History
The development of the Firefly started in the period 1939 - 1940 to meet the specifications for a naval Fighter to replace the Gloster Sea Gladiator. The prototype, Z1826 made its maiden flight on December 22, 1941.
After several test and modifications the first production aircraft were delivered in 1943. No. 1770 squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton was the first squadron to be operational with the new Firefly.
Night fighter.
In order to fulfil the need for a night fighter March 1943 was started with the development of the NF.II , based upon the F.I. The NF.II was equipped with an AI (Airborne Interception) Mk.X radar. Because of the extra weight added, the centre of gravity changed and the fuselage had to be be enlarged with 18 inch, just after the fire wall behind the engine.
37 examples of this type were built, but due to the difficult to solve problems with the radar and the manageability of the aircraft, they were soon modified to standard F.I This decision might have been influenced by the fact that Fairey received permission to use the US ASH radar.
Fighter Reconnaissance.
The ASH radar was added to a pod, under the fuselage, this version was designated NF.I. Externally the NF.I resembled the FR.I, the fighter reconnaissance version of the F.I. This version was also equipped with radar, the AN/APS-4, also carried in a pod under the fuselage.
The front of the pod was made of fibre glass. The pod it self was slightly over pressurized to prevent the front to indent. Differences between the NF.I and the FR.I were the flame dampers, the lights of the deck hooks and the ASH indicator for the pilot. Several standard F.Is were modified to FR.I, but were designated as F.IA.
A new development of the engines led to the Mk. III, which was equipped with the Griffon Mk. 62 rated 1900 hp. The fuselage of the Mk I was used. problems with stabilizing the new aircraft could not be solved, so just one prototype was built.
Spring 1944 four Mk.I airframes were modified to Mk.IV, equipped with Griffon Mk.72. The radiator intake was replaced with more aerodynamic radiator intakes in the front of each of the wings The rounded wingtips were removed and a four blade propeller was used. These modifications showed a much better performance.
The second prototype was equipped with two wing-mounted pods, starboard pod contained the ASH-radar and the other contained a fuel tank of 55 gallons. This version was designated FR.4 May 25, 1946, the first production FR.4 made it first flight. The production version was equipped with the Griffon Mk.74.
The Mk.5 was virtually equal to the FR.4 and made its first flight on December 12, 1947. Three versions were produced, to know the NF.5 nightfighter, the FR.5 and the AS.5 the anti submarine version. The NF.5 was equipped with night-fighter equipment, such as flame dampers; the AS.5 was equipped with special equipment for sub hunting.
The Mk.6 was built in one version, AS.6 anti submarine version. Armament was deleted, and provision for depth charges and son buoys were added. Also the landing gear was enlarged.
At the end of the forties the seventh and last version of the Firefly, the Mk.7 was developed. Initially intended as an interim aircraft to be used before the Fairey Gannet entered service. The AS.7 differed very much from the AS.6
The large canopy for the radar operators and the revised tail was obvious. The engine was a Griffon Mk.59 rated 2455 hp, with made a change of the nose section necessary. The nose resembled very much the nose of the Fairey Barracuda. Because of the poor flying capabilities, poor view ahead and the delivery of TBM-3E/W Avengers, the order was cancelled, so very few AS.7s were built. The remaining airframes were modified to T.7-trainers, used for training of observers and radar operators.
Trainers
In July 1946 the trainer prototype made is first flight. It was a converted FR.1 with a cockpit added, which replaced the observers cockpit. The first production unarmed aircraft, Firefly T.1 made its maiden flight September 1946.
In 1949 the T.2 was developed as a weapon trainer and made its first flight on August 12, 1949. Few changing compared with the earlier T.1 were two wing mounted guns en provision to carry an external weapon load, such as mines, depth charges and flares.
Later a small number T.3s was built, which were all converted FR.1s. The T.3 was a trainer for anti submarine ware. All armament was removed.
Target tow.
After the war the was a need for target towing aircraft, Sweden had converted several old Mk.Is to TT.1 (TT = Target Tug).
