F-24W-41

The Fairchild F‑24W‑41 is a late‑1930s evolution of the company’s celebrated Model 24 series, a rugged, high‑wing monoplane originally introduced in 1932 as a versatile liaison and utility aircraft. Developed under the “W‑41” designation in 1939, the variant incorporated a more powerful 185‑hp Warner Super Scarab radial engine, a strengthened fuselage, and a redesigned undercarriage that could accommodate wheels, skis, or floats without major modifications. These enhancements gave the aircraft a top speed of 145 mph, a service ceiling of 16 500 ft and a payload capacity of up to 1 200 lb, making it suitable for aerial photography, cargo runs, and short‑range passenger service in remote regions.

The F‑24W‑41 saw limited military use during World II, where it served as a light transport and communications plane for the U.S. Army Air Forces and several Allied air ministries. Its simplicity, ease of maintenance, and ability to operate from unprepared fields earned it a reputation for reliability in harsh environments such as the Alaskan frontier and the African desert. Post‑war, the type helped establish Fairchild’s reputation for building dependable utility aircraft, influencing later designs like the C‑119 and C‑123. Though only a few hundred were built, the F‑24W‑41 remains a noteworthy example of pre‑war American general‑aviation engineering that bridged civilian and military roles.