Fairey Fantôme

The Fairey Fantôme, also known as the Fairey Féroce, was a British fighter prototype of the mid-1930s. The prototype was designed and built by Fairey Aviation and three production aircraft were assembled in Belgium by Avions Fairey.

Fantôme
Role Fighter
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Avions Fairey
Designer Marcel Lobelle
First flight 6 June 1935
Number built 4

Development

The Fantôme was designed in 1934 by Marcel Lobelle to meet a specification drawn up on behalf of the Belgian Aéronautique Militaire who were to hold an international competition to find a replacement for the Fairey Firefly II. It was of all-metal construction, with fabric skinning and a 925 hp (690 kW) Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs engine, with provision for one 20 mm engine-mounted cannon and two .30 in (7.62 mm) wing-mounted Browning machine guns.

Operational history

The Fantôme first flew on 6 June 1935; however, it crashed at Evere on 17 July of that year. However, Fairey had already produced parts and components for three other aircraft. These were shipped to Belgium in 1936 and completed under the name Fairey Féroce at Gosselies. Two of these were sold to the Soviet government; which later gave them to the Spanish Republican air force to aid with the Spanish Civil War. The fourth aircraft returned to Britain where it was acquired by the British Air Ministry, and no further production was undertaken.

Operators

 United Kingdom

 Soviet Union

 Spain

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 8.40 m (27 ft 7 in)
  • Wingspan: 10.52 m (34 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 3.45 m (11 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 25.36 m2 (273.00 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 1,134 kg (2,500 lb)
  • Gross weight: 1,869 kg (4,120 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs , 690 kW (925 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 435 km/h (270 mph, 230 kn)
  • Cruise speed: 350 km/h (217 mph, 189 kn)
  • Endurance: 2 hours 0 minutes

Armament

References
    • Green, William; Gordon Swanborough. The Complete Book of Fighters. Godalming, UK: Salamander Books. p. 44.
    • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.
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