Fairey delivered later modification sets to convert Mk.4 and Mk.5 aircraft to TT.4 and TT.5 respectively. This set contained a air-screw driven ML Type G winch in a pod, to be carried under the fuselage. The guns were removed and a control mechanism was added to the cockpit.
Target aircraft.
In the fifties there was a need for target planes so several withdrawn Fireflies were modified to U-marks (U=Unmanned), a remote controlled, unmanned aircraft. Several Mk.7s were converted to U.8 and several Mk.5s to U.9. The armament was removed and equipment for remote control was added.
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 11,25 m | Wingspan: | 13,56 m |
| Height: | 4,47 m | Wing area: | 30,5 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty Weight: | 4048 kg | Max. start weight: | 6025 kg |
| Performance: | |||
| Max. speed: | 513 km/hr | Climbing speed: | - m/min |
| Cruising speed: | 320 km/hr | ||
| Range: | 1750 km | Service ceiling: | - m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One Rolls Royce Griffon 74 rated 2250 hp | ||
| Crew: | Two men | ||
| Armament: | Four 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS 404 wing mounted guns | ||
| Dimensions: | |||
| Length: | 11,54 m | Wingspan: | 12,54 m |
| Height: | 4,36 m | Wing area: | 30,25 m2 |
| Weights: | |||
| Empty Weight: | 4388 kg | Max. start weight: | 7301 kg |
| Performance: | |||
| Max. speed: | 621 km/hr | Climbing speed: | - m/min |
| Cruising speed: | 354 km/hr | ||
| Range: | 2090 km | Service ceiling: | - m |
| Miscellaneous: | |||
| Engine type: | One Rolls Royce Griffon 74 rated 2250 hp | ||
| Crew: | Two men | ||
| Armament: | Four 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS 404 wing mounted guns, Two 450 kg bomb; 8 pair rockets. | ||
Fairey Firefly Mk.I, Fairey Firefly FR Mk.IV and NF Mk.V and Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1/T.Mk.2, in service with RNlNAS.
Fairey Firefly Mk. I
During the fall of 1945 two orders of fifteen aircraft each were signed. The first twenty aircraft were F.Mk.1 serialled F-1 till F-20; the remaining ten aircraft were FR.Mk.1 serialled F-21 till F-30.
The first six examples were handed over to the Dutch Navy January 18, 1946. These aircraft were assigned to 860 squadron. March 20, 1946 the first Dutch aircraft carrier 'Karel Doorman' entered service. 860 squadron was based on this ship. The flight deck was just 150 meters long and caused problems with start and landing.
August 26, 1946 the 'Doorman' left for the Dutch East Indies because of the situation there. Squadron 860 was embarked with Fireflies F-17 till F-30. The Fireflies were used for air to ground support. Several Fireflies were lost in action, such as F-22, F-24 and F-27.
During 1948 the aircraft were re-serialled, were code letter F was changed in code K. (on 25-08-1947 in the Netherlands and 26-01-1949 in Dutch East Indies). The letters were not applied as such on the aircraft, but the “6” and “11” ( F is the 6th and 11nd letter in the alphabet). The K-Serial was changed again in January 1950 in code letter P.
March 1950 860 squadron was temporarily with drawn from service. The remaining Fireflies went for a complete overhaul to the Netherlands.
In September 1946 861 squadron was established and equipped with Fireflies. It was based on naval air station Valkenburg and was dismissed in April 1947. The Fireflies went to GVO (Groep Vlieg Opleiding = Group Flight Training) and to OGV (Opleiding Gevechts Vlieger = Training Fighter Pilots).
Firefly MK I
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Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1 and T.Mk.2 trainer.
In June 1948 the second (and larger) 'Karel Doorman' entered Dutch service and a start with training for deck landings was made with three Firefly T.1's (converted Mk.I's).
