Spotlight Fairey F i r e y Scrutinizes the history of...

The Fairey

Above ntroduced in 1943, the Fairey contract going to Blackburn for its While Fairey Firefl y AS.5 Firefly is among several types Firebrand. the first VT362 in Fleet Air F i r e y to have served the Fleet Air The Firefly was designed by aircraft were Arm service. This aircraft was struck Arm well during World War H E Chaplin, and on December in action, ITwo and beyond. A two-seat naval 22, 1941, the first prototype tests were continuing at Boscombe off charge on September 26, 1950 fighter-bomber and reconnaissance took to the air. Due to its more Down and the Firefly was cleared at Yeovilton. aircraft, it was a development of powerful 1,730hp (1,290kW) to use underwing projectiles the Fulmar. The latter first flew in engine, it was soon apparent that in 1944. In April of that year the January 1940 and was very quickly the new machine was much faster aircraft proved itself capable of pressed into service aboard HMS than the Fulmar, even though it carrying a total of 16 and Illustrious, such was the need to was 4,000lb (1,810kg) heavier. two 45-gallon drop tanks without protect convoys sailing into Malta. Seeing its potential, the Admiralty an unacceptable loss of performance The Firefly spent a longer period immediately placed an order for (in service, eight rockets were in development, but was much the 200. When production finally ended normally carried). Tests with a better aircraft, being considerably in 1955, over 1,700 had been built. variety of other ordnance were also more powerful and versatile. largely successful, proving the Fairey Development began in 1940, In Navy hands machine’s versatility. following an earlier Handling and performance trials As a result, crews were tasked with call for a ‘turret fighter’. The were carried out at Boscombe increasingly more demanding roles. specification was updated and the Down, Wilts, in 1942, before the Aircraft flew as fighter-bombers or turret idea dropped, leading Fairey first Mk.Is were delivered. They did were used in the Pacific to target to tender a design that could be not enter operational service until German submarines. Attacks on adapted for either single seat or July 1944 when they equipped 1770 enemy airfields, military bases and tandem seat use, and powered by Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS oil refineries were also undertaken. It either a Rolls-Royce Griffon or Indefatigable. The unit’s aircraft was against Japan in both the Indian engine. Given the flew anti-shipping patrols along the and Pacific Oceans that the Firefly necessity for navigating over open Norwegian coast, along with various operated for most of the war. The sea, all aircraft were eventually built armed reconnaissance sorties. type gained some renown when it as two-seaters, and the Griffon was Fireflies from the unit provided air became the first British-designed selected. A separate, single-seat cover while Avro Lancasters were and built aircraft to fly over aircraft intended to operate from attacking the German warship during attacks on Japan’s home naval bases was also built – the Tirpitz. islands.

70 FLYPAST September 2016 SPOT FACT The Indian Naval Air Arm operated Fire ies from 1955 as target tugs Origin & history

Most Fireflies were of the Mk.I family, comprising the ‘standard’ F.I fighter-bomber and FR.I fighter- reconnaissance model. The NF.I night-fighter had the same used in the latter, with most fitted with the more powerful Griffon XII engine. Another night-fighting variant – the NF.II – was built in limited numbers with a lengthened nose and wing-mounted airborne interception radar. Post-war A second generation of Fireflies, the Mk.IV series, was brought into production after the war. Powered by 2,190hp Griffon 74s, these aircraft remained in frontline service with the until the mid- 1950s. The UK also supplied aircraft to , , , , , and the . During the , British and Australian Fireflies flew ground strikes and anti-shipping patrols, and the type was also used in the . The Firefly was gradually replaced may have been the last to operate flew its AS.4s on a small number of Above by the , but several Fireflies, its ‘fleet’ soldiering on until operations against Indonesian forces Fairey Firefl ies and a versions of the type were developed 1966. The last time the aircraft was in Dutch New Guinea. Around Douglas Skyraider aboard HMS ‘Eagle’ south of for use as trainers, target tugs and used in anger by a European nation 24 Fireflies are believed to survive Greenland, probably in drones. The was 1962, when the Netherlands today. the early 1950s. BOTH KEY F i r e y Fairey Fire y F.1 AT A GLANCE: RANGE (miles)

0 250 500 750 1,000

1,070

AT A GLANCE: SPEED (mph) 0 100 200 300 Construction: A total of 1,702 of all models were built, including four prototypes, and 429 F.Is. First Flight: Developed from the Fulmar, the fi rst Firefl y got airborne on December 22, 1941. 319 Powerplant: One 1,730lb (1,290kW) Rolls-Royce Griffon IIB V-12 or 1,900hp Griffon XII driving a three-bladed propeller. Dimension: Span 44ft 6in (13.6m). Length 37ft 7in. Height 13ft 7in. Wing area 328sq ft (30.5sq m). Weight: Empty 9,750lb (4,423kg). Loaded 14,020lb. Performance: Max speed 319mph (513km/h) at 17,000ft (5,182m). Service ceiling 28,000ft. Initial rate of climb 1,700ft per min. Max range 1,070 miles (1,722km). AT A GLANCE: CEILING (feet) Armament: Four 20mm in wings, plus provision for two 1,000lb bombs or eight 0 7,000 14,000 21,000 28,000 60lb rockets under wings. Crew: Two – pilot and observer. 28,000 Note: performance and weights varied according to role and confi guration.

