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Fairey Aviation Company

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Fairey Aviation Company Limited
Company typePrivate company
IndustryAircraft manufacturing, Mechanical engineering, Boat construction
Founded1915
FounderCharles Richard Fairey, Ernest Oscar Tips
Defunct1977 (entered receivership)
FateAircraft manufacturing division acquired by Westland Aircraft in 1960; company entered receivership in 1977
SuccessorWestland Aircraft (aircraft manufacturing division), FBM Babcock Marine, Spectris, WFEL (Williams Fairey Engineering Limited)
Headquarters
Hayes, Middlesex; Heaton Chapel, Cheshire; RAF Ringway, Cheshire
,
United Kingdom
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Charles Richard Fairey (founder)
ProductsMilitary aircraft (Fairey III series, Swordfish, Firefly, Gannet), naval aircraft, bombers, missiles, mechanical engineering products, boats


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The Fairey Aviation Company Limited was a prominent British aircraft manufacturer during the early to mid-20th century, operating from locations in Hayes, Middlesex, as well as Heaton Chapel and RAF Ringway in Cheshire. The company was responsible for designing several significant military aircraft models, such as the Fairey III series, the Swordfish, Firefly, and Gannet. It established a strong foothold in producing naval aircraft and also contributed bombers to the Royal Air Force.

Following the conclusion of World War II, Fairey expanded its operations into mechanical engineering and boat construction. In 1960, its aircraft manufacturing division was acquired by Westland Aircraft. Over subsequent mergers and acquisitions, the main successor entities emerging from Fairey’s legacy include FBM Babcock Marine, Spectris, and WFEL (formerly Williams Fairey Engineering Limited), with WFEL specializing in portable bridge manufacturing.

History

Established in 1915 by Charles Richard Fairey (later Sir Richard Fairey) together with Belgian engineer Ernest Oscar Tips after leaving Short Brothers, the company initially produced aircraft under license or as a subcontractor based on designs from other manufacturers.[lower-roman 1] The first carrier-capable aircraft designed and manufactured specifically by Fairey was the Fairey Campania, a patrol seaplane that had its maiden flight in February 1917. In the third report of the Royal Commission on Awards to Inventors, featured in Flight magazine on 15 January 1925, C. R. Fairey and Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd were granted £4,000 for their development work on the Hamble Baby seaplane.

Over time, Fairey designed numerous aircraft types and, post-World War II, ventured into missile development.

The Propeller Division—known as Fairey-Reed Airscrews—was based at the Hayes facility and utilized designs derived from patents by Sylvanus Albert Reed. C. R. Fairey became acquainted with Reed’s propeller technology in the mid-1920s while exploring applications for the Curtiss D-12 engine; Curtiss also produced propellers based on Reed's designs. Another example of collaborating with independent innovators was the adoption of flaps developed by Robert Talbot Youngman[lower-roman 2] (Fairey-Youngman flaps), which enhanced maneuverability for many Fairey aircraft as well as those from other manufacturers.Template:Fix/category[citation needed]

Aircraft manufacturing was mainly concentrated at the North Hyde Road factory in Hayes, Middlesex. Flight testing operations took place at various airfields: from Northolt Aerodrome (1917–1929), through to Great West Aerodrome (1930–1944), then at Heston Airport (1944–1947), and ultimately at White Waltham (1947–1964).[1] The compulsory requisition of Great West Aerodrome in 1944 by the Air Ministry for constructing London Heathrow Airport—without compensation until 1964—dealt a significant financial blow that may have accelerated the company’s decline.

Among notable aircraft produced at Hayes during the late 1930s and World War II was the famous Swordfish. The prototype of the vertical takeoff airliner, the Fairey Rotodyne, was also assembled there in 1957.[2] After merging with Westland Helicopters, helicopter models such as the Westland Wasp and Westland Scout were manufactured at Hayes during the 1960s.[3]

File:Fairey Barracuda TF.V RK558 Fairey Ringway 05.46 edited-2.jpg
Fairey Barracuda TF.V built at Stockport/Ringway displayed at Manchester Airport in May 1946

