Fairey Firefly

The Fairey Firefly was design as a carrier-based fighter to replace the Fairey Fulmar. Although an improvement on the Fulmar’s performance, protracted development meant that by the time it entered service, the Firefly was not competitive as a fighter. The requirement for a two man crew impacted performance at a time the US and Japanese navies were using single-seat fighters. In the European Theatre, it would face land-based single seat fighters.

The Firefly’s first operational deployment was in July 1944, when they equipped 1770 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Indefatigable. Initial operations were armed reconnaissance and anti-shipping strikes along the Norwegian coast. In the Far East and Pacific theatres, Fireflies undertook strike missions against oil refineries, airfields and other targets until the end of the war.

Post-war the Firefly was used as a strike aircraft during the Korean War, operating from Commonwealth aircraft carriers. It’s role later expanded to include anti-submarine patrols, target tug and training duties.