After a display at the end of 1946 with a Fairey converted Firefly it was decided to modify the Mk.1's to T.1. The first one, F-1 was converted at the Fairey Factories, the other two, F.8 and F.12 were converted at Aviolanda using parts delivered by Fairey. The T.1's were serialled L-11 (ex F-1); L-12 (ex-F-12) and L-13 (ex F-8). Later four T.2 were built by Aviolanda, to know F-4, (became U-14) and F-5 (became U-15), both delivered in 1949. In 1951 Fireflies F-23 and F-29 were modified and delivered in July1952 as U-16 and U-17. The two remaining T.1's, L-11 and L-12, were re-serialled U-11 and U-12. The L-13 crashed on November 8, 1948. (as noted above, the “L” serial was applied as “12” on the aircraft; “U” was applied as “21”).
Early 1951 the "Doorman" departed with Squadron 1, with Fireflies P-6; P-17; P-25; P-26 P-30 and trainers U-11; U-12 and U-14 and P-7, P-11, P-28 an U-15 as spare
The main task of squadron 1 was besides air defence also training with marines and ships. During 1954 the Mk.1's were replaced with Firefly Mk.4's
Fireflies P-6 and P-30 were lost because of a collision on October 14, 1952.
Trainers U-16 and U-17 stayed at Valkenburg for advanced carrier training and target tow duties.
During 1959 U-12 and U-17 sere re-serialled as 003 and 004 respectively, in March 1960 both aircraft were scrapped.
Firefly Trainers
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Fairey Firefly FR Mk.IV and NF Mk.V
During 1947 the RNlNAS received 40 Fireflies FR.4's, serialled K-31 till K-70 11-31 t/m 11-70). These aircraft were added to squadron 1, 2 and squadron 4. Early 1949 the RNlNAS received another fourteen Fireflies NF.5 serialled K-71 till K-84 (11-71 till 11-84) and in November 1952 four ex Canadian Navy FR.4's were added serialled P-86 till P-89 (16-86 till 16-89).
Squadron 2 and 4 participated frequently in NATO exercises, operating from the Dutch carrier of often also from British carries. During 1954 the Fireflies were replaced with Avenger at squadron 2 and 4.
In 1955 squadron 7 was established to be based at Biak, Dutch New-Guinea.
In 1959 the Fireflies were re-serialled, The remaining Fireflies received serials 005 till 017 with letter “B” of Biak. When 322 squadron RNlNAF arrived with their Hawker Hunters, squadron 7 was withdrawn in December 1961 and the Fireflies were withdrawn from use.
Fairey Firefly NF.V of the Royal Naval Historical Flight, photgraphed at the Airshow "MLD 75 jaar" (75 years RNlNAS), June 1992 at Naval air station Valkenburg.
Fairey Firefly NF.V of the Royal Naval Historical Flight, photographed at the Airshow "MLD 75 jaar" (75 years RNlNAS), June 1992 at Naval air station Valkenburg.
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Fairey Firefly
Serial overview of the Fairey Firefly Mk. I, Fairey Firefly FR Mk.IV, Fairey Firefly NF Mk.V and of the Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1/2
Fairey Firefly Mk. I.
