GregP
26th August 2005, 09:01
Back by popular demand! Here is another installment of “Greg’s Obscure Type,” or “GOT,” as Romantic Technofreak coined it. OK, not exactly by demand, but rather because I took the time to do it ... OK, I confess, I was waiting for my new internet connection and got bored enough to re-discover the joy of “Obscure Types.” I resume with the letter “F.”
This time, I define “Obscure” to mean types with low production rates OR types not commonly recognized by the average person with interest in WWII aviation. One such type is our first one, the Fairey Barracuda. It is NOT a low-volume type, but most people who like WWII aircraft, and who also do not live in England, do not recognize it. If they do, it is almost a universal, “Damn, that’s ugly!” Even though it gave good service, I contend it is “obscure” to a lot of people.
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Fairey Barracuda: Torpedo and Dive Bomber, 1940, U.K.
Span: 14.99m Length: 12.12m Height: 4.6m Wing Area: 40.9 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4241 kg Gross: 6396 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Rolls-Royce Type: Merlin 32 Power: 1223 kW
Speed Max: 367 kph Cruise: 311 Range: 1165 km Ceiling: 6585m
# Built: 2,600
An ugly beast with some innovative features. Seems to have been reliable, but had a face only a mother could love. With 2,600 built, it may not be exactly “obscure,” but many people have never heard of it in the U.S.A. Hence, it is included. Seems to have been a decent aircraft in service.
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Fairey Spearfish: Torpedo and Dive Bomber, 1946, U.K.
Span: 18.30m Length: 13.7m Height: 4.88m Wing Area: 49.2 sq. m
Weight Empty: 5640 kg Gross: 10000 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Bristol Type: Centaurus Power: 2585 kW
Speed Max: 482 kph Cruise: 416 Range: 1440 km Ceiling: 7200m
# Built: 5
The Fairey Spearfish was a prototype dive-bomber which never saw military service. It was a large aircraft with an internal weapons bay, and had a remote-control gun turret. Although not specially fast, with a wingspan exceeding 60ft the Spearfish was one of the largest single-engined aircraft designed for carrier ops. Designed to specification O.5/43 as a replacement for the Barracuda dive- bomber. The aircraft was powered by a single Centaurus engine driving a five-bladed propeller. Stores were carried in a bomb-bay and could include a single torpedo or 2,000lb of bombs or mines. Armament comprised two .5in Browning guns in the wings and two more in a remotely controlled dorsal barbette while sixteen RPs could be carried under the wings. ASV radar would be contained in a retractable 'dustbin' aft of the bomb-bay. I include it here because, even though it flew in 1946, it was built from a 1943 specification with a WWII engine and WWII technology.
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Farman NC.223 Bomber, 1940, France
Span: 33.58m Length: 22.00m Height: 5.08m Wing Area: 132.4 sq. m
Weight Empty: 10550 kg Gross: 19200 kg
# Engines: 4 Engine Mfg: Hispano-Suiza Type: 12Y29 Power: 679 kW
Speed Max: 400 kph Cruise: 280 kph Range: 2400 km Ceiling: 8000
# Built: 13
Development of the Farman F.222 bomber. It was a complete redesign, first flown in 1937, which entered service in 1940. The NC.223 had a new, metal wing. About 13 were built. The NC.223 dropped the first bombs to fall on Berlin. Farman became part of SNCAC.
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Fiat FC.20 Cansa, 1941, Attack, Italy
Span: 16.00m Length: 12.18m Height: 4.03m Wing Area: 40.0 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4770 kg Gross: 6820 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Fiat Type: A74 RC38 Power: 626 kW
Speed Max: 368 kph Range: 1150 km Ceiling: 7350
# Built: 7
Designed in late 1940 by Cansa (a subsidiary company of Fiat). The reconnaissance version had a glass nose, while the attack had a closed and strengthened nose. The results of both models were very disappointing and the production (no more than ten units) was interrupted in 1941. 1st flight Apr 1941.