To meet growing military orders from the UK government during the mid-1930s, Fairey acquired a large manufacturing site in Heaton Chapel, Stockport in 1935. This facility had previously served as the World War I-era National Aircraft Factory No. 2. The company developed flight test infrastructure at Manchester's Ringway Airport, with initial operations commencing in June 1937. A limited number of Hendon monoplane bombers produced at Stockport were flown from Manchester's Barton Aerodrome in 1936.[4] Mass production of Battle light bombers began at Stockport/Ringway around mid-1937. During World War II, large quantities of Fulmar fighters and Barracuda dive-bombers were also manufactured there. Additionally, Fairey's northern factories built approximately 498 Bristol Beaufighters and over 660 Handley Page Halifax bombersTemplate:Where?. In the postwar period, naval aircraft such as the Firefly and Gannet were produced alongside subcontracted jet fighters including de Havilland's Vampire and Venom models. Aircraft production and modifications at Stockport and Ringway ceased operations in 1960.[5]

File:Fairey Gannet AS.4 XA417 Ringway 15.06.56 edited-2.jpg
Fairey's Gannet AS.4 built at Stockport/Ringway in 1956

On March 13, 1959, Flight magazine reported plans to restructure Fairey Aviation Ltd by consolidating all UK aircraft-related manufacturing into a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary named Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd. This reorganization aimed to focus aviation activities—including work on the Fairey Rotodyne—within a dedicated entity effective April 1, 1959. Concurrently, it was proposed that the parent company be renamed Fairey Co. Ltd to oversee general engineering endeavors through Stockport Aviation Co. Ltd., which would be rebranded as Fairey Engineering Ltd. This restructuring would position Fairey Co. as a holding company responsible for group-wide policy and financial control.

During this period, UK government policy sought to streamline its aerospace industry. The Ministry of Defence favored consolidating helicopter manufacturing under a single supplier.[6] This contributed to a merger between Fairey's aviation interests and Westland Aircraft in early 1960, shortly after Westland acquired both Saunders-Roe group and Bristol Aeroplane Company's helicopter division.[7] Under this agreement, Westland purchased all issued shares of Fairey Aviation—which encompassed all UK aviation operations of Fairey—and took over its aircraft manufacturing business including projects such as the Gannet AEW.3 along with a ten percent stake held by Fairey in Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco)Template:Fix/category[citation needed].Note: Airco ceased operations in 1920; possibly referring to de Havilland? Production staff involved with outer wing assembly for what became known as HS121 Trident were transferred to WestlandTemplate:Fix/category[citation needed].Note: same Airco reference issue applies here. In exchange for these assets, Fairey received two million shares of Westland stock valued at five shillings each plus approximately £1.4 million in cash. This transaction excluded Fairey's Air Surveys division and its Heston works—which housed its weapons research sector engaged in advanced anti-tank missile programs—leaving Fairey's residual net value around £9.5 million.

The downfall of the Fairey Group

In 1977, the Fairey Group entered receivership and was effectively brought under government control. The company faced liquidation after launching a production line for the Britten-Norman Islander within its subsidiary, Avions Fairey, which resulted in excessive manufacturing and subsequent redundancy costs amounting to approximately £16 million in Belgium. The entities involved included:

  • Fairey Hydraulics Ltd, based in Heston, specializing in hydraulic power controls and aircraft filters; underwent a management buyout in 1999, rebranded as Claverham, and later acquired by Hamilton Sundstrand in 2001.
  • Fairey Engineering Ltd, located in Stockport, focusing on general and nuclear engineering;
  • Fairey Nuclear Ltd, Heston, producing nuclear components and light engineering products; associated with Dungeness nuclear power station;
  • Fairey Industrial Products Ltd, Heston, serving as a management company;
  • Fairey Filtration Ltd, Heston, manufacturing industrial filters;
  • Fairey Winches Ltd, Tavistock, producing vehicle overdrives, winches, and hubs;
  • Jerguson Tress Gauge and Valve Co Ltd, Newcastle, specializing in liquid level indicators;
  • The Tress Engineering Co Ltd, Newcastle, providing petrochemical valves;
  • Fairey Marine Holdings Ltd, Hamble, functioning as a management company;
  • Fairey Marine (East Cowes) Ltd, East Cowes, engaged in ship and boat construction;
  • Fairey Exhibitions Ltd, Hamble, contractors for exhibition stands;
  • Fairey Marine Ltd, Hamble, focused on boatbuilding and repairs;
  • Fairey Yacht Harbours Ltd, Hamble, offering boat handling, berthing, and storage services;
  • Fairey Surveys Ltd, Maidenhead, conducting aerial and geophysical surveys along with mapping;
  • Fairey Surveys (Scotland) Ltd, Livingston, also specializing in aerial and geophysical survey and mapping;
  • Fairey Developments Ltd, Heston, acting as a management company.