F.1s were built by General Aircraft 132 September 2016 FLYPAST 71 Spotlight Fairey F i r e y Clearing

the decksAndy Thomas pro les some of the aircrew who helped to make the Fire y a potent naval ghter

Above ormed at Yeovilton in On April 5, 1942 he survived Major ‘Cheese’ Somerset in September the sinking of the cruiser HMS Cheesman, CO of 1943, 1770 Squadron was Cornwall off Ceylon. Retrained 1770 Squadron. VIA AUTHOR the first unit to put the on fighters, he served on an escort FFairey Firefly into operational service. carrier in the Atlantic before joining Initially commanded by Lt Cdr I P 1770. Godfrey, in early February 1944 he handed over to a Royal Marine pilot, Target Tirpitz Major Vernon Cheesman. Having worked up, 1770 Squadron Universally known as ‘Cheese’, took the Firefly to sea for the first he had joined the marines in time on May 18, 1944 when it 1936 but three years later began embarked on the carrier HMS training as a pilot. At first he flew Indefatigable. The ship’s air group the and was trained for Operation Mascot – awarded an MBE for a mid-ocean strikes against the elusive rescue in one of these ungainly Tirpitz moored in Altenfjord in amphibians. northern Norway. This huge vessel

72 FLYPAST September 2016 SPOT FACT The Fire y entered operational Men Behind service in July 1944 t h e F i r e y Clearing

posed a continuing threat to the cold, barren and desolate. An engine led 1770 Squadron back onto Above left Arctic convoy route to North failure here meant, out harp and Indefatigable for further attacks, A Firefl y I of 1770 Russia. halo and hello St Peter!” known as Operation Goodwood, Squadron landing on ‘Implacable’ after one of Working closely with the strike German radar detected the strike staged on the 22nd, 24th and 29th. the ‘Tirpitz’ strikes in the leader, Lt Cdr Roy Baker-Falkner, force, so by the time it arrived The fleet carriers were bolstered by summer of 1944. Cheesman’s unit was to escort Fairey Tirpitz was wreathed in a protective two escort carriers, HMS Nabob and N FRANKLIN Barracuda dive-bombers to the smoke screen and very few of the Trumpeter. target and then fly ahead to suppress airmen even caught a glimpse Once again a combination of low Below flak batteries. The strike launched of the ship. The Fireflies and cloud and German preparedness A Firefl y I fi tted with a podded ASH. AUTHOR’S from Indefatigable, Formidable and Grumman Hellcats tasked with flak foiled the strikes, which caused COLLECTION Furious in the early hours of July suppression were the first to attack only slight damage. Cheesman led 17 with Cheesman leading 1770 before turning their attention to a his Fireflies on each of the attacks, at sea level before having to climb destroyer, which suffered superficial successfully strafing flak up to 9,000ft (2,743m) to cross the damage, and a small vessel which batteries around Tirpitz. He mountains. was forced aground, heavily was awarded the DSO for He wrote afterwards: “What cruel- damaged. the determined way he looking terrain that was; all white, In early August Cheesman led his unit.

examples were initially ordered by the Admiralty 200 September 2016 FLYPAST 73 SPOT FACT The Fire y was produced from 1941 until 1955