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Fiat CR.25, 1940, Transport, Italy
Span: 16.00m Length: 16.56m Height: 3.4m Wing Area: 39.2 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4375 kg Gross: 6525 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Fiat Type: A74 RC38 Power: 641 kW
Speed Max: 460 kph Cruise: 378 kph Range: 2100 km Ceiling: 8000m
# Built: 10
The CR25 was one of the Fiat's best multirole aircraft. It was a solid, elegant and well-finished aircraft, and soon displayed its potentials. It carried out several tasks: long range fighter, medium range fast reconnoiterer, light bomber and even fast passenger cargo. Unfortunately the CR25 did not get the right appreciation by the High Command of the Regia Aeronautica, which was leaning towards other models - such as the Caproni 311, and only 10 were built. In almost 400 hours of war missions (patrolling convoys to Libya and reconnoiters on Malta) none of the CR25 had any technical accidents, and stopped all intruding attempts of the English Bristol Blenheim based in Malta.
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Fiat G.56 Fighter, 1944, Italy
Span: 11.85m Length: 9.56m Height: 3.13m Wing Area: 21.1 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2900 kg Gross: 3854 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Daimler-Benz Type: DB 603A Power: 1287 kW
Speed Max: 685 kph Range: 1280 km Ceiling: 12423m
# Built: 2
Development of the G.55 with a Daimler-Benz DB603A engine. Structural changes were limited to those needed to accommodate the larger engine. Ironically, the development of the G.56 was first demanded by the Germans, but production was forbidden by them. 2 built.
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Fieseler Fi.167, 1940, Carrier-Based Torpedo Bomber / Recon, Germany
Span: 13.50m Length: 11.40m Height: 4.80m Wing Area: 45.3 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2800 kg Gross: 4850 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Daimler-Benz Type: DB 601B Power: 820 kW
Speed Max: 325 kph Range: 1300 km Ceiling: 7957m
# Built: 13
Designed as a carrier based torpedo bomber, the Fi 167 proved to be a superb aircraft for the task but unfortunately the task never materialized with the abandonment of the Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier. Surpassing its nearest rival, the Ar 195, in every category, the Fi 167 proved to be an amazing aircraft. One notable demonstration showed the types excellent low speed performance when Fiesler himself sank the Fi 167 from 9,800 ft. to 100 ft. while remaining stationary over one spot while retaining full control. Twelve A-0 series aircraft followed the prototype, but without a carrier were delegated to coastal patrol duties in the Netherlands from 1940-1943 before eventually being sold to Romania.
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Here is a departure from WWII. This aircraft is from Argentina, but didn’t fly until 1950. Still, it was essentially made with WWII technology and with WWII methods and engines, so I hesitantly include it. If you find photos, you will think, as I do, that this plane is BEAUTIFUL.
FMA I.Ae.30 Namcu, 1950, Fighter / Attack, Argentia
Span: 15.00m Length: 11.52m Height: 5.16m Wing Area: 35.3 sq. m
Weight Empty: 6208 kg Gross: 7600 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Rolls-Royce Type: Merlin 604 Power: 1342 kW
Speed Max: 460 kph Cruise: 311 kph Range: 1678 km Ceiling: 8000m
# Built: 1
Single-seat escort fighter. The Namcu was a twin-engine monoplane with exceptionally clean lines, reminiscent in many respects of the British de Havilland Hornet. Performance was excellent, but there was no money to finance series production. Too bad, the performance was excellent. One built.
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Fokker XXIII, 1939, Fighter, Holland
Span: 11.50m Length: 10.20m Height: 3.80m Wing Area: 18.5 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2180 kg Gross: 2950 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Walter Sagitta Type: I-SR (air cooled) Power: 403 kW
Speed Max: 525 kph Cruise: 390 kph Range: 840 km Ceiling: 9000m
# Built: 1
Twin-engined, single-seat fighter. The D.XXIII had air-cooled in-line engines in a tandem arrangement, one in the nose and one in the end of the central nacelle. Slender booms carried the tailplane. The prototype was destroyed in 1940.
