Fairey III
Fairey Aviation · UK · first flew 1917 · bomber
The Fairey III was a long-lived family of British general-purpose biplanes used for reconnaissance, bombing, and spotting.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.23 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- General-purpose two-bay biplane family
- Single in-line or radial engine
- Wheeled or floatplane configurations
A conventional biplane, most recognisable in IIIF form with its long tidy fuselage and in-line engine.
Specifications
- The Fairey III has a length of 11.23 m (37 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 13.94 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
Originating in 1917, the line evolved through many marks, of which the Napier Lion-powered IIIF was the most numerous.
Variants
Ranged from the IIIA through the widely built IIIF and related Gordon and Seal developments.
Where you'll see it
Served the RAF and Fleet Air Arm through the 1920s and 1930s in many roles; a British type.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.