Above First ‘kill’ Lt Douglas Price In November 1944, Indefatigable “Over Pladjoe, Stott and Ward red (right) with sailed for the , taking his observer. on a Ki-43 which disintegrated Both played an 1770 Squadron along. Assembling important part in in Ceylon, it was decided that under the weight of re from the the development of Indomitable, Indefatigable and naval night-fi ghting Victorious should strike Japanese Fire y’s cannon” capability. AUTHOR’S targets in northern Sumatra. COLLECTION Cheesman with his observer, Lt Above right D J C Wilkey, in Firefly I DT943 attacks, although the armoured swarm of Japanese Ki-43 Oscars A Ki-51 ‘Sonia’ under led 1770 against the refinery at decks of the British carriers reduced and Nakajima Ki-44 Tojos and the attack by a Firefl y of Pangkalan Brandan on January their vulnerability. With Cheesman’s escorts became heavily engaged. 1770 Squadron off 4, 1945. The aircraft carried 60lb 1770 Squadron well to the fore, Over Pladjoe, Stott and Ward fired Formosa, April 12, rocket projectiles – a weapon operations continued throughout on a Ki-43 which disintegrated 1945. VIA C F SHORES ‘Cheese’ had been agitating for – April and May, the Fireflies under the weight of lead from the which were used to great effect. unleashing almost 1,000 rockets Firefly’s cannon. On return, DT943 ran out of fuel during that time. The pair returned for the second and ditched astern of Indefatigable, The last strikes took place on May Meridian attack five days later when but Cheesman and Wilkey were 25, after which, having spent 62 the Japanese again put up vigorous soon picked up. ‘Cheese’ was days at sea during the campaign, the opposition. Stott tackled a Ki-43 awarded the DSC, making him fleet headed for Australia. Following and, along with Sub Lt Martin, probably the most decorated pilot in a highly eventful and successful tour shared another ‘kill’. the Fleet Air Arm at the time. Cheesman handed over command Piloting DT935, Lt D Levitt The carriers left Ceylon on of 1770 on June 22. He continued downed another and shared a second January 16, heading for Australia, flying until 1950 when he retired. with a fellow Firefly. Sadly, Levitt conducting strikes en route. A He died in June 1999. and his New Zealander observer, Lt complex of refineries around J F Webb, failed to return. Sub Lt Palembang on the Moesi River on Fire y ‘ace’ Pugh meanwhile got another Oscar the northeast coast of Sumatra held One of Cheesman’s pilots, Sub and destroyed one more, shared with significant risk as the aircraft would Lt John Phillip Stott, was aboard Sub Lt Redding. have to fly over enemy territory for Indefatigable when it participated Stott was on Indefatigable during 150 miles (241km) to get to their in Operation Lentil, the successful the action against Okinawa. On objective. attack on Pangkalan Brandan April 12, 1945, with Lt Ward as During the attack, Cheesman’s on January 4, 1945. The strike, observer, he launched in Firefly Firefly developed a problem and involving more than 90 aircraft, saw DV119 as No.2 to Lt Walter he had to pass leadership to his 1770’s Fireflies suppressing enemy Thomson, providing escort to a senior pilot, Lt Dennis Levitt, who defences. US Navy Martin PBM Mariner shot down a Nakajima Ki-43 Oscar Stott, who usually flew with the flying-boat on a rescue task off the fighter, the first aerial victory by a unit’s senior observer, Lt D J Ward, northeast coast of Formosa. Firefly pilot. attacked a Ki-43 in concert with Sub Flying at 1,000ft, the pair spotted Lt Redding; they shared in shooting five obsolete Mitsubishi Ki 51 Kamikaze attacks it down. Stott then attacked the Sonias off Kumi Island, probably on The strike force returned on January harbour at Pangkalan Soe Soe with a Kamikaze mission. Breaking off, 24 and 29, inflicting more damage 60lb rockets before returning to the the Fireflies attacked the desperately on the refineries. Afterwards the carrier. evading Japanese and each shot fleet continued to the Pacific to take He also took part in Operation down two – and between them part in the invasion of Okinawa as Meridian against Palembang on probably destroyed the fifth. part of Task Force 57. January 24 and 29. On the first In shooting down the Sonias, During Operation Iceberg, which of these attacks, 1770’s Fireflies Stott became the first and only was also known as the Battle of provided close escort to Grumman Firefly pilot to down five enemy Okinawa, the ships were exposed to Avengers. aircraft and so became an ‘ace’. He the horrors of Japanese ‘kamikaze’ The strike was opposed by a continued in action off Okinawa

