View source for Fairey Firefly

{{Short description|Carrier-based fighter and anti-submarine aircraft}}
{{About|the 1940s British fighter|the British single-seat biplane fighter of the 1930s|Fairey Firefly II|the 1920s British fighter|Fairey Firefly I}}
{{Expand Italian|topic=transp|Fairey Firefly|date=October 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2016}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = Firefly
 |image = File:Fairey Firefly FR.1 Z2030 Ringway 04.46 edited-2.jpg
 |caption = Operational FAA Fairey Firefly FR.1 wearing late World War II camouflage
 |type= {{plainlist|
* [[Carrier-based aircraft|Carrier-borne fighter]]
* [[Strike fighter]]                           
* [[Aerial reconnaissance]]}}
 |manufacturer = [[Fairey Aviation|Fairey Aviation Company, Ltd.]]
 |first_flight = 22 December 1941<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/>
 |introduction=March 1943<ref name = "bishop 204"/>
 |retired = 1956 (Royal Navy)
 |status = Retired from military service
 |primary_user = [[Royal Navy]]
 |more_users = [[Royal Australian Navy]] <br /> [[Royal Canadian Navy]]<br /> [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]
 |produced = 1941–1955
 |number_built = 1,702<ref name = "bishop 204">Bishop 2002, p. 402.</ref>
 |variants =
}}
The '''Fairey Firefly''' is a [[Second World War]]-era [[aircraft carrier|carrier-borne]] [[fighter aircraft]] and [[anti-submarine warfare|anti-submarine aircraft]] that was principally operated by the [[Fleet Air Arm]] (FAA). It was developed and built by the [[United Kingdom|British]] aircraft manufacturer [[Fairey Aviation Company]].

Development of the Firefly can be traced back to a pair of specifications issued by the British [[Air Ministry]] in 1938, calling for new naval fighter designs. Designed to the contemporary FAA concept of a two-seat fleet reconnaissance/fighter, the pilot and observer were positioned at separate stations. In flight, the Firefly was superior in terms of both performance and firepower to its predecessor, the [[Fairey Fulmar]]. Due to a protracted development, the type only entered operational service towards the end of the conflict, at which point it was no longer competitive as a fighter. The limitations of a single engine in a relatively heavy airframe reduced its performance, but the Firefly proved to be a fairly sturdy, long-ranged, and docile aircraft during carrier operations.

The Fairey Firefly served in the Second World War as a fleet fighter. During the [[post-war]] era, it was soon superseded in the fighter role by the arrival of more modern [[jet propulsion|jet aircraft]], thus the Firefly was adapted to perform in other roles, including strike operations and anti-submarine warfare. In these capacities, it remained a mainstay of the FAA until the mid-1950s. Both British and Australian Fireflies routinely performed ground–attack operations from various aircraft carriers during the [[Korean War]]. In foreign service, the type was in operation with the naval air arms of Australia, Canada, India and the Netherlands. As late as 1962, Dutch Fireflies were used to carry out attack sorties against Indonesian infiltrators in [[Dutch New Guinea]]. Its final uses were in various secondary roles, such as [[trainer aircraft|trainer]]s, [[target tug]]s and [[drone aircraft]].

==Design and development==
[[File:The Firefly - Fleet Air Arm Fighter Aircraft. 8 and 9 February 1943, on the Clyde, on Board HMS Illustrious, the Fairey Firefly the Royal Navy's Latest Aircraft, Is a Two Seater Long Range Fighter, Designed For A14867.jpg|thumb|A Firefly prototype on the flight deck of {{HMS|Illustrious|87|6}} on the [[Firth of Clyde|Clyde]], February 1943.]]

