Fairey FC1
| FC1 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Airliner |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation |
| Status | Unbuilt project |
|
| |
The Fairey FC1 was a British airliner project of the 1930s. Although an order was placed for 14 FC1s in 1938, work was stopped by the outbreak of the Second World War, and no examples were built.
Development and design
In 1938, the British Air Ministry, eager to encourage the development of British commercial land planes, which were seen to be lagging behind foreign designs, issued a pair of specifications for new airliners, the first, Specification 14/38 for a long-range airliner, and the second, 15/38, for a short/medium haul aircraft. Specification 14/38 was issued to Short Brothers only, who produced their S.32 design to meet it, while 15/38 was issued to a number of companies, including Fairey Aviation and General Aircraft Limited.[1]
Fairey's proposal, the FC1, was chosen as the winner of the competition in October 1938, and an order placed for two prototypes and twelve production aircraft, to be used by British Airways Ltd. on 12 November 1938.[2][3]
The FC1 was a four-engined low-winged monoplane with a pressurized cabin accommodating 26 passengers and a crew of 5. A nosewheel undercarriage was fitted, while the wings were fitted with Fairey-Youngman Flaps to aid take-off and landing performance. Four Bristol Taurus radial engines were to power the aircraft.[4][5]
Charles Richard Fairey is said to have spent at least ₤1 million out of his own pocket on the project. The project was cancelled on 17 October 1939 following the outbreak of the Second World War in September. Fairey proposed restarting the project after the end of the war in 1945, fitting more modern engines, but nothing came of the proposal.[6]
The then Secretary of State for Air when asked in the House of Commons, questions regarding the journey from London to Singapore made by Imperial Airways, if there were any modern aircraft being constructed for Imperial Airways by which might reduce the journey time replied; "It is intended to speed up progressively the time-table of the Empire Service by an extension of night flying and also, in due course, by the construction of aircraft, prototype production orders for which have already been placed for 14 aircraft being constructed by Fairey's, for completion in 1941 or 1942, to be used on this and other routes."[7]
Specification (March 1939 design)
Data from Fairey Aircraft since 1915[8]
General characteristics
- Capacity: 26 passengers
- Length: 82 ft 0 in (24.99 m)
- Wingspan: 105 ft 0 in (32.00 m)
- Wing area: 1,300 sq ft (120 m2)
- Gross weight: 42,000 lb (19,051 kg) (short haul)
- Powerplant: 4 × Bristol Taurus radial engines, 1,000 hp (750 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 275 mph (443 km/h; 239 kn) at 13,000 ft (3,970 m)
- Cruise speed: 225 mph (196 kn; 362 km/h)
- Range: 1,700 mi (1,477 nmi; 2,736 km)
See also
References
- ↑ Taylor Air Enthusiast September 1972, p. 144.
- ↑ Taylor 1974, p. 299.
- ↑ Taylor Air Enthusiast September 1972, p. 146.
- ↑ Taylor 1974, pp. 301–302.
- ↑ Taylor Air Enthusiast September 1972, pp. 147–148.
- ↑ Taylor 1976, pp. 302–303.
- ↑ Some Past Achievements and Future Problems : Post-war Developments By W. NICHOLS, A.R.Ae.S, Flight Global 1941
- ↑ Taylor 1974, p. 303.
- Nichols, W. "Transport Aircraft: Some Past Achievements and Future Problems: Post War Developments." Flight, 17 December 1942. pp. 664–667.
- Taylor, H.A. Fairey Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-370-00065-X.
- Taylor, H.A. "A Short Fairey Tale...still born airliners of the 'thirties". Air Enthusiast, September 1972, Vol 3 No 3. pp. 144–150.