74 FLYPAST September 2016 Men Behind t h e F i r e y

Swordfish-equipped 816 Squadron Left aboard HMS Dasher for convoy A Firefl y of 1770’s sister escort duties. unit, 1771 Squadron, carrying a load of 60lb Price joined a blind flying training rockets. R MACWHIRTER unit in mid-1943 before attending a night-fighter course on Fairey Below Fulmars, where he teamed up Firefl y I DV126 of 1770 with his observer, Sub Lt Robert Squadron unfolding its wings aboard Armitage. In October both were ‘Indefatigable’, January posted to fly DH Mosquito XIIs 1945. N FRANKLIN with the RAF’s 29 Squadron in the night fighting role. Remaining with the unit through most of 1944 they had considerable success, being credited with three enemy aircraft until the carrier returned to a pod-mounted ASH radar in the destroyed and two damaged. Australia, by which time he had autumn of 1944, the NFIU sent The victories made Price and been promoted to lieutenant. Late crews to Coltishall, Norfolk, to Armitage the most successful Fleet in the summer, Phillip Stott was gain experience of night operations Air Arm night-fighter crew and both Mentioned in Despatches, while Lt against V-1 flying-bombs. were awarded the DFC, an unusual Ward received the DSC. Radio failure frustrated the first decoration for naval officers. With sortie – on the night of October their wealth of experience the pair V-1 stalking 25/26 – by Lts J H Neale and J C joined NFIU in 1945, firstly at Formed at Lee-on-Solent, Harrison in MB419. Lts Howell and Ford and later at West Raynham, Hampshire, in November 1942 Lester, again in MB419, gained a Norfolk. under Major L A ‘Skeets’ Harris, radar contact on a V-1 on November Price went on to conduct many 746 Squadron served as the Naval 21/22 but the missile is thought trials on Firefly NF.IIs. Early in Fighter Interception Unit (NFIU). to have crashed into the sea. The 1946 he was seconded, along with a The following month it moved to detachments ended in December. Firefly, to the US Navy Test Centre Ford in Sussex to be alongside the at Patuxent River, Maryland. RAF’s FIU, which had pioneered Nocturnal Fire ies He spent much of the rest of his nocturnal interception techniques To provide a cadre of experienced career on test and development with radar-equipped fighters. night-fighters the Fleet Air Arm work interspersed with periods on The first Firefly Is joined the seconded a number of pilots to fly frontline units, including leading NFIU in May 1943, the unit with the RAF. Among them was Sub a squadron. receiving its first NF.II versions in Lt Douglas Price, who had originally Douglas Price eventually retired with February 1945. After trials with been posted to join the Fairey the rank of commander.

were built in total 1,702 September 2016 FLYPAST 75 SPOT FACT Dutch Fire ies carried out attack sorties in Dutch New Guinea in 1962

Colonial

FightersFrom 1946 the Netherlands took the Fire y into combat in the East Indies. Andy Thomas details how the design found a new lease of life

Above y late 1945 the air arm Sjerp took over command and on July was a welcome reinforcement as the Firefl ies of 860 of the Royal Netherlands 27 the unit was transferred to Dutch Dutch had assumed responsibility Squadron over Java Navy was re-equipping and control. After a brief workup, on for air support in the East Indies in 1947. had become the first export August 26 the Fireflies embarked on from the RAF on September 19, customerB for the . As the Karel Doorman, the former HMS 1946. The unit quickly established, peace descended on Europe, the Nairana, and the carrier steamed to flying tactical reconnaissance sorties Netherlands found itself at war Java, in the Dutch East Indies. and providing on-call air support to on the other side of the world. marines and army forces. Having helped to rid Java of the Counter-insurgency The last British forces left in Japanese, Indonesian nationalists Karel Doorman arrived off Java on November, by which time the were determined not to allow their October 12 and 860’s 15 Fireflies nationalists and the Dutch had former colonial masters to return. disembarked to Kemajoran, near reached a form of agreement. There Under Lt Cdr Jan van der Tooren, Batavia (the present-day ). This were many breaches to the ceasefire 860 Squadron received its first Firefly move was not without incident; Firefly and 860 remained active. Is in January 1946 at Ayr in Scotland. 13 (the former Fleet Air Arm PP528) On May 14, 1947 Firefly 11-24 Initially the Fireflies wore British crashed on arrival and was written off. crash-landed in Indonesian-held roundels, but with the inverted Soon afterwards, 860 flew on to territory. The pilot made a good Dutch orange triangle on the Morokrembangan, near Soerabaja belly landing and his wingman nose and , to proclaim their in the east of the island. From there orbited overhead for protection until nationality. By 1947 Dutch roundels the unit began policing and counter- dusk as Dutch troops made a brave, and its national flag were applied. insurgency duties. but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt On February 14, 1946 Lt Cdr B The arrival of the capable Fireflies to reach the aircraft.

76 FLYPAST September 2016 Men Behind t h e F i r e y

Uneasy peace Peace talks broke down in July 1947. At dawn on July 21 the Fireflies went into action, attacking an airfield near the nationalist capital at Djokjakarta in central Java, destroying eight former Japanese aircraft of the embryonic on the ground. During the day Firefly 11-22 was shot down by nationalists with squadron stablemate 11-27 brought down on August 4. Another uneasy ceasefire came into effect the next day, although Dutch troops continued mopping

