Fairey Long Range Monoplane
Fairey Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1928 · light aircraft
The Fairey Long Range Monoplane was a purpose-built British aircraft of 1928 designed to attempt long-distance flight records, particularly aimed at a non-stop flight to South Africa. Its large wing and massive fuel capacity were optimised entirely for endurance.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Single Napier Lion engine in elongated fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Purpose-built 1928 long-range record monoplane
- Single Napier Lion engine in elongated fuselage
- Large fuel capacity with uncluttered mid-wing
An unusually long, clean monoplane with a very large wingspan relative to its fuselage, single nose-mounted Napier Lion engine, and a notably deep fuselage housing extensive fuel tanks.
Specifications
- The Fairey Long Range Monoplane has a length of 14.5 m (48 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 25 m (82 ft).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Two examples were built for the RAF under Air Ministry contract. The first crashed in 1929 during a record attempt. The second, with a revised design, successfully flew non-stop from Cranwell to South Africa in February 1933, covering 8,544 km — a then-world record for distance in a straight line. The crew was Squadron Leader O.R. Gayford and Flight Lieutenant G.E. Nicholetts.
Variants
Two aircraft were built; the second incorporated lessons from the loss of the first, including a revised tail.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the RAF solely for record-breaking purposes; the surviving aircraft is preserved at the RAF Museum Cosford.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.