During 1938, by which point British authorities were preparing for the likelihood of a [[World War II|great war]], the [[Air Ministry]] issued a pair of specifications calling for naval fighters, a conventional and a "[[Gun turret#Aircraft|turret fighter]]". The performance requirements for both was to be able to attain a speed of {{cvt|275|kn}} while flying at {{cvt|15000|ft}} and carrying an armament, for the conventional fighter, of eight {{cvt|0.303|in|1}} [[Browning machine gun]]s or four {{cvt|20|mm}} [[Hispano cannon]]. This aircraft would replace the [[Fairey Fulmar]], which had been viewed as an interim design. These specifications were updated during the following year, while several British manufacturers [[Request for tender|tendered]] their ideas.<ref>Buttler 2004, pp. 167–168, 171–173</ref> 

Further changes to the official specification followed, such as the turret fighter specification being eliminated, while a modified specification was issued to cover single and dual-seat fighters capable of {{cvt|330|and|300|kn}} respectively. Fairey offered designs that could accommodate either a single or twin-seat arrangements, either powered by the [[Rolls-Royce Griffon]] engine, or combining a larger airframe with a [[Napier Sabre]] engine. After consideration of the manufacturer's responses, [[List of Air Ministry Specifications#1940–1949|Specification N.5/40]] replaced the earlier specifications. Due to the necessity of navigating over open sea, it was decided to opt for a two-seater aircraft alone.<ref>Buttler 2004, pp. 167–168, 171–173</ref><ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> For defence of naval bases, a separate single seater design would lead to the [[Blackburn Firebrand]].<ref>Buttler, Tony. ''Blackburn Firebrand – Warpaint Number 56''. Denbigh East, Bletchley, UK: Warpaint Books Ltd., 2000. {{page needed|date=June 2019}}.</ref>

The Firefly was designed by a team led by H.E. Chaplin at [[Fairey Aviation]] which reportedly used the Fulmar as a starting point.<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/><ref name = "aus heritage">Dunstan, Kim. [https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-fairey-firefly/ "Heritage – The Fairey Firefly."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805120932/https://www.faaaa.asn.au/heritage-fairey-firefly/ |date=5 August 2021 }} ''Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia'', Accessed: 39 June 2019.</ref> During June 1940, the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] placed an initial order for 200 aircraft "off the drawing board", the first three of which were to function as prototypes. On 22 December 1941, the first prototype of the Firefly performed its [[maiden flight]].<ref name="Thetford Navyp164">Thetford 1978, p. 164.</ref> Although the aircraft was {{cvt|4000|lb}} heavier than the preceding Fulmar (largely due to the adoption of the heavier Griffon engine and the armament of two [[Hispano-Suiza HS.404|{{cvt|20|mm}} Hispano cannon]] in each wing), the Firefly was {{cvt|40|mph}} faster due to improved [[aerodynamics]], as well as the increased power of the Griffon IIB engine, being capable of generating a maximum of {{cvt|1735|hp}}.

The Firefly was a low-wing [[Cantilever#Aircraft|cantilever]] [[monoplane]], featuring an oval-section metal semi-[[monocoque]] fuselage and a conventional tail unit with forward-placed [[tailplane]].<ref name="janes"/><ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> It was powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon liquid-cooled piston engine, which drove a four-blade [[Rotol]]-built [[propeller]].<ref name = "aus heritage"/> A large chin-mounted [[radiator]] was present to provide cooling for the engine.<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> The Firefly had retractable main [[landing gear|undercarriage]] and tail wheel, the [[hydraulic]]ally-actuated main landing gear retracting inwards into the underside of the wing centre-section. This undercarriage was widely-set, a highly useful feature for carrier landings.<ref name = "aus heritage"/> The aircraft was also fitted with a retractable [[arrester hook]] mounted underneath the rear fuselage. The pilot's cockpit was located above the [[leading edge]] of the wing while the observer/radio-operator/navigator was positioned aft of the wing's [[trailing edge]]. These positions provided better visibility for operating and landing and both crew were provided with separate [[jettison (aviation)|jettison]]able [[canopy (aircraft)|canopies]].<ref name="janes"/><ref name = "fredriksen 108"/><ref name = "aus heritage"/>

The Firefly was equipped with an all-metal wing which could be [[Folding wing|folded]] manually, the wings ending up along the sides of the fuselage when folded. When in the flying position, the wings were hydraulically locked in place.<ref name="janes">Bridgman 1988, pp. 118–119.</ref><ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> The wing itself featured square tips and large [[Flap (aeronautics)#Fairey-Youngman flap|Fairey-Youngman flaps]], which provided relatively good handling while flown at low speeds.<ref>[https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/eb031874 "A Servicing Innovation: Details of a Recent Modification to the Fairey Firefly."] ''Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology'', 1950. Vol. 22 Issue: 3, pp. 84–84.</ref> Four 20 mm [[cannon]] were buried within the wings, which was considered to be relatively heavy armament for the era.<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> According to pilots, the general handling of the Firefly was relatively well-balanced but strength was required for [[aerobatics]].<ref name = "aus heritage"/>