Above Post- The training variant of script the Firefl y was also used The demise of 860 Squadron did by the Dutch Naval Air not mean the end of the Firefly Service. This is T Mk.1 in Dutch service. A presence was 12-11 pictured in January maintained on the island of Biak 1948. It was scrapped in (see FlyPast August 2016) off the September 1959. north coast of New Guinea. On Left July 4, 1955 the naval air service Dispersed at Biak in the reformed 7 Squadron on the late 1950s, Firefl y FR.4s of island, equipped with Firefly FR.4s 7 Squadron. and FR.5s for air defence and Below reconnaissance. Dutch Naval Air Service agitated to recover Firefl y FR.4s of 7 up operations. In December 1948, Netherlands ceded independence to Biak and 7 Squadron was needed Squadron over New the Fireflies supported ‘police’ actions the nationalists. to maintain an operational Guinea in the late 1950s. that captured most republican towns With sovereignty transferred posture. The unit disbanded on until yet another ceasefire on January to Indonesia, 860 Squadron was January 15, 1962, by which time 1, 1949. disbanded on March 18, 1950 and Royal Netherlands Air Force Indonesian guerrilla activity its 11 surviving Fireflies were shipped Hawker Hunters of 322 Squadron continued until the final ceasefire home. During its time in the East had been deployed. The Fireflies in August. An accord was signed on Indies, the unit had flown more than were withdrawn and scrapped on Fighters December 22, 1949 in which the 2,000 operational sorties. site.

Fire y TT.1s ew in between January 1949 and October 1963 19 September 2016 FLYPAST 77 Spotlight Fairey F i r e y

Faithful

servantAndy Hay artwork of a Firefly that flew with the ’s Fleet Air Arm Artwork he Firefly was a longstanding Our subject is F.1 Z2030, which of 200 ordered from Fairey in June Fairey Firefl y F.1 staple of the Fleet Air Arm flew with 790 Naval Air Squadron. It 1940. Some of these were built to Z2030 ‘Z8M’ during its time with 790 (FAA) during World War was delivered to 15 MU on April 30, NF.II standard and 12 were cancelled. Naval Air Squadron. Two and beyond. Produced 1944, and was received by its FAA unit In total, 429 F.1s were built (total ANDY HAY-2016 Tfrom 1941 until 1955, the type was on June 20. Coded ‘Z8M’, it served Firefly production came to just over declared operational with the Royal with 790, then based at RNAS Dale 1,700). After 1956, several versions Navy in 1944 and flew on until 1956 near Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, of the type flew on as trainers, when it was replaced by the Fairey until October 1945. Its operational life target tugs and drone Gannet. Although the Firefly took a came to an end that month when it aircraft, while others long time to start its duties, the fact it was damaged in a landing accident. were acquired by racked up 12 years of active service at Powered by a 1,730hp (1,290kW) overseas operators, a time when technology was rapidly Rolls-Royce Griffon II, Firefly Z2030 including the advancing is impressive. was among the last of an original batch .

78 FLYPAST September 2016 SPOT FACT It was designed to meet a 1938 F i r e y Air Ministry speci cation for a naval ghter i n p r o  l e

units belonging to the  ew Fire ies 6 September 2016 FLYPAST 79 Spotlight Fairey F i r e y Another Graham Pitchfork examinesWar the incredible contribution Fire ies made during the Korean con ict

Below hen thousands of Intensive sorties ammunition dumps also received A Firefl y FR.5 of 825 North Korean troops At dawn on July 3, 1950, all 12 attention from the Fireflies. Squadron about to take the wire on swarmed across the Fireflies of 827 Squadron, led by The versatility of the type was ‘Ocean’ in Korean border and into the CO, flew the Fleet Air Arm’s frequently demonstrated when VIA AUTHOR WSouth Korea on June 25, 1950, the first Korean theatre operation they were also tasked for close waters. light fleet carrier HMS Triumph of when they attacked hangars and support operations hitting troop the British Eastern Fleet was in the installations on Haeju airfield in positions and armour. Additionally, area. It arrived off the west coast with rocket projectiles Fireflies provided gun direction of Korea on July 2 where it joined (RPs). This heralded the beginning for naval forces engaged in shore Task Force 77 under Rear of continuous action by Firefly units bombardment. For such sorties they Hoskins of the US Navy. on a rotational basis throughout the were fitted with non-jettisonable 45 Embarked on Triumph were two three-year war. gal (204 lit) wing tanks giving two squadrons: 800 with Supermarine The Firefly’s primary task was hours over the target area, greatly Seafire FR.47s and the Firefly- to support the land forces with reducing the number of aircraft equipped 827. Led by Lt Cdr B C a mix of bombs and RPs up to a required to maintain continuous Lyons, 827 Squadron was the last maximum of 2,000lb (907kg) plus cover. operational Fleet Air Arm unit to be four 20mm cannon in the wings. equipped with Firefly FR.1s. Sorties were flown at intensive rates, Carrier relay Five years earlier, in waters not far sometimes reaching 120 a day, often Each of the Royal from where Triumph was cruising, in harsh weather conditions. Navy’s carriers Fireflies had fought the Japanese. Now Targets were classed as interdiction remained on station, 827’s complement of a dozen ageing sorties when railways, rolling stock, predominantly on the FR.1s were preparing for the type’s river traffic and shipping were west coast, for about four second major war. attacked. Stores, months before being fuel and relieved. The

