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Blackburn Firebrand

Blackburn Firebrand

The Blackburn Firebrand was a carrier based strike fighter of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. Originally designed as a fighter, its low performance led to a redesign as a strike fighter. Deliveries to squadrons did not start until after World War Two and only 220 aircraft plus three prototypes were built. It was withdrawn from service in 1953.

Early Prototypes Blackburn B-37

Three prototypes ordered to meet Specification N.11/40, named Firebrand on 11 July 1941. Second prototype re-built as T.F. II prototype.

Trials Aboard HMS Pretoria Castle

Deck Landing Trials on HMS Illustrious February 1943

Firebrand F. I

Production variant of the Blackburn B.37 with an order for 50 aircraft to be built at Brough, most completed as T.F. II and T.F. III variants, first nine completed as F. Is.

Firebrand T.F. II

Improved variant, 12 built from original production branch.

Firebrand T.F. III

Blackburn B-45, a Centaurus VII powered-variant, two prototypes and 27 production aircraft for original production batch.

Firebrand T.F. IV

Blackburn B-46, improved variant with 2,520 bhp Centaurus IX or Centaurus 57, 250 ordered, but only 170 were completed, of which 124 were converted to T.F. 5 standard, some before delivery. Six were modified and designated as T.F. IV(mod).

Firebrand T.F. V

Improved variant, 124 modified from T.F. IV, two conversions to T.F. VA.

Firebrand T.F. VA

One prototype modified from a T.F. 5 and six conversions from either T.F. IV or Vs.

Blackburn Firebrand Crash on HMS Eagle, 10th June 1952

Blackburn Firebrand T.F. 5 Aircraft on HMS Implacable

Photographs of scale models of the Blackburn Firebrand can be found here.