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Fairchild Aircraft

From Alfawiki
Fairchild
Company typePublic
IndustryAerospace manufacturing
Founded1924
FounderSherman Fairchild
Defunct2003
Headquarters
Farmingdale, New York; Hagerstown, Maryland; San Antonio, Texas
,
United States
ProductsAircraft, missiles, spacecraft

Fairchild was a prominent American aerospace manufacturer, with headquarters located at different times in Farmingdale, New York, Hagerstown, Maryland, and San Antonio, Texas.

Initial Aircraft Developments

Established in 1924 by entrepreneur Sherman Fairchild as Fairchild Aviation Corporation in Farmingdale, New York, the company served as the organizational foundation for Fairchild’s aviation enterprises. It was responsible for producing the first American aircraft equipped with a fully enclosed cockpit and hydraulic landing gear, known as the Fairchild FC-1. The company was also referred to as the Fairchild Aircraft Manufacturing Company.

Operating from 1920 to 1950, the Canadian branch, Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. based in Longueuil, Quebec, contributed to the firm’s international presence. The Fairchild Engine Company originated through the acquisition of Caminez Engine Company in 1925. In 1929, Sherman Fairchild expanded operations by acquiring a controlling interest in Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Company located in Hagerstown, Maryland; this led to the company’s relocation there in 1931.

Fairchild focused its business model on producing specialized aircraft designed for aerial photography, beginning with the FC-1 and advancing to models such as the Fairchild 71. This specialization met industry needs for stable flight performance at higher altitudes. In 1935, Fairchild secured a government contract to perform aerial surveys for mapping soil erosion across the United States, underscoring its influence within government aerospace projects.

A notable achievement includes a Fairchild FC-2 supporting explorer Richard E. Byrd’s Antarctic Expedition, demonstrating the aircraft’s dependability under extreme conditions.

World War II Era

Throughout World War II, Fairchild manufactured military training aircraft including the PT-19/PT-23/PT-26 (Cornell) series and the AT-21 Gunner, alongside transport planes such as the C-82 Packet and unmanned drones. Production of the AT-21 took place at a repurposed rayon mill facility in Burlington, North Carolina. The Fairchild 24 (designated C-61/Argus) was produced extensively for use by the Royal Air Force and later adapted for civilian applications. During this period, Fairchild ranked 73rd among U.S. companies in terms of military production contracts awarded.

Postwar Developments

The C-82 Packet was developed into the C-119 Flying Boxcar, a versatile transport aircraft utilized by the USAF, Royal Canadian Air Force, and other operators; over 1,100 units were constructed by 1955. Many of these aircraft were later modified for use as waterbombers.

In 1949, under its designation as Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation based in Hagerstown, Maryland, the company transformed the Chase XCG-20 glider into the C-123 Provider transport aircraft entering service in 1955. The acquisition of American Helicopter Company occurred in 1954, integrating it as a division within Fairchild. By 1956, Fairchild had obtained licensing rights to produce the Fokker Friendship aircraft under its own branding as the Fairchild F-27 and FH-227 models, manufacturing a total of 206 units. Throughout the 1950s and beyond, Fairchild played a significant role as a subcontractor for Boeing by supplying fuselage sections and wing components for B-52 bombers; later contributions included producing tail assemblies for McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighters, Grumman F-14 Tomcat tails, and stabilizers for NASA’s Space Shuttle.

The company acquired Hiller Aircraft in 1964 and rebranded itself as Fairchild Hiller, producing the FH-1100 helicopter until divesting this division back to Stanley Hiller in 1973. In 1965, Fairchild further expanded by purchasing Republic Aviation Company.

Following founder Sherman Mills Fairchild’s passing, the corporation was renamed Fairchild Industries in 1971. This restructuring consolidated multiple divisions including Fairchild Aircraft Marketing, Fairchild Republic, Space and Electronics Group, Stratos Division, Burns Aero Seat Company, Fairchild Arms International, along with international subsidiaries such as Fairchild Aviation Asia and Europe.

