Avions Fairey Fox IIIC
Avions Fairey · Belgium · first flew 1934 · fighter
The Fox IIIC was the most combat-capable of the Belgian Fox variants, fitted with a 20 mm Hispano cannon firing through the propeller hub in addition to conventional machine guns. It represented a formidable two-seat biplane fighter-bomber for its era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 9.6 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Cannon-armed fighter-bomber variant of Belgian Fox III
- Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine-mounted cannon firing through propeller hub
- Two-seat biplane with retractable or spatted undercarriage
Virtually identical externally to the Fox III but distinguished by the cannon installation visible as a barrel emerging from the propeller spinner area; the overall biplane profile is shared with all Fox variants.
Specifications
- The Avions Fairey Fox IIIC has a length of 9.6 m (31 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.58 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 320 km/h (199 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Avions Fairey developed the Fox IIIC to give the Belgian Air Force a potent multi-role aircraft capable of both ground attack and air combat. The engine-mounted cannon was an advanced feature shared with contemporary Dewoitine and Morane designs.
Variants
The IIIC was the definitive Belgian Fox variant; alongside it the IIIS served as the floatplane patrol version.
Where you'll see it
Equipped Belgian escadrilles in the latter half of the 1930s; some examples were operational at the start of the German invasion in May 1940, where they fought despite being outclassed by Messerschmitt fighters.
Related aircraft
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