Fairey Flycatcher
Fairey Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1922 · fighter
The Fairey Flycatcher was the Royal Navy's standard single-seat carrier fighter throughout the 1920s, notable for its ability to operate on wheels, floats, or as an amphibian.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.01 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Inter-war Royal Navy carrier fighter with gull-wing undercarriage fairings
- Could be fitted with floats or amphibious gear in place of wheels
- Radial engine in a stout single-bay biplane airframe
A compact single-bay biplane with a large radial engine, prominent fin, and the distinctive upward-cranked lower wing that helps with deck clearance; easily identified by the optional float undercarriage.
Specifications
- The Fairey Flycatcher has a length of 7.01 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 8.84 m (29 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 214 km/h (133 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Entering service in 1923, the Flycatcher equipped Fleet Air Arm fighter flights aboard carriers and battleships for over a decade, remaining in front-line service until 1934. It was well liked for its manoeuvrability.
Variants
Standard wheel-equipped, floatplane, and amphibian versions were produced; no major mark differences beyond undercarriage fit.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
Related aircraft
- Fairey Firefly I
- Fairey IIIF
- Fairey F.2
- Fairey Hamble Baby
- Curtiss TS-1
- Dewoitine D.1
- Gloster Nightjar
- Aero A.18
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