During 1942, handling and performance trials were first undertaken at [[RAF Boscombe Down]] by Admiralty test pilots [[Mike Lithgow]] and [[Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner]]. By 1944, the Firefly had been cleared to use under-wing [[rocket]] projectiles and, by April 1944, tests involving a double under-wing load of 16 rockets and a pair of {{cvt|45|gal}} [[drop tank]]s still provided acceptable handling.<ref name="Mason p. 277">Mason 1998, p. 277.</ref> Further testing with two 90 gallon (410 L) drop tanks or two {{cvt|1000|lb}} [[bomb]]s deemed acceptable albeit with "...a small adverse effect on handling..." while "...handling with a single {{cvt|1000|lb}} bomb was unpleasant, but manageable."<ref name="Mason p. 277"/> Performance trials at {{cvt|11830|lb}} indicated a maximum speed of {{cvt|315|mph}} at {{cvt|16800|ft}} while a climb to {{cvt|20000|ft}} took 12.4 minutes, with a maximum climb rate of {{cvt|2140|ft/min}} at {{cvt|3800|ft}}, and a service ceiling of {{cvt|30100|ft}}.<ref>Mason 1998, p. 306.</ref>

==Operational history==
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A27170.jpg|thumb|left|Firefly Mk I of the 1770 NAS aboard HMS ''Indefatigable'' departing for [[Sumatra]] during [[Operation Lentil (Sumatra)|Operation Lentil]], January 1945.]]

The primary variant of the aircraft used during the Second World War was the Firefly Mk I, which was used in all theatres of operations. During March 1943, the first Firefly Mk Is were delivered to the FAA but these did not enter operational service until July 1944, at which point they equipped [[1770 Naval Air Squadron]] aboard {{HMS|Indefatigable|R10|6}}.<ref name = "bishop 204"/> The first operations were flown in the European theatre where Fireflies carried out numerous armed [[reconnaissance]] flights and [[anti-ship warfare|anti-shipping]] strikes along the Norwegian coast. That year, Fireflies also provided air cover and aerial reconnaissance during attacks on the German [[battleship]] {{Ship|German battleship|Tirpitz||2}}.<ref name = "Canada ingeium">[https://ingeniumcanada.org/aviation/collection-research/artifact-fairey-firefly-fr-1.php "Fairey Firefly FR.1."] ''Ingenium'', Accessed: 29 June 2019.</ref><ref name = "bishop 204"/>

Throughout its operational career, the Firefly took on increasingly demanding roles from fighter to [[anti-submarine warfare]] while being stationed mainly with the [[British Pacific Fleet]] in the [[Far East]] and [[Pacific War|Pacific]] theatres. The type was used against Japanese ground targets and fighter aircraft.<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> FAA Fireflies carried out attacks on [[refinery|oil refineries]] and [[airfield]]s and were repeatedly dispatched against Japanese-controlled islands up until [[Victory over Japan Day]].<ref name = "bishop 204"/> The Firefly gained a level of public renown when the type became the first British-designed and -built aircraft to overfly the Japanese capital of [[Tokyo]].<ref name="Thetford Navalp168">Thetford 1978, p. 168.</ref><ref name = "fredriksen 108">Fredriksen 2001, p. 108.</ref>

During May 1945, in anticipation of a major naval offensive against the Japanese mainland, the Canadian government accepted a British offer to loan a pair of [[1942 Design Light Fleet Carrier|''Colossus''-class aircraft carriers]] to the [[Royal Canadian Navy]].<ref name = "pig 114">Pigott 2005, p. 114.</ref> To equip these carriers, it was necessary to procure naval fighters. Based upon the feedback of veteran pilots, Canada opted to acquire the Firefly over opposition that favoured procuring American aircraft instead. As a stop-gap measure, Royal Navy Fireflies were loaned while more advanced purpose-built aircraft were being constructed.<ref name = "pig 1145">Pigott 2005, pp. 114–115.</ref> Between 1946 and 1954, the Canadian Navy employed 65  AS Mk.5 Fireflies on its aircraft carriers. The service also flew a handful of Mk.I Fireflies. During the 1950s, Canada decided to sell off its Fireflies and buyers included the armed forces of Ethiopia, Denmark, and the Netherlands.<ref name = "Canada ingeium"/><ref name = "pig 115">Pigott 2005, p. 115.</ref>