The Fairey Britten-Norman Aircraft Company was acquired by Pilatus, then part of the Swiss Oerlikon group.

Government intervention occurred under section 8 of the Industry Act 1972, whereby the entire share capital was purchased from the official receiver of Fairey Company Ltd for £201,163,000. Subsequently, the companies were overseen by the National Enterprise Board (NEB). In 1980, ownership of the Fairey Group transferred from the NEB to Doulton & Co., a division of S Pearson & Son. At that time Pearson’s manufacturing focus was primarily within the Doulton fine china sector. The acquisition of Fairey's advanced technology businesses enhanced Pearson's engineering portfolio in 1980 and these were integrated with Pearson’s other engineering operations by 1982. However, in 1986 Pearson divested these assets to concentrate on its core businesses; they were acquired by Williams Holdings and rebranded first as Williams Fairey Engineering Ltd and later as WFEL Ltd.

Additional segments of the combined Fairey–Doulton enterprise underwent a management buyout from Pearson and were subsequently listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1988. Throughout the 1990s, this entity focused on expanding its electronics division by acquiring various companies while divesting its electrical insulator and hydraulic actuator operations. In 1997 it purchased Burnfield—home to notable firm Malvern Instruments. Further growth came with the acquisition of Servomex plc in 1999. The largest transaction occurred in July 2000 with the purchase of four instrumentation and controls divisions from Spectris AG of Germany for £171 million—a significant strategic enhancement to its instrumentation business. Reflecting this transformation, the company changed its name from Fairey Group to Spectris in May 2001.

Avions Fairey

Main article: Avions Fairey

Avions Fairey SA was established on 27 August 1931 by Fairey engineer Ernest Oscar Tips. Due to the positive impression made by Fairey aircraft on Belgian officials, a subsidiary company, Avions Fairey, was created to manufacture Fairey designs within Belgium. Prior to the German invasion of the Low Countries, company personnel evacuated Belgium but returned after World War II to produce licensed aircraft for the Belgian Air Force. When Fairey faced financial difficulties in the late 1970s, the Belgian government acquired Avions Fairey to maintain its participation in the Belgian F-16 program. See also Tipsy Nipper.

Fairey Aviation of Canada

Established in 1948, the Fairey Aviation Company of Canada Limited[8] expanded from a small team of six to an enterprise employing approximately one thousand staff. Beginning in March 1949, the company performed repair and overhaul services for the Royal Canadian Navy on aircraft such as the Supermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly, later extending to the Hawker Sea Fury and modifications on the Grumman Avenger. The need to convert the Avro Lancaster prompted expansion of manufacturing facilities. Subsequent work included servicing the Lockheed Neptune and undertaking maintenance and modification tasks on the McDonnell Banshee.

Fairey of Canada also developed a division focused on component and instrument design and production. They manufactured Hydro Booster Units, which hydraulically control flight surfaces instead of manual operation. Additional flight control components were designed for the Avro CF-100, while hydraulic actuators created by Fairey were used on the Canadair Argus. The company produced the Royal Canadian Navy's "Bear Trap" helicopter/ship handling system. In the early 1960s, they converted Martin Mars flying boats into water-dropping firefighting aircraft.

Leveraging expertise from its parent company in hydraulic systems, Fairey Canada manufactured the Fairey Microfilter, which found applications beyond aerospace industries. Another product was the Safety Ohmmeter, utilized in missile technology as well as mining and quarrying operations. The company also served as an agent for RFD Inflatable Marine Survival Equipment, handling sales, servicing, inspection, and repair of inflatable liferafts.

In 1955, the West Coast Branch of Fairey Aviation Company of Canada Limited was opened at Sidney on Vancouver Island, situated at Patricia Bay Airport. This branch specialized primarily in repair, overhaul, and modification work for both military and civilian aircraft, including converting former military Avenger planes for commercial cropdusting use. The branch also diversified into designing and manufacturing hospital equipment.

Following financial collapse of its UK parent company, Fairey Canada was purchased by IMP Group International.