| Serial
Serial
|
2nd Serial
2nd Serial
|
3nd Serial
3nd Serial
|
RAF Serial
RAF Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 | K-1 | PP458 | F.6169 | 18-01-1946 | 18-06-1947 | Converted L-11 mid 1947. | |
| F-2 | K-2 | PP472 | F.6183 | 18-01-1946 | 20-08-1946 | Crashed in sea and written off. | |
| F-3 | K-3 | P-3 | PP473 | F.6184 | 18-01-1946 | 21-06-1952 | Scrapped at naval air station Valkenburg. |
| F-4 | K-4 | PP489 | F.6200 | 18-01-1946 | 21-12-1948 | Converted L-14 mid 1948 | |
| F-5 | K-5 | PP487 | F.6198 | 18-01-1946 | 21-12-1948 | Converted L-15 mid 1948 | |
| F-6 | K-6 | P-6 | PP484 | F.6195 | 18-01-1946 | 14-10-1952 | Collision with P-30 and written off. |
| F-7 | K-7 | P-7 | PP486 | F.6197 | 13-02-1946 | 02-11-1953 | Withdrawn from use Netherlands Antilles |
| F-8 | K-8 | PP492 | F.6203 | 13-02-1946 | 27-08-1947 | Converted L-13 mid 1947 | |
| F-9 | K-9 | PP493 | F.6204 | 13-02-1946 | 01-12-1946 | Reported missing north sea | |
| F-10 | F-10 | PP474 | F.6185 | 13-02-1946 | 05-04-1946 | Crashed near Fearn and written off. | |
| F-11 | K-11 | P-11 | PP527 | F.6213 | 13-02-1946 | 21-05-1953 | Accident Netherlands Antilles |
| F-12 | K-12 | PP497 | F.6146 | 13-02-1946 | 10-09-1947 | Converted L-12 mid 1947 | |
| F-13 | PP528 | F.6214 | 22-02-1946 | 12-10-1946 | Accident Dutch East Indies and written off. | ||
| F-14 | K-14 | PP494 | F.6205 | 22-02-1946 | 20-01-1950 | Accident naval air station Valkenburg and written off. | |
| F-15 | F-15 | PP526 | F.6212 | 22-02-1946 | 07-10-1946 | Accident Apeldoorn | |
| F-16 | K-16 | P-16 | PP583 | F.6257 | 17-05-1946 | 08-06-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-17 | K-17 | P-17 | PP590 | F.6264 | 17-05-1946 | 28-04-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-18 | K-18 | PP59I | F.6265 | 17-05-1946 | 17-03-1947 | Accident Dutch East Indies. | |
| F-19 | K-19 | P-19 | PP592 | F.6266 | 17-05-1946 | 08-06-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-20 | K-20 | P-20 | PP593 | F.6267 | 22-05-1946 | 08-06-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-21 | K-21 | P-21 | PP601 | F.6275 | 18-06-1946 | 08-06-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-22 | K-22 | PP602 | F.6276 | 18-06-1946 | 21-07-1947 | Shot down Dutch East Indies | |
| F-23 | K-23 | PP603 | F.6277 | 18-06-1946 | 15-05-1951 | Mid 1951 converted to T.Mk.2, U-16. | |
| F-24 | K-24 | PP606 | F.6280 | 18-06-1946 | 14-05-1947 | Missing Dutch East Indies. | |
| F-26 | K-25 | P-25 | PP607 | F.6281 | 20-06-1946 | 28-04-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-26 | K-26 | P-26 | PP614 | F.d232 | 20-06-1946 | 28-04-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-27 | F-27 | PP615 | F.6289 | 20-06-1946 | 04-08-1947 | Shot down Dutch East Indies. | |
| F-28 | K-28 | P-28 | PP616 | F.6290 | 20-06-1946 | 08-06-1954 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles |
| F-29 | K-29 | PP619 | F.6293 | 20-06-1946 | 15-05-1951 | Mid 1951 Converted tot T.Mk.2, U-17. | |
| F-30 | K-30 | P-30 | PP623 | F.6297 | 20-06-1946 | 14-10-1952 | Collision with P-6 (Netherlands Antilles) and written off. |
Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.IV.
