Fairey Fox

The Fairey Fox was a British single‑engine, two‑seat biplane developed by the Fairey Aviation Company in the mid‑1920s. First flying in 1925, the aircraft was originally conceived as a fast bomber for the Royal Air Force, but its exceptional speed – powered by a 440 hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engine – allowed it to excel in the high‑altitude fighter‑reconnaissance role. Its sleek, all‑metal fuselage, staggered wings and lightweight construction gave the Fox a top speed of 170 mph, making it one of the fastest biplanes of its era. Although only a limited number entered RAF service, the type found extensive use abroad, especially in Poland where the Polish Air Force purchased several hundred under licence and produced them domestically as the PZL.33. The Fox's combination of speed, maneuverability and reliability influenced later Fairey designs such as the Gordon and the Swordfish, and demonstrated the advantages of metal airframes over traditional wood and fabric. Its operational record in the 1920s and early 1930s helped transition military aviation toward faster, more robust aircraft, marking the Fairey Fox as a pivotal step in interwar aviation development.

Fairey Aviation Company

Classification

Dimensions

Production & History

Design & Classification