Fairey Aviation Company of Australasia

Established in 1948 as Fairey-Clyde Aviation Co Pty. Ltd, the Australian division of Fairey Aviation originated as a joint enterprise with Clyde Engineering, incorporating the aircraft segment of CEC. The company adopted its current name in November 1951. Located in Bankstown, Sydney, the facility was responsible for overhauling aircraft for both the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy. Among its tasks was the conversion of RAN Firefly AS.5 aircraft to Trainer Mark 5 specifications. The Special Projects Division manufactured drones such as the Jindivik, Meteor, and Canberra at the Woomera missile testing site. Fairey Australasia holds the distinction of being the inaugural firm established at the Weapons Research Establishment (WRE) in 1949, initially supporting research trials involving a scale model of Fairey’s vertical take-off aircraft. Soon thereafter, the company expanded to produce the RTV.l research rockets launched in Australia. This development led to a dedicated design and manufacturing facility specializing in airborne and ground equipment for target aircraft and missile ranges, including the Tonic towed target, which could be deployed and streamed by a Jindivik 3A.

In 1957, the WRE at Woomera designed and developed a compact camera known as WRECISS (Weapons Research Establishment camera interception single-shot), which was then produced by Fairey Aviation Co of Australasia at Salisbury, South Australia. These cameras were typically installed in the nose telemetry bays of surface-to-air missile systems. Although each mission required replacement of the firing lever, approximately 30 percent of WRECISS units could be reused without repair, with many others being economically serviceable. The film used was Ilford Photo SR101, formatted as 0.93-inch discs punched from 35 mm strips; camera specifications included a weight of 801 grams, diameter of 1.5 inches, length of 1.25 inches, a field of view spanning 186 degrees, an exposure time of 0.3 milliseconds, and an effective relative aperture near f/8. An initial batch of 192 cameras was produced. In 1988, this entity merged into AWA Defence Industries of Australia.

Aerial Survey

File:Fairey Air Surveys DC-3 Manchester 1975.jpg
Fairey Air Surveys Douglas DC-3 parked outside Fairey's hangar at Manchester Airport during maintenance in 1975

Fairey Air Surveys, Ltd initially operated from 24 Bruton Street, London W1 before relocating headquarters to Reform Road, Maidenhead, with additional branches worldwide. The aircraft fleet (Douglas Dakotas) and technical offices were situated at White Waltham, Berkshire, alongside a specialized research laboratory focused on developing anti-vibration isolators integrated into camera mountings. The company conducted both mapping and geophysical surveys globally. UK-based aircraft were deployed internationally to perform aerial survey missions for various local authorities and foreign governments. Mapping products were also issued under the Fairey-Falcon brand. Over time, corporate names evolved to reflect Fairey ownership until operations continued into the late 1970s before transitioning into Clyde Surveying Services Ltd. Eventually, Fairey Surveys became part of what is now Blom Aerofilms.

Subsidiaries included:—

  • Fairey Surveys (Scotland), Livingston: engaged in aerial and geophysical surveying as well as mapping.
  • Aero Surveys, located at Vancouver International Airport, Canada: equipped for processing and mapping tasks with a fleet including two Ansons and one P-38. This operation partnered with Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc.
  • Air Survey Company of India based at Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta: fully outfitted for processing and mapping activities with aircraft such as a DC-3 and three DH Rapides. In 1946 it was known as Indian Air Survey & Transport Limited.
  • Air Survey Company of Pakistan on Dunolly Road, Karachi: functioned solely as an office without permanent aircraft or ground equipment.
  • Air Survey Company of Rhodesia headquartered in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia: fully equipped for processing and mapping; operations utilized either an Anson or a Dove from the UK fleet.

Additional offices existed in Nigeria, Zambia, and the Republic of Ireland.

Heaton Chapel

The origins of the Fairey factory located in Heaton Chapel, Stockport, date back to the period when Crossley Brothers, having supplied numerous tenders and aircraft engines to the Royal Flying Corps by late 1916, acquired facilities at High Lane, Heaton Chapel to increase their production capacity. In 1917, following the government's initiative to establish three National Aircraft Factories, Crossley Motors was created to oversee National Aircraft Factory No.2. This facility continued manufacturing aircraft until November 1918. After the conclusion of the First World War, the site transitioned to producing vehicles. Willys-Knight and Overland Motors took over the factory for producing cars and commercial vehicles, retaining ownership until 30 November 1934, when Fairey acquired it. In 1935, with a significant contract for Hendon night bombers, Fairey set up production lines at the Heaton Chapel location. Subsequently, on 11 February 1936, the manufacturing operations at Heaton Chapel were incorporated as Stockport Aviation Company Limited, which also secured a site at Ringway (now Manchester Airport) for conducting test flights.

