Fairey Battle IT

  • Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
  • Uses: Gunnery Trainer
  • First Flight: March 1936
  • Display Status: In Reserve Hangar.

The Fairey Battle was a disaster as a light day bomber, being too slow, vulnerable and under-gunned for air warfare in Second World War. Those surviving the early war years were reallocated to training duties. From August 1939, 739 Battles served in Canada as trainers. Most were used for bombing and gunnery training, with a small number equipped as target tugs. Some aircraft had the rear cockpit replaced with a Bristol turret for turret-gunnery training.

After First World War, relatively slow, light bombers were considered militarily feasible until, early in Second World War, Fairey Battles were blown from the sky by fast single-seat fighters and anti-aircraft fire. Their place in the military armoury was filled by fighter aircraft which were fast and could effectively defend themselves after dropping their bomb.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: R7384 (RAF)
  • Manufacturer: Fairey Aviation Company Ltd., Great Britain
  • Manufacture Date: 1940
  • Construction #: 61
  • Aquisition Date: 1964
  • Provenance: Transfer from RCAF

The Museum aircraft was manufactured as a pilot trainer in 1940, and taken on strength by the RCAF in 1941. Converted to a turret-gunnery trainer in 1942, it was used until 1943 when it entered storage. After moving among several storage locations, the aircraft was transferred to the Museum in 1964.

Specifications

Wing Span:
16.5 m (54 ft)
Length:
12.9 m (42 ft 4 in)
Height:
4.7 m (15 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty:
3,015 kg (6,647 lb)
Weight, Gross:
4,895 kg (10,792 lb)
Cruising Speed:
322 km/h (200 mph)
Max Speed:
406 km/h (252 mph)
Rate of Climb:
1,520 m (5,000 ft) / 4 min 6 sec
Service Ceiling:
7,620 m (25,000 ft)
Range:
1,609 km (1,000 mi)
Power Plant:
one Rolls-Royce Merlin III, 1,030 hp, Vee engine