Fairey Spearfish
Fairey Aviation · United Kingdom · first flew 1945 · bomber
The Fairey Spearfish was a British carrier-based, single-engined torpedo bomber and dive bomber ordered for the Fleet Air Arm during the Second World War. It was much larger than earlier naval bombers.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 13.59 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large single-engined carrier torpedo and dive bomber
- Mid-wing monoplane
- Remote-controlled dorsal barbette
A big single-radial mid-wing naval bomber with an internal weapons bay and a remote-controlled dorsal barbette.
Specifications
- The Fairey Spearfish has a length of 13.59 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18.36 m (60 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 470 km/h (292 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The prototype first flew on 5 July 1945. It was designed for the large Malta-class carriers, which were cancelled after the war, and the aircraft was cancelled with them.
Variants
Seven prototypes were ordered, but only five were built, of which four flew.
Where you'll see it
The aircraft were mostly used for experimental work. The last was scrapped in 1952.
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- Fairey Gannet
- Fairey Fulmar
- Fairey Albacore
- Fairey P.4/34
- Canadian Car and Foundry SBW-5 Helldiver
- CASA 2.111
- Curtiss XBTC-1
- DAR 10F
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