Following the cessation of aircraft manufacturing, the Heaton Chapel facility evolved into Fairey Engineering Ltd, focusing on medium and heavy engineering products such as portable bridges designed for military and emergency applications, notably the Medium Girder Bridge. These bridges remain in service with the British Army, U.S. Army, and several other NATO forces. Additionally, Fairey Engineering Ltd produced nuclear reactor cores and fueling equipment for Dungeness B and Trawsfynydd.

In 1986, the company was renamed Williams Fairey Engineering before being acquired in 2000 by the Kidde division of American conglomerate United Technologies. The firm is presently known as WFEL Ltd. According to a 2006 report by the Manchester Evening News, private equity firm Dunedin Capital Partners supported a management buy-out of WFEL from UTC; the company employs approximately 160 staff at its Crossley Road factory in Heaton Chapel.

Land Rover hubs and overdrives

File:Fairey overdrive.jpg
A Fairey mechanical overdrive unit installed on an early Range Rover

From the late 1950s onwards, Fairey expanded its portfolio by acquiring Mayflower Automotive Products along with their Tavistock, Devon manufacturing plant. This acquisition included designs for products such as winches and free-wheeling front hubs tailored for Land Rover vehicles. By the 1970s, Fairey was producing an extensive range of winches encompassing mechanical, hydraulic, electric drives, as well as capstan and drum configurations. Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, Fairey's winches represented most of the manufacturer-approved options available for Land Rover models.

In 1975, Fairey engineered and produced a mechanical overdrive unit specifically for Land Rover vehicles. Models equipped with this component featured a rear badge stating "Overdrive by Fairey," accompanied by the company's logo (as illustrated above).

This product line essentially ended in the early 1980s due to Land Rover's internal development initiatives and a broader industry trend toward manufacturers producing accessories themselves. Subsequently, Superwinch, an American firm, purchased the Tavistock facility and continued manufacturing Fairey-designed winches for several years. This site served as Superwinch’s European headquarters and production center until its closure in 2019 when the parent company ceased operations; key assets were then sold to Westin in San Dimas, California.

Fairey aircraft

(Year of initial flight in parentheses)

Avions Fairey aircraft

Subcontract production

In addition to manufacturing their own designs, Fairey also built aircraft under subcontract agreements.

During World War II, Fairey's production included nearly 500 units of the Bristol Beaufighter, as well as approximately 600 of the Handley Page Halifax, consisting of 326 B Mk III and 246 B Mk V models. Following the war, they held subcontracting roles for manufacturing the de Havilland Vampire, along with its successor, the de Havilland Venom.

Aircraft engines

In 1926, Fairey acquired 50 Curtiss-manufactured D-12 engines, which were subsequently rebranded as the Fairey Felix.[9]

Missiles and drones

Fairey's engagement in missile manufacturing operated independently from Fairey Aviation Co Ltd and its later integration into the Westland Group in 1960. Consequently, production responsibilities were assigned to Fairey Engineering Ltd, which by 1962 evolved into a joint venture equally owned by Fairey and the British Aircraft Corporation (Holdings) Ltd, named BAC (AT) LTD, headquartered at 100 Pall Mall, London SW1, with a share capital of £100. This entity functioned separately from the BAC Guided Weapons division.

The company played a pioneering role in early pilotless aircraft development, which culminated in radio-controlled unmanned target aircraft projects in both Britain and the United States during the 1930s. In 1931, Fairey developed the "Queen," a radio-controlled target drone based on a modified Fairey IIIF floatplane—a catapult-launched reconnaissance aircraft used by the Royal Navy. Besides integrating radio control systems, aerodynamic adjustments were made to enhance stability. However, initial autonomous flights ended prematurely as drones crashed immediately after launch from HMS Valiant.

In 1960, Fairey announced a collaboration between Fairey Engineering Ltd and Del Mar Engineering Laboratories in Los Angeles to distribute an array of subsonic and supersonic towed target systems (RADOP) for air-to-air and surface-to-air missile training across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Commonwealth countries, and the UK.

