Flycatcher

The Fairey Flycatcher was a single‑seat carrier‑based fighter developed in the early 1920s for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Designed by the Fairey Aviation Company under the direction of Sir Richard Fairey, the prototype first flew on 29 March 1922 and entered service in 1925, remaining operational until the early 1930s. Its compact biplane layout featured a wooden fuselage with fabric covering, a single Bristol Jupiter radial engine delivering 440 hp, and staggered equal‑span wings that provided excellent maneuverability at low speeds—essential for shipboard take‑offs and landings. The aircraft incorporated Fairey’s patented “flying‑wire” control system and a sturdy undercarriage with a tailskid, allowing it to operate from the limited decks of early aircraft carriers such as HMS Eagle and HMS Courageous. With a maximum speed of 140 mph and a service ceiling of 23,000 ft, the Flycatcher proved reliable for fleet defence, reconnaissance, and pilot training. Its success helped establish carrier aviation as a viable component of naval power and influenced the design of later Fairey fighters like the Swordfish and Fulmar. The Flycatcher remains a celebrated example of interwar innovation and the evolution of naval air warfare.

Fairey Aviation Company

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