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There are a couple more in the F names, but that is enough obscure types for now, don’t you think?
More to come as I get bored again!
This time, I define “Obscure” to mean types with low production rates OR types not commonly recognized by the average person with interest in WWII aviation. One such type is our first one, the Fairey Barracuda. It is NOT a low-volume type, but most people who like WWII aircraft, and who also do not live in England, do not recognize it. If they do, it is almost a universal, “Damn, that’s ugly!” Even though it gave good service, I contend it is “obscure” to a lot of people.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fairey Barracuda: Torpedo and Dive Bomber, 1940, U.K.
Span: 14.99m Length: 12.12m Height: 4.6m Wing Area: 40.9 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4241 kg Gross: 6396 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Rolls-Royce Type: Merlin 32 Power: 1223 kW
Speed Max: 367 kph Cruise: 311 Range: 1165 km Ceiling: 6585m
# Built: 2,600
An ugly beast with some innovative features. Seems to have been reliable, but had a face only a mother could love. With 2,600 built, it may not be exactly “obscure,” but many people have never heard of it in the U.S.A. Hence, it is included. Seems to have been a decent aircraft in service.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fairey Spearfish: Torpedo and Dive Bomber, 1946, U.K.
Span: 18.30m Length: 13.7m Height: 4.88m Wing Area: 49.2 sq. m
Weight Empty: 5640 kg Gross: 10000 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Bristol Type: Centaurus Power: 2585 kW
Speed Max: 482 kph Cruise: 416 Range: 1440 km Ceiling: 7200m
# Built: 5
The Fairey Spearfish was a prototype dive-bomber which never saw military service. It was a large aircraft with an internal weapons bay, and had a remote-control gun turret. Although not specially fast, with a wingspan exceeding 60ft the Spearfish was one of the largest single-engined aircraft designed for carrier ops. Designed to specification O.5/43 as a replacement for the Barracuda dive- bomber. The aircraft was powered by a single Centaurus engine driving a five-bladed propeller. Stores were carried in a bomb-bay and could include a single torpedo or 2,000lb of bombs or mines. Armament comprised two .5in Browning guns in the wings and two more in a remotely controlled dorsal barbette while sixteen RPs could be carried under the wings. ASV radar would be contained in a retractable 'dustbin' aft of the bomb-bay. I include it here because, even though it flew in 1946, it was built from a 1943 specification with a WWII engine and WWII technology.
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Farman NC.223 Bomber, 1940, France
Span: 33.58m Length: 22.00m Height: 5.08m Wing Area: 132.4 sq. m
Weight Empty: 10550 kg Gross: 19200 kg
# Engines: 4 Engine Mfg: Hispano-Suiza Type: 12Y29 Power: 679 kW
Speed Max: 400 kph Cruise: 280 kph Range: 2400 km Ceiling: 8000
# Built: 13
Development of the Farman F.222 bomber. It was a complete redesign, first flown in 1937, which entered service in 1940. The NC.223 had a new, metal wing. About 13 were built. The NC.223 dropped the first bombs to fall on Berlin. Farman became part of SNCAC.
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Fiat FC.20 Cansa, 1941, Attack, Italy
Span: 16.00m Length: 12.18m Height: 4.03m Wing Area: 40.0 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4770 kg Gross: 6820 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Fiat Type: A74 RC38 Power: 626 kW
Speed Max: 368 kph Range: 1150 km Ceiling: 7350
# Built: 7
Designed in late 1940 by Cansa (a subsidiary company of Fiat). The reconnaissance version had a glass nose, while the attack had a closed and strengthened nose. The results of both models were very disappointing and the production (no more than ten units) was interrupted in 1941. 1st flight Apr 1941.