| Serial
Serial
|
2nd Serial
2nd Serial
|
3nd Serial
3nd Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-31 | P-31 | F.8227 | 18-04-1947 | 01-12-1957 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-32 | P-32 | F.8228 | 18-04-1947 | 05-09-1953 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-33 | P-33 | 005 | F.8229 | 18-04-1947 | 15-12-1961 | Accident, scrapped. |
| K-34 | P-34 | F.8230 | 18-04-1947 | 23-05-1957 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-35 | P-35 | F.8231 | 23-04-1947 | 15-11-1949 | Accident Netherlands Antilles and written off. | |
| K-36 | P-36 | F.8232 | 24-04-1947 | 01-07-1957 | Crashed in sea from Karel Doorman; Written off. | |
| K-37 | P-37 | F.8233 | 18-04-1947 | 01-03-1957 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-38 | P-38 | F.8234 | 18-04-1947 | 09-12-1956 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-39 | P-39 | F.8235 | 18-04-1947 | 10-03-1953 | Accident Netherlands Antilles and written off | |
| K-40 | P-40 | F.8236 | 18-04-1947 | 01-03-1959 | Accident in the Netherlands and written off. | |
| K-41 | P-41 | F.8237 | 24-04-1947 | 22-06-1954 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-42 | P-42 | F.8238 | 18-04-1947 | 16-09-1958 | Crashed in sea near Noordwijk and written off. | |
| K-43 | P-43 | F.8239 | 23-04-1947 | 08-04-1953 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-44 | P-44 | F.8240 | 24-04-1947 | 01-03-1959 | Accident naval air station Valkenburg and written off. | |
| K-45 | P-45 | F.8241 | 18-04-1947 | 10-07-1951 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-46 | P-46 | F.8242 | 22-08-1947 | 06-02-1959 | Crashed in sea and written off. | |
| K-47 | P-47 | 006 | F.8243 | 22-08-1947 | 06-12-1960 | Accident naval air station Biak. |
| K-48 | P-48 | 007 | F.8244 | 22-08-1947 | 20-11-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. |
| K-49 | P-49 | 008 | F.8245 | 22-08-1947 | 17-07-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. |
| K-50 | P-50 | F.8246 | 22-08-1947 | 09-02-1950 | Accident Karel Doorman and written off. | |
| K-51 | P-51 | F.8247 | 22-08-1947 | 10-11-1954 | Accident Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-52 | P-52 | F.8248 | 22-08-1947 | 28-04-1958 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-53 | P-53 | F.8249 | 22-08-1947 | 01-03-1958 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-54 | P-54 | F.8250 | 22-08-1947 | 07-06-1955 | Accident Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-55 | P-55 | F.8251 | 22-08-1947 | 24-02-1959 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-56 | K-56 | F.8252 | 22-08-1947 | 24-08-1948 | Accident naval air station Valkenburg and written off. | |
| K-57 | P-57 | 009 | F.8253 | 02-10-1947 | 15-12-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. |
| K-58 | P-58 | F.8254 | 22-08-1947 | 14-01-1954 | Accident Karwel Doorman and written off. | |
| K-59 | P-59 | 010 | F.8255 | 02-10-1947 | 26-10-1961 | Monument naval air station Biak. |
| K-60 | P-60 | F.8256 | 02-10-1947 | 25-05-1959 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-61 | P-61 | F.8257 | 26-08-1947 | 08-09-1953 | Scrapped the Netherlands | |
| K-62 | P-62 | F.8258 | 26-08-1947 | 30-03-1957 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-63 | P-63 | F.8259 | 26-08-1947 | 09-06-1949 | Accident naval air station Valkenburg and written off. | |
| K-64 | P-64 | F.8260 | 02-10-1947 | 01-06-1957 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-65 | P-65 | F.8261 | 02-10-1947 | 01-07-1957 | Scrapped at Netherlands Antilles | |
| K-66 | P-66 | F.8262 | 03-10-1947 | 02-10-1959 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak. | |
| K-67 | P-67 | F.8263 | 03-10-1947 | 21-09-1952 | Accident and written off. | |
| K-68 | P-68 | F.8264 | 03-10-1947 | 16-01-1959 | In sea Netherlands Nieuw-Guinea and written off. | |
| K-69 | P-69 | F.8265 | 03-10-1947 | 05-07-1949 | Accident and written off. | |
| K-70 | P-70 | F.8266 | 03-10-1947 | 22-04-1953 | In sea near Noordwijk and written off. |
Fairey Firefly NF.Mk.V.