After the Second World War, the Firefly remained in front line service with the Fleet Air Arm, continuing in this capacity until the mid-1950s. During this time, British-built Fireflies were also supplied to a number of overseas nations, including Canada, Australia, Denmark, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, India and Thailand.

[[File:Firefly FR.4 817 Sqn RAN off Korea c1951.jpg|thumb|left|Firefly FR.4 of [[817 Squadron RAN]] flies near {{HMAS|Sydney|R17|6}} during Korean War.]]
During 1947, the Australian government approved of formation of the [[Fleet Air Arm (RAN)|Royal Australian Fleet Air Arm]] and the acquisition of a pair of {{sclass|Majestic|aircraft carrier|1}}s from Britain. Following a consultation with the Royal Navy, the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) opted to procure both the Firefly and the [[Hawker Sea Fury]] to equip its new aircraft carriers.<ref name = "aus heritage"/><ref name = "aust navy"/> These two types formed the backbone of the newly formed Australian [[Carrier air wing|Carrier Air Groups]] (CAGs), which would operate a total fleet size of 108 Fireflies, acquired across multiple orders. The first aircraft was delivered in May 1949, and the final Firefly arrived during August 1953. aircrew training predominated in early RAN operations ahead of achieving operational status during 1950.<ref name = "aus heritage"/>

During the [[Korean War]] of the 1950s, both British and Australian Fireflies carried out anti-shipping patrols and ground strikes from various aircraft carriers positioned offshore.<ref>Smith 2008, p. 359.</ref><ref name = "aust navy"/> Additional missions roles including anti-submarine patrols and aerial observation, as well as assisting battleships in providing effective [[naval gunfire support]]. Numerous FAA Fireflies were loaned to the Australian Navy during the conflict as many of its aircraft did not feature cannons when configured for anti-submarine warfare.<ref name = "aus heritage"/> Despite several incidents of aircraft being struck by [[anti-aircraft fire]], the Firefly proved to be relatively rugged. The type was routinely used for strike operations against targets such as [[bridge]]s and railway lines to damage [[North Korea]]n logistics and communications. As the war went on, pilots developed new low-level dive-bombing techniques to achieve greater accuracy.<ref name = "aus heritage"/> Combat use of the Firefly in the theatre continued until the signing of the [[Korean Armistice Agreement]] on 27 July 1953, although post-armistice patrols involving the type continued for several years afterwards.<ref name = "aust navy">[http://www.navy.gov.au/aircraft/fairey-firefly-as5as6 "Fairey Firefly AS.5/AS.6."] ''navy.gov.au'', Accessed: 29 June 2019.</ref>

[[File:De Fairey Firefly FR.Mk 4 van de Marine Luchtvaartdienst (MLD). 2158 012906.jpg|thumb|Firefly FR.Mk 4 of the Netherlands Navy operating in [[Dutch New Guinea]].]]
FAA Fireflies were again deployed in the Far East amid the [[Malayan Emergency]], where it was used to conduct ground-attack operations against [[Malayan Communist Party]] insurgents.<ref name = "bishop 204"/> The Firefly's front line career with the FAA came to an end shortly following the introduction of the newer and larger [[Fairey Gannet]], which effectively replaced the type.<ref name = "fredriksen 108"/> The RAN also decided to relegate their Fireflies to secondary duties following the adoption of newer aircraft, such as the Gannet and the jet-powered [[de Havilland Sea Venom]].<ref name = "aus heritage"/> Several versions of the type were developed later in its career to serve in a number of secondary roles, including as [[trainer aircraft|trainers]], [[target tug]]s and [[drone aircraft]]. As an example, the [[Indian Navy]] acquired a batch of 10 aircraft during the mid-1950s for target tug purposes.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fairey Firefly TT.1 & TT.4 |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102 |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=www.bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref> By the end of the 1950s, many operators were disposing of their remaining Fireflies, typically as [[scrap]].<ref name = "aus heritage"/>

