Fairey "Firefly" FR Mk. I "286-V" – the British reconnaissance fighter

Fairey "Firefly" – the British reconnaissance fighter. All-metal construction with retractable landing gear combat aircraft of the Second World War. “Fairey’ designed a new cantilever low-wing aircraft, similar in form to the earlier “Fulmar”, but slightly smaller and heavier. The construction was appreciated by the Admiralty and 200 serial aircraft were ordered, without waiting for the completion of the prototype and a test flight. This significantly accelerated the work, in November 1940 the first drawings were completed, and in December 1941 the first aircraft, still assembled in the experimental workshop, was flown by the factory's chief test pilot, Chris Staniland. The first serial aircraft flew in January 1943 and deliveries to units began in March of that year. The aircraft were assigned to 1770 Squadron, operating from the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS “Indefatigable”. They were used in attacks on the battleship “Tirpitz” in April 1944. The aircraft played a larger role in the Pacific, where they operated alongside the “Avengers” in the attack on the Pangkalan Brandan oil refinery in Sumatra. A total of 459 F Mk.I versions and 236 FR Mk.I (Fighter Reconnaissance) aircraft with the ASH radar on a pylon under the engine were built. In addition, 140 NF Mk.I fighter aircraft - a night fighter version with the AI Mk.X radar - were built. The Fairey “Firefly’ was a very good and reliable aircraft. However, its wartime success was only the beginning of a long post-war career, that lasted until 1958.

A medium-complexity, well-designed and richly detailed model of a World War II reconnaissance fighter for intermediate to advanced modelers. The model has perfectly reproduced cockpit equipment, landing gear, its niches, control plates can be assembled together with the main plates, as well as separate, excellent exterior detailing, beautiful camouflage in quite soft colors, there is even a hanging weapon: the bombs. It is possible to make a folding wing. There is a small reserve of colors. There are no textual instructions, the graphical ones are large, detailed, informative and easy to read. From the publication You can make a model of the Fairey "Firefly" FR Mk. I (side number - 286, side marking "V", serial number - DV 117) reconnaissance fighter of the 15th CAG 814 Division, based on the aircraft carrier HMS "Venerable" in September 1945.