| Serial
Serial
|
2nd Serial
2nd Serial
|
3nd Serial
3nd Serial
|
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K-71 | P-71 | F.8389 | 11-03-1949 | 16-02-1954 | In sea, Karel Doorman. | |
| K-72 | P-72 | 011 | F.8390 | 26-04-1949 | 11-05-1961 | Crashed naval air station Biak |
| K-73 | P-73 | 012 | F.8391 | 14-03-1949 | 11-09-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-74 | P-74 | 013 | F.8392 | 11-03-1949 | 21-09-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-75 | P-75 | 014 | F.8393 | 11-03-1949 | 15-12-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-76 | K-76 | F.8394 | 14-03-1949 | 30-08-1950 | In sea near Kijkduin | |
| K-77 | P-77 | F.8396 | 14-03-1949 | 13-01-1954 | Emergency landing | |
| K-78 | K-78 | F.8395 | 11-03-1949 | 26-09-1950 | Caught fire naval air station Valkenburg | |
| K-79 | P-79 | 015 | F.8397 | 14-03-1949 | 15-12-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-80 | K-80 | F.8398 | 26-04-1949 | 01-06-1950 | Collision with K-84 | |
| K-81 | K-81 | F.8399 | 26-04-1949 | 12-05-1950 | Accident (Haarlem) | |
| K-82 | P-82 | 016 | F.8400 | 26-04-1949 | 26-10-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-83 | P-83 | 017 | F.8401 | 26-04-1949 | 28-03-1961 | Scrapped at naval air station Biak |
| K-84 | K-84 | F.8402 | 26-04-1949 | 16-01-1950 | Collision with K-80 | |
| P-86 | F.8037 | 07-11-1952 | 01-06-1957 | EX-RCAF VH139; Scrapped Netherlands Antilles (FR.Mk. IV) | ||
| P-87 | F.8040 | 07-11-1952 | 21-09-1957 | EX-RCAF VH141 Scrapped Netherlands Antilles (PR.Mk. IV) | ||
| P-88 | F.8430 | 07-11-1952 | 02-06-1956 | Ex-RCAF VX414; Scrapped the Netherlands (PR.Mk. IV/V) | ||
| P-89 | F.8431 | 07-11-1952 | 02-06-1956 | Ex-RCAF VX415; Scrapped the Netherlands (PR.Mk. IV/V) |
Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1 and T. Mk.2.
| Serial
Serial
|
2nd Serial
2nd Serial
|
3nd Serial
3nd Serial
|
Date in service
Date in service
|
Date out of service
Date out of service
|
Notes
Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L-15 | U-15 | 01-10-1949 | 13-09-1957 | Fairey Firefly T.2 ;Ex F-5; Converted at Aviolanda to T.Mk2 Scrapped the Netherlands. |
|
| U-16 | 005 | 06-07-1952 | 21-12-1956 | Fairey Firefly T.2 Ex F-23; Converted at Aviolanda to T.Mk2. Crashed in sea and written off. |
|
| U-17 | 004 | 17-07-1952 | 12-03-1960 | Fairey Firefly T.2 Ex F-29; Converted at Aviolanda to T.Mk2. Scrapped the Netherlands |
|
| L-11 | U-1l | 09-02-1948 | 22-09-1959 | Fairey Firefly T.1; Ex- F-1; Converted at England at Fairey to T.Mk1. Scrapped the Netherlands. |
|
| L-12 | U-12 | 003 | 01-09-1948 | 12-03-1960 | Ex F-12; Converted at England at Fairey to T.Mk1. Scrapped the Netherlands |
| L-13 | U-13 | 01-09-1948 | 08-11-1948 | Ex F-12; Converted at Aviolanda to T.Mk1. Written off after accident (Voorhout) |
|
| L-14 | U-14 | 21-06-1949 | 17-01-1957 | Ex- F-4; Converted at Aviolanda to T.Mk1. Crashed in sea and written off. |
1/72nd Scale
Kits
- Airfix
- Firefly Mk.5: first released mid sixties. The fuselage is to narrow; especially the nose section is to small.
- ARK Models
- kit 72014: Fairey Firefly MK1. (ex FROG)
- Frog
- Firefly Mk.I this kit was first released in the early seventies. Overall a rather good kit (for its age), later re-released by Novo and recently also by Chematic, Plastyk, Smer and Modelcraft.
- LF Models
- Kit 7214: Fairey Firefly NF Mk2
- Kit 7216: Fairey Firefly T1/2
- Magna Models (all models in resin)
- Kit 7202: an AS.7/T.7
- kit 7231: a U.8.
- Kit 7472: a T.1/T2 conversion.
