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Fairey Fulmar
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Fairey Fulmar

Fairey Fulmar
Description
Role Carrier-borne fighter
Crew 2
First Flight January 4, 1940
Entered Service July 1940
Manufacturer Fairey Aviation
Dimensions
Length 40 ft 2 in 12.24 m
Wingspan 46 ft 5 in 14.14 m
Height 14 ft 2 in 4.30 m
Wing area ft² m²
Weights
Empty lb kg
Loaded 9,672 lb 4,387 kg
Maximum takeoff lb kg
Powerplant
Engines 1 x Rolls Royce Merlin VIII or 30 Vee type
Power 1,080 hp (Merlin VIII)
1,300 hp (Merlin 30) 		805 kW
970 kW
Performance
Maximum speed 272 mph
at 7,250 ft 		438 km/h
at 2,200 m
Combat range 780 miles 1,255 km
Ferry range miles km
Service ceiling 27,200 ft 8,300 m
Rate of climb ft/min m/min
Wing loading lb/ft² kg/m²
Power/Mass hp/lb kW/kg
Armament
Guns 8 x 0.303 in Browning machine gun
1 x 0.303 Vickers K machine gun in rear cabin
Bombs 2 x 100 lb
or 250 lb bombs 		2 x 45 kg
or 110 kg

The Fulmar was a carrier-borne fighter of the Fleet Air Arm built by Fairey Aviation during 1940. It was based upon the Fairey Battle light bomber that had been developed in 1936. It was distinguished as the first eight-gun fighter to serve with the FAA but its performance, like that of its Battle ancestor, was lacking.

The Fulmar underwent rapid development. The design was developed to Specification O.8/38 but no prototype was built and the Fulmar went straight into production, the first plane flying on January 4, 1940. Two types of Fulmar were produced; the Mark I was powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin VIII engine and the Mark II was powered by the Merlin 30. Only 250 Mark Is and 350 Mark IIs were built during the production life of the Fulmar.

The first squadron to be equipped with the Fulmar was No.806 Squadron FAA in July, 1940 and this squadron began operating from HMS Illustrious shortly afterwards. In total, 14 squadrons were equipped with the Fulmar.

The Fulmar was not well matched with land-based fighters so was replaced by the likes of the Supermarine Seafire in 1942. It saw useful service in night-time roles as a convoy escort and intruder.

Related content
Related Development Fairey Battle
Similar Aircraft Blackburn Skua
Designation Series Battle - Seafox - Fulmar - Albacore - Barracuda
Related Lists List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm
List of Aircraft | Aircraft Manufacturers | Aircraft Engines | Aircraft Engine Manufacturers
Airlines | Air Forces | Aircraft Weapons | Missiles | Years in Aviation