In the late 1940s, the Royal Netherlands Navy deployed a Firefly squadron to the Dutch East Indies, as part of the forces countering Indonesian nationalists. When talks broke down in July 1947, the Dutch launched multiple air strikes. Three Fireflies were shot down by ground fire.<ref>Oliver, D. British Combat Aircraft in action since 1945 1987 pp. 17-18 {{ISBN|071101678X}}</ref> During 1960, in response to territorial demands and threats issued by Indonesia, the Netherlands chose to deploy a number of Firefly AS.Mk 4s to [[Dutch New Guinea]]. As Indonesian forces began to retake the territory, the Fireflies carried out attack operations during early 1962. These strikes continued until the Royal Netherlands Navy withdrew following the negotiation of a political settlement between the two countries.<ref>Bishop and Moeng 1997, p. 73.</ref>

==Variants==
; Firefly I / FR.I
: Two variants of the Mk I Firefly were built; 429 "fighter" "Firefly F Mk I"s, built by Fairey and [[General Aircraft Ltd]], and 376 "fighter/reconnaissance" Firefly "FR Mk I"s (which were fitted with the ASH detection [[radar]]). The last 334 Mk Is built were upgraded with the {{cvt|1765|hp}} Griffon XII engine.
[[File:Fairey Firefly T.3 PP659 JA 1841 Sqn HTN 20.09.52 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Firefly T.3 observer trainer of 1841 Squadron in 1952]]
[[File:Fairey Firefly T.7 WM800 Ringway 17.04.53 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Firefly T.7 trainer with wings folded in 1953]]
[[File:Fairey Firefly ExCC.jpg|thumb|Firefly Mk IV]]
[[File:Firefly AS7.jpg|thumb|Firefly AS.Mk7 ''WJ154'']]
[[File:Fairey Firefly U8 WM890 Ringway 30.03.55 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Firefly U.8 [[target drone]] aircraft in 1955]]
[[File:Fairey Firefly U9 WB410 Ringway 21.06.59 edited-2.jpg|thumb|Firefly U.9 drone aircraft in 1959]]
; Firefly NF.Mk II
: Only 37 Mk II Fireflies were built, all of which were [[night fighter]] Firefly NF Mk IIs. They had a slightly longer fuselage than the Mk I and had modifications to house their airborne interception (AI) radar.
; Firefly NF.Mk I
: The NF.II was superseded by the Firefly NF Mk I "night fighter" variant.
; Firefly T.Mk 1
: Twin-cockpit pilot [[Trainer (aircraft)|training]] aircraft. Post-war conversion of the Firefly Mk I.
; Firefly T.Mk 2
: Twin-cockpit armed operational training aircraft. Post-war conversion of the Firefly Mk I.
; Firefly T.Mk 3
: Used for Anti-submarine warfare training of observers. Postwar conversion of the Firefly Mk I.
; Firefly TT.Mk I
: Postwar, a small number of Firefly Mk Is were converted into target tug aircraft.
; Firefly Mk III
: Proposal based on the Griffon 61 engine, but never entered production.
; Firefly Mk IV
: The Firefly Mk IV was equipped with the {{cvt|2330|hp}} Griffon 72 engine and first flew in 1944, but did not enter service until after the end of the war.
; Firefly FR.Mk 4
: Fighter-reconnaissance version based on the Firefly Mk IV.
; Firefly Mk 5
:
; Firefly NF.Mk 5
: Night fighter version based on the Firefly Mk 5.
; Firefly FR.Mk 5
: Fighter-reconnaissance version based on the Firefly Mk 5.
; Firefly AS.Mk 5
: The later Firefly AS.Mk 5 was an anti-submarine aircraft, which carried American sonobuoys and equipment.
; Firefly Mk 6
:
; Firefly AS.Mk 6
: The Firefly AS.Mk 6 was an anti-submarine aircraft, which carried British equipment.
; Firefly TT.Mk 4/5/6
: Small numbers of AS.4/5/6s were converted into [[target tug]] aircraft.
; Firefly AS.Mk 7
: The Firefly AS.Mk 7 was an anti-submarine aircraft, powered by a Rolls-Royce Griffon 59 piston engine.
; Firefly T.Mk 7
: The Firefly T.Mk 7 was an interim ASW training aircraft.
; Firefly U.Mk 8
: The Firefly U.Mk 8 was a [[target drone]] aircraft; 34 Firefly T.7s were diverted on the production line for completion as target drones.
; Firefly U.Mk 9
: The Firefly U.Mk 9 was a target drone aircraft; 40 existing Firefly Mk AS.4 and AS.5 aircraft were converted to this role.
;B.J.4
:({{langx|th|บ.จ.๔}}) Thai designation for the Firefly FR.I and T.2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators==
{{See|List of Fairey Firefly operators}}
* {{AUS}}
* {{flag|Canada|1921}}
* {{DNK}}
* {{ETH}}
* {{NLD}}
* {{IND}}
* {{SWE}}
* {{THA}}
* {{UK}}