Subsequent acquisitions included Swearingen Aircraft which led to production of the successful commuter airliner Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner; military variants were designated as C-26 Metroliner. In 1971, development commenced on the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II at Germantown, Maryland; it emerged victorious over Northrop’s YA-9 during the A-X competition with a production total of 716 units.

Fairchild also developed the T-46 jet trainer intended to replace the Cessna T-37 but ultimately lost Air Force approval due to performance shortcomings. The partnership with Boeing persisted into the 1980s through manufacturing wing control surfaces for both 747 and 757 aircraft.

Aircraft production at Hagerstown ceased in 1984.

After acquiring Dornier’s civil aviation assets in 1996, the firm rebranded as Fairchild Dornier, commencing licensed production of Dornier 328 aircraft from Deutsche Aerospace AG starting in 1998.

In December 1999, German insurer Allianz A.G. together with investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice purchased Fairchild Aerospace Corporation for $1.2 billion.

M7 Aerospace acquired Fairchild’s assets in 2003 and shifted operations to San Antonio.

On December 15, 2010, Elbit Systems’ U.S. subsidiary completed acquisition of M7 Aerospace. Since then M7 has concentrated on aerospace component manufacturing and support services rather than complete aircraft production.

Aircraft

Model designation Maiden flight Quantity produced Category
Fairchild FC-1 1926 1 Monoplane with four-passenger enclosed cabin
Fairchild FC-2 1926 118 Four-passenger enclosed cabin monoplane
Fairchild 71 1926 111 Monoplane featuring an eight-passenger cabin
Fairchild 42 1927 8 Three-passenger enclosed cabin monoplane
Fairchild 21 1927 2 Biplane seating two occupants
Fairchild KR-34 1928 >73 Two-seat biplane configuration
Fairchild 100 1930 27 Airliner accommodating nine passengers
Fairchild 22 1931 127 Parasol monoplane with two seats
Fairchild 24 1932 2,232 Four-passenger cabin monoplane design
Fairchild 91 1935 4 Flying boat airliner model
Fairchild Model 45 1935 17 Enclosed cabin monoplane
Fairchild PT-19 1939 6,397 Trainer aircraft type
Fairchild AT-21 Gunner 1943 175 Aircraft used for training purposes
Fairchild BQ-3 1944 2 Assault unmanned drone aircraft
Fairchild C-82 Packet 1944 223 Military transport plane
Fairchild M-84 1945 1 Family aircraft for four to five passengers
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar 1947 1,183 Transport aircraft for military use
Fairchild XNQ 1949 2 Trainer aircraft model
Fairchild C-123 Provider 1949 307 Military transport plane
Fairchild XC-120 Packplane 1950 1 Prototype military transport aircraft
Fairchild Hiller F-27, FH-227 1958 206 Turboprop commuter airliner variant
Fairchild VZ-5 1959 1 Experimental VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft
Fairchild 228 1968 2 Prototype regional jet airliner
Fairchild-Swearingen Merlin 1965 Corporate turboprop aircraft model
Fairchild FH-227 1956 79 Turboprop passenger airliner
Fairchild-Hiller FH-1100 1966 253 Turbine-powered helicopter model
Fairchild AC-119 1968 52 Ground attack version of the C-119
Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner/C-26 1968 600 Turboprop passenger airliner
Fairchild AU-23 Peacemaker 1971 35 Aircraft designed for counter-insurgency missions
Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II 1972 716 Aircraft specialized in close air support roles
Fairchild T-46 1985 3 Trainer aircraft variant
Fairchild-Dornier 328JET 1991 110 Jet-powered commuter airliner
Fairchild-Dornier 428JET 2001 (planned) 0 Regional jet project that was cancelled
Fairchild-Dornier 728JET 2002 (planned) 0 Prototype commuter jet initiative


Missile Systems

Spacecraft

Related Topics

Bibliography

  • Donald, David, editor. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. .

External Resources

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