80 FLYPAST September 2016 SPOT FACT The type was retired by F i r e y The Royal Navy in 1956 in Combat War

embarked squadrons of Fireflies and complimented the personnel of positions and gun emplacements. Above left FB.11s (which the repair and maintenance carrier, Bigger targets, such as rail yards and With Firefl ies on deck, Unicorn HMS ‘Ocean’ during had replaced Seafires) worked in HMS , which provided tunnels, required 1,000lb bombs. replenishment at Sasebo, close co-operation with the larger crucial support to keep the By the time Theseus was relieved Japan. VIA AUTHOR carriers of the US Navy. FR.1s, the majority of which by Glory in April, the crews of On October 5, 1950 HMS Theseus were of World War Two 810 Squadron had amassed very Above relieved Triumph. It carried the Sea vintage, serviceable. impressive statistics. Almost 7,000 Firefl y FR.5 WB421 at Furies of 807 Squadron and 12 The winter of 1950-1951 rockets had been fired while the the point of taking the wire on HMS ‘Theseus’, newly built Firefly FR.5s of 810 was harsh and the carrier’s 500lb and 1,000lb bombs dropped 1951. KEC Squadron. As the changeover took air group was able to fly totalled, respectively, 1,390 and place, 827 Squadron paid off its on only 17 days during 84. Junks, railway wagons, gun Mk.1s. December. Despite this, positions and buildings had been The unit disbanded the following more than 630 sorties destroyed, all for the loss of four month, in preparation for adopting were flown without an aircraft, two due to accidents. the large TF.5s accident. In February in December. The CO of 827, that figure rose Spring offensive Lt Cdr Lyons, to 1,500, a Aboard Glory were the Fireflies of remarkable 812 Squadron. The carrier’s tour achievement. coincided with the Chinese spring Close support offensive, which included the fierce and armed battles on the Imjin River. For reconnaissance 812’s crews, the established pattern were the main continued with bombing, strafing activities during the and rocket attacks. early months of 1951 Intense and accurate low-level with strafing and RP anti-aircraft fire took its toll. One attacks against enemy troop

Royal Australian Navy units were equipped with Fire ies 6 September 2016 FLYPAST 81 SPOT FACT UK and Australian Fire ies ew attack ‘ops’ from carriers in the Korean War

Below Firefly fell victim to this barrage lines of supply and communications alternated with another light fleet HMS ‘Glory’ relieved and had to be ditched but the crew were regular targets. carrier, Ocean, the fifth to see service HMS ‘Theseus’ in was rescued. Another crew was An attempt by five aircraft to block during the conflict. The Fireflies of Korean waters to the tune of ‘Anything killed when they were shot down a tunnel was unsuccessful, although 825 Squadron flew patrols over the You Can Do I Can Do behind enemy lines while bombing a the rail lines were damaged. A mainland and attacked anything that Better’ played by ; both had survived an earlier similar strike a few weeks later was moved in addition to pre-planned the ships band. A ditching. successful when both entrances to a static targets. few days later, the During six months of operations, tunnel near Chaeryong were closed. The arrival of Russian-built 2000th deck landing 812 had flown just over 1,000 During its four months in Korean Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 ‘Fagots’ of ‘Glory’s’ 14th Carrier Air group sorties but had lost eight aircraft, waters, Sydney had to contend changed the dynamic of the air war. since leaving home three pilots and three observers, with severe weather, including The MiGs had a clear advantage waters was made most due to ground fire. a particularly bad typhoon, and over the piston-engined Fleet Air by 812 Squadron’s After the departure of Glory it was a bitter winter. Despite these Arm types although Sea Fury pilot commanding offi cer, the turn of the Royal Australian problems, the carrier’s two Lt Peter Carmichael managed to Lt Com F A Swanton, Navy’s HMAS Sydney and 817 squadrons flew 2,336 sorties. At the shoot one down. seen about to touch down in his Fairey Squadron to take over the patrols. end of January 1952, Glory took Four Fireflies were attacked by the Firefl y. KEY Sydney arrived in Korean waters on over for a second spell. communist jets on July 24, 1952 October 4; this was the first time while returning from a strike. All that a Dominion had Anything that moves four were damaged and one was been in action. Operations changed little during the forced to ditch near Chodo Island. Commanding Sydney’s 21st Carrier following months: interdictions and The crew were rescued and the Air Group was the Royal Navy’s Lt close support provided the majority others recovered to the carrier safely. Cdr Michael Fell DSO DSC who flew of sorties. The Royal Navy’s carriers and the many of the most difficult sorties. The communist forces had embarked squadrons continued to For his service in Korean waters Fell removed much of the population mount operations until July 27, was awarded a Bar to his DSC and from the coastal areas; therefore any 1953 when an armistice was signed. eventually retired as a vice-admiral. movement was almost certainly that During the conflict 14 aircrews had Apart from a special operation of the enemy. Ox-carts were one of been killed. on the east coast, Sydney’s aircrew the main targets and, as one pilot Firefly squadrons were in constant flew off the west of Korea, the remarked, “it is amazing on how action in the ground attack, fighter majority of sorties in support of the many occasions they blow up”. escort and artillery spotter roles. A Commonwealth Division. Enemy During the summer of 1952, Glory few flew briefly as night-fighters.

