royal Navy as a fleet fighter
A large two-seat biplane with broad equal-span wings; the substantial wingspan of over 23 m is unusually large for a single-engine fighter of the period, reflecting its naval patrol heritage.
Specifications
- The Fairey F.2 has a length of 12.34 m (40 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 23.47 m (77 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to meet an RNAS requirement for a two-seat fighter, the F.2 was evaluated in 1917 but not selected for production. Fairey's reputation was built primarily on torpedo and patrol aircraft during this period; the F.2 represented a less successful foray into the fighter category. Only prototype aircraft were completed.
Variants
No production variants followed the prototype.
Where you'll see it
The Fairey F.2 did not enter operational RNAS or RFC service. Being a UK-origin aircraft, it is genuinely relevant to British aviation heritage.
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- Fairey IIIF
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- AEG D.I
- Albatros C.X
- Albatros C.XII
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