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Fairey Firefly.jpg|thumb|Firefly AS Mk.6 ''WB518'']]
===Airworthy===
* Firefly AS Mk 6 ''WH632''

:This aircraft was damaged in a crash and restored to flying condition (painted as an RCN Firefly AS 5).  ''HH6322'' is based at the [[Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum]].<ref>[https://www.warplane.com/aircraft/collection/details.aspx?aircraftId=18 "Details for the Fairey Firefly Mk.IV."] ''warplane.com'', Accessed: 5 October 2021.</ref>

* Firefly AS Mk 6 ''WB518''

:''WB518'' was one of the first 10 Mk.6s built, but retained the earlier Mk.5 fuselage. It was originally delivered to the Royal Australian Navy's 817 Squadron and then served in 816 Squadron before being retired and ending up as a memorial on a pole in [[Griffith, New South Wales|Griffith]], [[New South Wales]], Australia. ''WB518'' was then purchased by American Eddie Kurdziel, a Northwest Airlines captain and former U.S. Navy pilot. ''WB518'' was extensively restored and made its first public appearance at Oshkosh in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}}

===On display===
[[File:AUS NSW Griffith 2008 04 12 IMG 7516.jpg|thumb|Firefly TT.6 on display in [[Griffith, New South Wales|Griffith]], Australia]]
* Firefly Mk.1 ''Z2033''

:The [[Imperial War Museum]] owns one of the oldest surviving Fireflies, serial number Z2033. Built as a Mk.I in 1944, Z2033 was used originally used by the RNAS for aircraft landing trials, then by Fairey for spin trials. Z2033 was converted to target tug designation and operated in Sweden in the 1950s in this role. The aircraft returned to the UK in 1964 to go on display at the Skyframe Aircraft Museum, and was acquired by Imperial War Museum in 1979. The museum returned Z2033 to its original MkI configuration, and repainted the aircraft as 'DK431' of 1771 Naval Air Squadron, as operated in the Pacific in July 1945. Z2033 was loaned to the [[Fleet Air Arm Museum]] for display between 2000 and August 2023, but the aircraft is now on display again at [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000162 | title=Fairey Firefly Mk I |website=www.iwm.org.uk}}</ref>

* Firefly AS Mk.6 ''WD826'' 
:Displayed at the Royal Australian Navy's [[Fleet Air Arm Museum (Australia)]]. This Firefly was restored to airworthy condition in the 1980s and flew for three years before its return to the museum.<ref name="Fireflies: Where Are They Now">{{Cite web | url=https://www.faaaa.asn.au/fireflies-where-are-they-now/ | title=Fireflies: Where Are They Now? | access-date=12 September 2019 | archive-date=29 June 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629182505/https://www.faaaa.asn.au/fireflies-where-are-they-now/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

* Firefly AS Mk.6 ''WD827'' 

:Once owned by the Australian Air League, Blacktown, New South Wales, ''WD 827'' is now on display in the [[Australian National Aviation Museum]], [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]].<ref name="Fireflies: Where Are They Now"/>
[[File:Fairey Firefly FR1, Thailand - Air Force AN1665957.jpg|thumb|Fairey Firefly FR1 of Royal Thai Air Force]]
* Firefly AS Mk.6 ''WD828'' 