- Pavla
- KitV72039: this kit contains parts for a Firefly F.Mk.I (early or late) or a FR.Mk.I - NF.I night fighter - T.Mk.I trainer - TT.I target tug version
- Plastyk
- kit S116: Fairey Firefly MK1. (ex FROG)
- Special Hobby released a very nice series of the Firefly
- Kit 7230: a Fairey Firefly Mk.I
- kit 7231: a Fairey Firefly Mk.IV/V. (with& decals for a Dutch Firefly)
- kit 7266: a Fairey Firefly TT Mk.4 (in fact a Mk. IV kit with resin parts for target-tow)
- kit 7250: a Fairey Firefly Trainer
A model of the Fairey Firefly Mk. I.
The kit used is the Frog kit, with the decals from the kit. I finished this kit in 2007, having started with it late eighties, but set it aside for several years.
A model of the Fairey Firefly T.Mk. I.
This models consists of the full resin fuselage of Maintrack, which is based upon the fuselage, plus a Novo kit.
I milled some holes in the fuselage for the air intake and the cockpit section. [I think it is not one of my best models, but I consider it as a practice in working with a resin kit.]
Modelling add-on
- Airwaves
- Set 72182: een detaillerings-set met vouwmechanisme.
- set 72164: detailleringset voor de Airfix Firefly.
- Falcon
- set 1972: canopies voor verschillende vliegtuigtypen zoals Firefly.
- Master, reality in Miniature
- set AM-72-077: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with Long fairings
- set AM-72-078: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with short fairings
- set AM-72-076: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with uncovered Barrels
- Ontrack, Final-Touch and LF Models
- Conversion kit: Resin fuselages to convert a (Frog/Novo) Mk.I to a T.1/T.2. [It is also possible to convert two Mk.I kits into a trainer version, both canopies are equal.]
- Tasman
- set 262: Fairey Firefly (Phoenix/Special Hobby)
Decals
- DutchDecal
- Set 72004: MLD-set with decals for several aircraft such as Firefly IV 005/B with red spinner
- Set 72018: Firefly MkI 11-28, three colour camouflage pattern; Firefly T.Mk I 004; Firefly IV.
1/48th Scale
Kits
- AZ Models
- Kit 4864: Fairey Firefly TT1
- Flightpath
- Kit 48020: a FR.1/NF.1 kit, which contains resin and metal parts.
- kit 48050: a Mk.4/5 kit containing resin and metal parts and decals. Contains also parts for a TT.5
- Special Hobby
- Kit 4841: Fairey Firefly MKIV, MKV (Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, MLD)
- kit SH48166: Fairey Firefly U MK8 "Drone Version"
- kit SH48130: Fairey Firefly AS MK7 "Anti Submarine"
- kit SH48145: Fairey Firefly MK1 "Initial British Missions over Korea"
- kit SH48136: Fairey Firefly MKIV, MKV (Korean War - FAA, RAN)
- kit SH48151: Fairey Firefly MK1 "Foreign Post war Service"
- kit SH48131: Fairey Firefly F/FR MK1 "Pacific Fleet"
- kit SH48127: Fairey Firefly MK1 "Home fleet"
Modelling add-on
- Airwaves
- Set SC48111: Fairey Firefly MK1 (early version).
- set AC48106: Fairey Firefly Wingfold (AZ models).
- AZ Models
- Set A4820: Fairey Firefly F1, FR1, NF1 Propeller set and exhaust pipes (Special Hobby)
- Cooper Details
- Set 4829: Fairey Firefly Long and short cannon barrels
- set 4838: Fairey Firefly MK1 Canopy (Grand Phoenix)
- set 4828: Fairey Firefly MK1 prop and Spinner (Grand phoenix
- set 4826: Fairey Firefly MK1 Main Wheels (Grand Phoenix) also fits Barracuda and Typhoon
- set 4827: Fairey Firefly MK1 Late Style Main Wheels (Grand Phoenix)
- Falcon
- set 1972: canopies voor verschillende vliegtuigtypen zoals Firefly.
