Fairey Seafox

Fairey Aviation Company · United Kingdom · first flew 1936 · light aircraft

The Fairey Seafox was a light reconnaissance floatplane designed to be catapulted from Royal Navy cruisers and light cruisers. Though underpowered and slow, it is best remembered for directing gunfire during the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.82 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Catapult-launched floatplane for Royal Navy cruisers
Sesquiplane biplane with very short lower wing
Enclosed pilot cockpit, open observer cockpit aft

A sesquiplane floatplane — the large upper wing dwarfs the tiny stub lower wing — with two large central floats and an unusual combination of enclosed pilot and open observer cockpits.

Specifications

The Fairey Seafox has a length of 10.82 m (35 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12.19 m (40 ft).
Its maximum speed is 201 km/h (125 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1936, the Seafox entered service in 1937 aboard British light cruisers. During the Battle of the River Plate, a Seafox from HMS Ajax spotted for the British squadron during the action against the Admiral Graf Spee, directing salvoes in the only major fleet action using catapult aircraft spotting. The type was soon retired as more capable aircraft became available.

Variants

A single production variant, the Seafox Mk I, was built; 64 aircraft were completed.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Royal Navy aboard several light cruisers from 1937 to approximately 1943, when the type was replaced.

Related aircraft

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