:Displayed on a pole outside the Returned Services Leagues Club in Griffith, Australia. It has been repainted as ''WB518'' which was the original aircraft displayed in Griffith but is now the flying example restored by Captain Kurdziel. The swap was made in 1991.<ref name="Fireflies: Where Are They Now"/>

* Firefly FR.1 ''J4/11/94''

:The [[Royal Thai Air Force Museum]] in Bangkok, Thailand has a Firefly Mk I on display.<ref>[http://www.rtaf.mi.th/museum/BLDG1-2.HTM "Building 1: Aircraft flown by RTAF after WW2."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026164810/http://www.rtaf.mi.th/MUSEUM/BLDG1-2.HTM |date=26 October 2013 }} ''Royal Thai Air Force Museum.'' Accessed: 10 April 2012.</ref>

* Firefly TT.1 ''IN112''

:The sole remaining Firefly of the 10 acquired by India is displayed at the [[Naval Aviation Museum (India)|Naval Aviation Museum]] in [[Goa]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pillarisetti |first1=Jagan |date=10 October 2006 |title=Fairey Firefly [INS112] |url=http://www.warbirdsofindia.com/goa/nam/37-fairey-firefly-ins112.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409080339/http://www.warbirdsofindia.com/goa/nam/37-fairey-firefly-ins112.html |archivedate=9 April 2019 |access-date=20 October 2020 |website=Warbirds of India}}</ref>

===Stored or under restoration===

* Firefly AS MK.6 ''WJ109'' 

:Stored for eventual exhibition at the [[Australian War Memorial]], Canberra. This aircraft was previously at the [[Fleet Air Arm Museum (Australia)]], Nowra, New South Wales.<ref name="Fireflies: Where Are They Now"/>

As well as the Canadian Warplane Heritage's ex-Australian Firefly, two other Fireflies are known to exist in Canada: one is at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa and another is being restored at the [[Shearwater Aviation Museum]] at Eastern Passage (near Dartmouth), Nova Scotia. Both are Mk I models that served in the Canadian Navy from 1946 to 1954, after which they were sold to the Ethiopian Air Force. Following their discovery in the Ethiopian desert in 1993, they were repatriated to Canada in exchange for medical supplies.<ref name = "Canada ingeium"/>

==Specifications (Mk.4 / Mk.5 / Mk.6)==
[[File:Fairey Firefly Mk I 3-view line drawing.gif|thumb|3-view drawing of Fairey Firefly Mk.I]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=''Fairey Aircraft since 1915 and Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1949–50.''<ref name=Taylor>{{cite book |last=Taylor |first=H.A. |title=Fairey Aircraft since 1915 |year=1974 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |isbn=0-370-00065X }}</ref><ref name=JAWA49-50>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1949–50 |editor1-last=Bridgman |editor1-first=Leonard |year=1949 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & Co |location=London }}</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--General characteristics-->
|crew=2
|length ft=37
|length in=11
|span ft=41
|span in=2
|height ft=14
|height in=4
|height note=including prop disc
|width ft=13
|width in=6
|width note=wings folded
|wing area sqft=330
|airfoil=
|empty weight lb=9674
|gross weight lb=12727
|gross weight note=stripped for fighter mission
::::{{cvt|13479|lb|0}} normal
|max takeoff weight lb=15615
|max takeoff weight note=with two drop-tanks
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Rolls-Royce Griffon 74]]
|eng1 type=V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
|eng1 hp=2300
|eng1 note=for take-off