“The Fire ies of 825 Squadron ew patrols over the mainland and attacked anything that moved in addition to pre-planned static targets”

82 FLYPAST September 2016 F i r e y in Combat

It was a robust and reliable aircraft Left but by the end of the conflict it was HMS ‘Ocean’ at Hong obsolete. Kong, 1949. KEC With the Fleet Air Arm the type Below was destined to see little further Firefl ies of HMS ‘Ocean’ active service, although some fl y over Valetta and Grand squadrons took part in strikes during Harbour, Malta on a last the Malayan campaign. It also operational fl ight on April 7, 1952 before leaving for remained briefly in Korean waters Korea. ‘Ocean’ relieved where one Commonwealth carrier HMS ‘Glory’ which had on rotation continued to serve with been in Korean waters the United Nation’s peacekeeping since April 1951. KEY force. British and Australian Carriers on Korean duties Vessel On Station Firefl ies embarked HMS Triumph Jul to Oct 1950 827 Sqn, FR.1s HMS Theseus Oct 1950 to Apr 1951 810 Sqn, FR.5s HMS Glory Apr to Oct 1951 812 Sqn, FR.5s Nov 1952 to Jul 1953 821 Sqn, FR.5s HMAS Sydney Oct 1951 to Jan 1952 817 Sqn, FR.5s HMS Ocean May to Oct 1952 825 Sqn, FR.5s Jul 1953 810 Sqn, FR.5s

Left The Firefl y frequently used rocket-assisted take off packs when based on carriers. AS.5 variant, WB330 ‘238’ of 810 Squadron has its rockets lit as it begins its roll down the deck of HMS ‘Theseus’ during the confl ict. KEY

feet per minute was its maximum rate of climb 2,140 September 2016 FLYPAST 83 Spotlight Fairey F i r e y Canadian

Fire ies helped Canada to adopt carrier-borne anti-submarineLegacy warfare. Bill Cumming describes the type’s service

Right uring World War Two A Firefl y FR.1 of 825 Canadians served in the Squadron on the deck of HMCS ‘Warrior’, Royal Navy’s Fleet Air 1947. COURTESY Arm, but the country CANADIAN WARPLANE didD not have an independent naval HERITAGE air arm. At the Conference in August 1943 expansion of the Below and top right (RCN) was The Canadian discussed and in February 1945 an Warplane Heritage agreement was reached to transfer Firefl y AS.6 C-GBDG two light fleet carriers from the UK: fl ies in the colours HMCS Warrior and Magnificent. of RCN Mk.5 VH142 Firefly FR.Is were chosen for the of 1949. COURTESY CANADIAN WARPLANE RCN in January 1946 and 29 were HERITAGE taken on strength up to April 1947. The first nine arrived in Canada aboard the newly-commissioned HMCS Warrior on March 31, 1946. Operated by 825 Squadron, they were shore-based at Dartmouth, Sub-hunters electronics and the capability to Nova Scotia. The first FR.4 joined 825 Squadron drop sonobuoys to detect submerged In August of the following year, in February 1948 and the unit submarines, the initial AS.5s were 825 transferred its aircraft to 826 embarked on HMCS Magnificent in accepted by 825 Squadron on Squadron. The aircrew of 825 May. Along with the Mk.4s, four T.1 February 16, 1949. sailed to Britain on Warrior, where trainers were also taken on charge. Canada’s navy participated the unit re-equipped with nine Later a pair of FR.1s were converted annually in joint operations with Firefly FR.IVs (designated FR.4s by Fairey Aviation of Canada, to T.2 NATO fleets. In March 1950 from 1948). The Mk.IVs were weapons trainers. Fireflies were pitted against the being loaned by the Fleet Air Arm As part of its commitment to more modern equipment of the as interim equipment until anti- NATO in 1949 Canada adopted US Navy and one Firefly crew was submarine Fairey Firefly AS.5s the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) commended by the Americans for its became available. role. Equipped with upgraded “cunning and skill”.