Both the parent Fairey Company and its Australian branch were extensively involved in guided weapons development. The UK-based Weapon Division of Fairey Engineering Ltd managed the Jindivik[13] Mk 2B pilotless target drone program. Powered by a Bristol Siddeley Viper ASV.8 turbojet engine, it achieved speeds up to 600 mph (970 km/h) and operated at altitudes exceeding 50,000 ft.

The "Fairey V.T.O" was a vertical take-off delta-wing aircraft conceived to investigate launching from short ramps with minimal acceleration. Debuting at the Society of British Aircraft Constructors (SBAC) Show in 1952, this project tested configurations for future experimental aircraft. Each wing incorporated a large aileron while the vertical stabilizer featured an oversized rudder. The V.T.O. generated 900 lbf (4.0 kN) thrust per Beta nozzle and utilized two solid-fuel boosters producing 600 lbf (2.7 kN) each during launch, totaling approximately 3,000 lbf (13 kN)—exceeding its weight. The Beta I rocket had dual jets: one capable of lateral swiveling and another adjustable vertically via autopilot commands, allowing thrust vectoring to maintain controlled flight at low speeds. Multiple successful tests were conducted, beginning with launches from a ship in Cardigan Bay in 1949.

The Fairey Rocket Test Vehicle 1 (RTV1), initially known as LOPGAP ("Liquid Oxygen and Petrol Guided Anti-Aircraft Projectile"), originated from a 1944 Royal Navy specification for an anti-aircraft guided missile.[14] Development was transferred to the Royal Aircraft Establishment in 1947 and renamed RTV1. Various iterations of RTV1 were produced.

Fairey Aviation Company of Australasia Pty Ltd secured a contract for manufacturing 40 RTV1e rockets, with initial completions by early 1954. Components were sourced from multiple entities: hydraulic servo units from the Royal Australian Navy Torpedo Establishment; guidance receivers and amplifiers from EMI; magnesium castings by the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation, alongside some imported parts from the UK. Assembly occurred at Salisbury, South Australia within Fairey's Special Projects Division. Test firings took place during 1955–56; however, by then RTV1 was considered outdated. The RTV1e served as a beam-guidance test vehicle using radar that projected a narrow beam for guidance research. Distinct versions addressed different aspects including control systems, propulsion, aerodynamics, and guidance technologies. This two-stage liquid-fueled rocket was launched at an angle of 35 degrees reaching altitudes near 12,000 feet. Initial lift-off relied on seven solid booster rockets burning for four seconds before transitioning to the liquid sustainer motor.

At the 1954 Farnborough Airshow, Fairey Australia exhibited an imposing missile resembling RTV-1’s design: a booster approximately six feet tall and twenty inches in diameter equipped with seven five-inch motors and stabilised by four large and four smaller fins. The main missile body extended about seventeen feet long with a diameter of ten inches, fitted with four wings and four small control surfaces.

Additionally, Fairey Australia showcased an aerodynamic test projectile called a "three-inch winged round," designed without guidance systems to support research on wing-body configurations at high supersonic speeds. This model measured roughly six feet in length with a smooth white-painted seamless tube body. Positioned about two-thirds along its length was a laminated wooden wing spanning approximately two feet across the diameter of the body; it featured an eighteen-inch root chord with roughly fifty degrees quarter-chord sweep.

In April 1947 Fairey revealed its inaugural guided missile,[15] designed as an anti-aircraft weapon intended for use during the Pacific War. Although it was not completed in time for deployment by either the British Army, which initially commissioned it, or the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Supply requested continuation resulting in the development of the Stooge. The missile measured 7 ft 5.5 in (2.273 m) in length with a wingspan of 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m), a body diameter of seventeen inches, and weighed 738 lb (335 kg), including its warhead. Propulsion came from four solid-fuel rockets each generating 75 lbf (330 N) thrust; initially four additional booster rockets provided an extra combined thrust of 5,600 lbf to accelerate it along its 10 feet (3.0 m)* launching ramp. Unlike subsequent models aimed at supersonic speeds and extended ranges, Stooge was designed for high subsonic velocities over limited distances. It incorporated two-stage propulsion systems alongside autopilot and radio control equipment supported by ground units plus an onboard warhead. Launching required both a ramp and transport vehicle. Extensive testing was conducted at Woomera Prohibited Area.[16]