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Fiat CR.25, 1940, Transport, Italy
Span: 16.00m Length: 16.56m Height: 3.4m Wing Area: 39.2 sq. m
Weight Empty: 4375 kg Gross: 6525 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Fiat Type: A74 RC38 Power: 641 kW
Speed Max: 460 kph Cruise: 378 kph Range: 2100 km Ceiling: 8000m
# Built: 10
The CR25 was one of the Fiat's best multirole aircraft. It was a solid, elegant and well-finished aircraft, and soon displayed its potentials. It carried out several tasks: long range fighter, medium range fast reconnoiterer, light bomber and even fast passenger cargo. Unfortunately the CR25 did not get the right appreciation by the High Command of the Regia Aeronautica, which was leaning towards other models - such as the Caproni 311, and only 10 were built. In almost 400 hours of war missions (patrolling convoys to Libya and reconnoiters on Malta) none of the CR25 had any technical accidents, and stopped all intruding attempts of the English Bristol Blenheim based in Malta.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiat G.56 Fighter, 1944, Italy
Span: 11.85m Length: 9.56m Height: 3.13m Wing Area: 21.1 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2900 kg Gross: 3854 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Daimler-Benz Type: DB 603A Power: 1287 kW
Speed Max: 685 kph Range: 1280 km Ceiling: 12423m
# Built: 2
Development of the G.55 with a Daimler-Benz DB603A engine. Structural changes were limited to those needed to accommodate the larger engine. Ironically, the development of the G.56 was first demanded by the Germans, but production was forbidden by them. 2 built.
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Fieseler Fi.167, 1940, Carrier-Based Torpedo Bomber / Recon, Germany
Span: 13.50m Length: 11.40m Height: 4.80m Wing Area: 45.3 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2800 kg Gross: 4850 kg
# Engines: 1 Engine Mfg: Daimler-Benz Type: DB 601B Power: 820 kW
Speed Max: 325 kph Range: 1300 km Ceiling: 7957m
# Built: 13
Designed as a carrier based torpedo bomber, the Fi 167 proved to be a superb aircraft for the task but unfortunately the task never materialized with the abandonment of the Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier. Surpassing its nearest rival, the Ar 195, in every category, the Fi 167 proved to be an amazing aircraft. One notable demonstration showed the types excellent low speed performance when Fiesler himself sank the Fi 167 from 9,800 ft. to 100 ft. while remaining stationary over one spot while retaining full control. Twelve A-0 series aircraft followed the prototype, but without a carrier were delegated to coastal patrol duties in the Netherlands from 1940-1943 before eventually being sold to Romania.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a departure from WWII. This aircraft is from Argentina, but didn’t fly until 1950. Still, it was essentially made with WWII technology and with WWII methods and engines, so I hesitantly include it. If you find photos, you will think, as I do, that this plane is BEAUTIFUL.
FMA I.Ae.30 Namcu, 1950, Fighter / Attack, Argentia
Span: 15.00m Length: 11.52m Height: 5.16m Wing Area: 35.3 sq. m
Weight Empty: 6208 kg Gross: 7600 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Rolls-Royce Type: Merlin 604 Power: 1342 kW
Speed Max: 460 kph Cruise: 311 kph Range: 1678 km Ceiling: 8000m
# Built: 1
Single-seat escort fighter. The Namcu was a twin-engine monoplane with exceptionally clean lines, reminiscent in many respects of the British de Havilland Hornet. Performance was excellent, but there was no money to finance series production. Too bad, the performance was excellent. One built.
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Fokker XXIII, 1939, Fighter, Holland
Span: 11.50m Length: 10.20m Height: 3.80m Wing Area: 18.5 sq. m
Weight Empty: 2180 kg Gross: 2950 kg
# Engines: 2 Engine Mfg: Walter Sagitta Type: I-SR (air cooled) Power: 403 kW
Speed Max: 525 kph Cruise: 390 kph Range: 840 km Ceiling: 9000m
# Built: 1
Twin-engined, single-seat fighter. The D.XXIII had air-cooled in-line engines in a tandem arrangement, one in the nose and one in the end of the central nacelle. Slender booms carried the tailplane. The prototype was destroyed in 1940.
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There are a couple more in the F names, but that is enough obscure types for now, don’t you think?
More to come as I get bored again!