84 FLYPAST September 2016 SPOT FACT Several former Canadian Fire ies were sold to Ethiopia in the 1950s Overseas operators Legacy

Canadian Warplane Heritage tribute Based at Hamilton, Ontario, Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH) has a Firefl y wearing the colours of a Mk.5 of 825 Squadron, RCN. It carries the serial number VH142, which was delivered to the RCN in February 1949, serving briefl y with the unit as ‘BD-G’. Nine months later it ditched off the coast of Nova Scotia following an engine failure. The CWH example was built as an AS.6, serial number WH632 for the British Fleet Air Arm. It went to the Volunteer Reserve unit 1840 Squadron at Ford, Sussex, in July 1951. It was transferred to the and Above despatched on the carrier HMS Sydney in June 1953. Shortcomings The Firefly AS.5 proved to be ill- Firefl y AS.5s on board Downgraded to an instructional airframe in April 1948, WH632 joined the Australian suited to all-weather ASW. With only HMCS ‘Magnifi cent’ Air League in June 1960 and was stored near Sydney. It was acquired by CWH from the while berthed in 1949. a 2½ hour endurance it could not be Ground running in the Museum of Aviation at Camden, and shipped to Hamilton in mid-1978. used for long-range patrols and its foreground is VH142 – the Civil registered in October 1991 as C-GBDG, to coincide with the code letters of the cramped fuselage offered little room to aircraft commemorated chosen RCN colour scheme, restoration to fl ying condition was completed at , move in. by the CWH example. KEY British Colombia. Delta-Golf’s post-restoration test fl ight took place on October 31, 1995. No sooner had the variant been COLLECTION www.warplane.com taken on strength than the RCN was searching for a replacement. The The CWH Firefl y while serving as WH632 with the Fleet Air Arm’s 1840 Squadron, from Ford in 1951. best machine available in sufficient COURTESY CANADIAN WARPLANE HERITAGE quantities was the Grumman Avenger. The first Avengers arrived in May 1950 to replace Fireflies. The AS.5s continued to be operated by 825 Squadron (re-numbered 880 Squadron in May 1951) until the end of November 1951. The other Firefly unit, 826 Squadron, re-equipped with Avengers in October 1950. Despite the type’s limitations in its given role, Fireflies gave the RCN the vital ASW coverage it needed, paving the way for later aircraft such as the Canadair Argus.

Fire y AS.5s ew from Royal Canadian Navy decks between 1946 and 1955 65 September 2016 FLYPAST 85 F i r e y Spotlight Photo File Fairey Below F i r e y Three Fleet Air Arm Firefl ies fl ying in formation with a trio of Hawker Sea Furies in 1948. ALL KEY

From the Archive Spotlight Next Month A collection of rarely seen images of the Fire y in British, Canadian and Dutch service Junkers Ju 52 Next month, our Spotlight will focus on a legend of German engineering, the tri-motor Junkers Ju 52. Manufactured from 1931 until 1952, the Junkers served in both military and civilian roles, and despite its seemingly crude design, proved reliable and ef cient. Examples continued to y for decades after the war, and several are still

airworthy today. We examine the A pair of two-seat Firefl y trainers fl ying in January 1948. Nearest the camera is 12-H of the Koninklijke Marine history of the ‘Tante Ju’ in our October (Royal Netherlands Navy) with T.1 Z2027 of the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. issue, on sale in the UK on September 1 – see page 52 for our latest money- saving subscription offers.

Five Royal Canadian Navy Firefl ies on the forward deck of HMCS ‘Magnifi cent’, probably in the late 1940s. The Firefl ies of 825 and 826 Squadrons were replaced by Grumman Avengers from 1950.

86 FLYPAST September 2016 Spotlight Fairey F i r e y 17 Pages in detail 70 Origin and history

72 In combat - Firefly in action

78 Firefly in profile

80 Men Behind the Machine

86 From the archive

This month our Spotlight focuses on the Fairey Fire y, a development of the relatively primitive Fulmar, and a machine that served the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm well during the latter years of World War Two. Although the Fire y spent a long time in development, it was used to great Main picture effect. A second generation of the type was brought into Fairey Firefl y TT.1 INS112 of the Indian Navy. Parts of this aircraft service after the war, and continued to operate with some are preserved at the Museum near Goa, India. KEY overseas air arms deep into the 1960s.