The Malkara missile emerged through collaboration between British and Australian firms based in Australia as a heavy wire-guided weapon deployable from vehicles, light naval vessels, or fixed installations. It succeeded Fairey's "Orange William" project commissioned by the Ministry of Supply and later influenced developments leading to Swingfire. Fairey Engineering held international sales rights outside the US and was appointed by Australia's Department of Supply to aid operational introduction and modifications design for Malkara. The missile served within the Royal Armoured Corps, mounted on specialized vehicles—the Humber Hornet—manufactured by Wharton Engineering carrying two missiles ready to fire plus two spares stored onboard. The Hornet was air-droppable with a three-person crew complement. For training purposes, Malkara Mk I versions were used featuring ranges around 2,000 m (6,600 ft). Operational deployment utilized Malkara Mk IA variants equipped with improved tracking flares, thinner guidance wires, and other enhancements doubling effective range compared to Mk I.

The Fairey Fireflash represented an early radar beam-riding air-to-air missile developed under the codename "Blue Sky," essentially a downgraded iteration of Red Hawk missile technology. It saw limited service before being replaced by the more advanced de Havilland Firestreak.

Green Cheese was conceived as a tactical nuclear anti-ship missile intended for use aboard Gannet aircraft. Due to issues with Gannet deployment platforms, development shifted toward compatibility with the Blackburn Buccaneer, but ultimately this program was cancelled.

Fairey Marine

Founded in the late 1940s by Sir Richard Fairey alongside Fairey Aviation's Managing Director, Mr Chichester-Smith, Fairey Marine emerged from the shared passion both men had for sailing. Drawing upon manufacturing methods refined in the aircraft sector during World War II, they resolved to manufacture sailing dinghies. To assist with operations, they enlisted Charles Currey following his naval service. Over subsequent years, Fairey Marine produced thousands of dinghies, including models such as the Firefly, Albacore, Falcon, Swordfish, Jollyboat, Flying Fifteen, 505, and International 14s, as well as smaller vessels like the Dinky and Duckling. In the 1950s, the company expanded into larger sailing cruisers, introducing the Atalanta—named in honor of Sir Richard’s first daughter-in-law—along with the Titania, Fulmar, and the 27-foot Fisherman motor sailer (which was designed based on the Fairey Lifeboat hull). Additionally, they developed the 15-foot Cinderella outboard runabout and the 16-foot-6-inch Faun family cruiser powered by an outboard motor.

Fairey Band

The origins of the brass band known as the Fairey Band date back to 1937 when employees at the Fairey aviation factory formed it. For nearly six decades, this ensemble maintained a close relationship with the company and its successors. Although it now relies on external funding sources, it has consistently preserved its connection to its roots through various names such as the Fairey Aviation Works Band, Williams Fairey Band, and later Fairey (FP Music) Band. Recently, it has embraced its heritage once more by adopting the simpler name The Fairey Band. Throughout its distinguished history, the band has earned numerous accolades at both national and international levels.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ For instance, in 1915 Fairey constructed 12 Short Admiralty Type 827 seaplanes under subcontract for Short Brothers
  2. ↑ In 1934, R. T. Youngman succeeded Mr. Hollis Williams as head of technical department

References

  1. ↑ Sherwood, Philip (1999)
  2. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).Template:Fix/category[permanent dead link]
  4. ↑ Scholefield, 2004, p. 227
  5. ↑ Scholefield, 1998, p. 35-39
  6. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  7. ↑ Uttley (2001), p.183; merger dates: Saunders-Roe July 14,1959; Bristol March 23,1960; Fairey May 2,1960.
  8. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  9. ↑ Lumsden 2003, p.148.
  10. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  11. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  12. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  13. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  14. ↑ see Sea Slug missile
  15. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  16. ↑ WOOMERA: Post-War Progress with British Guided Missiles: The Australian Rocket Range flightglobal.com

Bibliography

  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  • Lumsden, Alec. British Piston Engines and their Aircraft. Marlborough, Wiltshire: Airlife Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-85310-294-6.
  • Scholefield, R.A, Manchester Airport, Sutton Publishing, Stroud, 1998, ISBN 0-7509-1954-X
  • Scholefield, R.A. Manchester's Early Airfields, an extended article in Moving Manchester, Lancashire & Cheshire Antiquarian Society, Manchester, 2004, ISSN 0950-4699
  • Sherwood, Philip. 1999. Heathrow: 2000 years of History ISBN 0-7509-2132-3
  • Taylor, H.A, Fairey Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam & Company Ltd, 1974. ISBN 0-370-00065-X.

External links

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