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Fairey Ferret

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Ferret
Ferret Mk.III
Role Two-seat general-purpose biplane
National origin United Kingdom
Manufacturer Fairey Aviation Company
First flight June 1925
Number built 3

The Fairey Ferret was a 1930s British general-purpose biplane designed and built by the Fairey Aviation Company.[1] It performed well in trials but was not ordered into production.[1]

Development

The Ferret was designed to meet a Fleet Air Arm requirement defined by specification 37/22[2] for a reconnaissance aircraft; it was the company's first all-metal design.[1] With a lack of interest from the FAA the company proposed the design to meet a Royal Air Force requirement for a general-purpose biplane.[1]

The company built three prototypes, two were three-seaters (to meet the naval requirement) and the third was a two-seater.[1] The two-seater Ferret III was also fitted with a new Fairey-designed high-speed gun mounting in the rear cockpit.[1] The first prototype first flew in June 1925 powered by a 400 hp (298 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV radial engine.[1] The other two aircraft had a nine-inch extension to the wingspan and both were fitted with a 425 hp (317 kW) Bristol Jupiter radial engine.[1]

The aircraft performed well during trials at RAF Martlesham Heath but was not ordered into production.[1]

Variants

Fairey Ferret I
Ferret Mk I
Three-seat prototype powered by a 400hp (298kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IVl radial engine, one built.[1]
Ferret Mk II
Three-seat prototype powered by a 425hp (317kW) Bristol Jupiter radial engine, one built.[1]
Ferret Mk III
Two-seat prototype powered by a 425hp (317kW) Bristol Jupiter radial engine, one built.[1]

Specifications (Ferret III)

Data from [1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: two

Performance

References

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Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Orbis 1985, pp. 1695-1696
  2. ^ a b Taylor, 1974 & 129-133

Bibliography

  • The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  • Taylor, H.A. (1974). Fairey Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam Publishing. ISBN 0-370-00065-X.
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