- Master, reality in Miniature
- Set 48-097: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with Short fairings
- set 48-096: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with Long fairings
- set 48-095: Fairey Firefly Hispano 20mm Cannon with uncovered Barrels
- Scale Aircraft Conversions
- Set 48248: Fairey Firefly Landing Gear (Special Hobby)
Decals
- --
- Set --: --
| Scheme | Colour name | FS number | BS number | Humbrol | XtraColour | Vallejo ModelColour | Vallejo ModelAir | Hataka | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard #1: FAA scheme | Upper surfaces | Dark Slate Grey | 102 | X025 | 70.892 | 71.092 | ~202 | ||
| Extra Dark Sea Grey | ~6099 | BS:640 | 123 / 106 | X-5 / X-376 | 70.866 | 71.110 | ~140 | ||
| Undersides | Sky | - | BS:210 | 90 | X004 / X130 | - | 71.302 | ~026 | |
| Standard #2: post war FAA scheme | Upper surfaces | Extra Dark Sea Grey | ~6099 | BS:640 | 123 / 106 | X-5 / X-376 | 70.866 | 71.110 | ~140 |
| Lower surface | Sky | - | BS:210 | 90 | X004 / X130 | - | 71.302 | ~026 | |
| Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1/T.Mk.2 | |||||||||
| FAA scheme | Overall | Trainer Yellow | BS:356 | 154 | 70.953 | 71.078 | - | ||
Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.
Fairey Firefly Mk.I
Fairey Firefly Mk.4/5
Fairey Firefly T.Mk.1/2
Literature.
| PAM News International: Improving the Fairey Firefly Mk.1 | Richard Ball | |||
| Warbirds: Firefly, a masterpiece for the matelots: Part 1 & 2 | ||||
| Air International, Fairey’s final fighter | Cpt Eric Brown | 1979 | ||
| Aircraft in detail: Fairey Firefly | Alan.W. Hall | |||
| Scale Aircraft Modelling, The Ian Huntley Column: Fairey Firefly Mk 1 (several articles) | Ian Huntley | |||
| Inside story: Fairey Firefly F.1 (a closer look al Duxfords Firefly) | Jim Howard | |||
| Conversion topic: Fairey Firefly T.1 | Peter Lockhard | |||
| PAM News International: Fairey Firefly – from First prototype to Mk.3 | Richard Ball | |||
| The winged anchor: Accurate Firefly 5 | Graham Young | FAA SIG van IPMS UK | ||
| Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. | Hugo Hooftman | Pag. 94 - 99 | 1977 | Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel |
| Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 | Paul A. Jackson | Pag. 66; 81 | 1978 | Midland Countries Publications, Leicester |
| Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen | Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof | Pag. 47; 53 | 1978 | Omniboek, 's Gravenhage |
| AviaHobby: De eerste vuurvliegen van de MLD | Nico Geldhof | 1980 | Uitg. Wyt, Rotterdam | |
| AviaHobby: Fairey Firefly F.R.4 en N.F.5 van de MLD | Nico Geldhof | januari 1980 | Uitg. Wyt, Rotterdam | |
| Vliegen voor de Vloot 70 jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst | Harm J. Hazewinkel | Pag. 39 | 1987 | Rebo Produkties, Sassenheim |
| 70 Jaar Marine-LuchtvaartDienst | Nico Geldhof | Pag. 99 - 100 | 1987 | Uitgeverij Eisma b.v., Leeuwarden |
| WarPaint Series no. 28: Fairey Firefly F. MK. 1 to U.Mk.9 | Geoffrey Bussy | Hall Park Books Ltd., Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire | ||
| Modelbouw in Plastic jaargang 21, nummer 2: De Firefly van de Koninklijke Marine | Fred Bachofner | Pag. 34 - 45 | 1992 | I.P.M.S. Nederland, Nederland |
| Camouflage en Kentekens | J.Greuter e.a. | 1997 | Bonneville – Bergen (NH) | |
| 85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter | Peter Korbee | Pag. 92 - 93 | 2002 | Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg |
Websites.
Nederlands (nl-NL) 
English (United Kingdom)