|prop blade number=4
|prop name=[[Rotol]] constant-speed propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=367–386
|max speed note=at {{cvt|14000|ft}}
::::{{cvt|330|mph|kn km/h|0}} at sea level
|cruise speed mph=209
|range miles=760
|range note=on internal fuel at {{cvt|209|mph|kn km/h|0}}
|ferry range miles=1,335
|ferry range note=with 2 {{cvt|90|impgal|USgal l}} drop-tanks at {{cvt|209|mph|kn km/h|0}}
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling ft=31,900
|time to altitude=<br />
:*{{cvt|5000|ft}} in 3 minutes 36 seconds
:*{{cvt|10000|ft}} in 7 minutes 9 seconds
:*{{cvt|20000|ft}} in 10 minutes 30 seconds
|wing loading lb/sqft=43
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.164|hp/lb}}
|more performance=<!--
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--Armament-->
|guns= 4 × {{cvt|20|mm|3}} [[Hispano Mk.V cannon]]
|bombs= maximum 2 × {{cvt|1000|lb|0}} on underwing pylons
|rockets=maximum 16 × [[RP-3]] {{cvt|60|lb|1}} rockets on 8 × zero-length launchers
|avionics=
:*Radar
:*Radio
:*Night-flying instrumentation / equipment
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Fairey Fulmar]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Fairey Battle]]
* [[Fairey Gannet]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
* [[List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm]]
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Bridgman |first=Leonard |title=Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II |publisher=Crescent Books |location=New York |year=1988 |isbn=0-517-67964-7}}
* {{cite book |last1=Brown |first1=Eric |last2=Green |first2=William |last3=Swanborough |first3=Gordon |title=Wings of the Navy, Flying Allied Carrier Aircraft of World War Two |chapter=Fairey Firefly |publisher=Jane's Publishing Company |location=London |year=1980 |pages=145–157 |isbn=0-7106-0002-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Bishop |first=Chris |title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II |publisher=Sterling Publishing Company |year=2002 |isbn=1-586-63762-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Bishop |first1=Chris |last2=Moeng |first2=Soph |editor= |title=The Aerospace Encyclopedia of Air Warfare, Vol. 2: 1945 to the Present (World Air Power Journal) |publisher=AIRtime Publishing |location=London |year=1997 |isbn=1-874023-88-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Bussy |first=Geoffrey |title=Fairey Firefly: F.Mk.1 to U.Mk.9 |series=Warpaint Series 28 |publisher=Hall Park Books Ltd. |location=Milton Keynes, UK |year=2001 |oclc=65202534}}
* {{cite book |last=Buttler |first=Tony |title=Blackburn Firebrand – Warpaint Number 56 |publisher=Warpaint Books Ltd. |location=Denbigh East, Bletchley, UK |year=2000}}
* {{cite book |last=Buttler |first=Tony |title=British Secret Projects: Fighters & Bombers 1935–1950 |publisher=Midland Publishing |location=Hinckley, UK |year=2004 |isbn=1-85780-179-2}}
* {{cite journal |last=Forsgren |first=Jan |title=New Tricks for an Old Seadog |journal=The Aviation Historian |issue=2 |date=January 2013 |pages=122–129 |issn=2051-1930}}
* {{cite book |last=Fredriksen |first=John C. |title=International Warbirds: An Illustrated Guide to World Military Aircraft, 1914–2000 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2001 |isbn=1-57607-364-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Harrison |first=William A. |title=Fairey Firefly – The Operational Record |publisher=Airlife |location=Shrewsbury, UK |year=1992 |isbn=1-85310-196-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Harrison |first=William A. |title=Fairey Firefly in Action |series=Aircraft number 200 |publisher=Squadron/Signal Publications Inc. |location=Carrollton, Texas |year=2006 |isbn=0-89747-501-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Mason |first=Tim |title=The Secret Years: Flight Testing at Boscombe Down 1939–1945 |publisher=Hikoki |location=Manchester, UK |year=1998 |isbn=0-9519899-9-5}}
* {{cite book |last=Pigott |first=Peter |title=On Canadian Wings: A Century of Flight |publisher=Dundurn |year=2005 |isbn=1-550-02549-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=Peter C. |title=Dive Bomber!: Aircraft, Technology, and Tactics in World War II |publisher=Stackpole Books |year=2008 |isbn=0-811-74842-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Thetford |first=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |publisher=Putnam |location=London |edition=Fourth |year=1978 |isbn=0-370-30021-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Thomas |first=Graham |title=Furies and Fireflies over Korea: The Story of the Men and Machines of the Fleet Air Arm, RAF and Commonwealth Who Defended South Korea 1950–1953 |publisher=Grub Street |location=London |year=2004 |isbn=1-904010-04-0}}
* {{cite magazine |last=White |first=Ian |title=Nocturnal and Nautical: Fairey Firefly Night-fighters |magazine=Air Enthusiast |issue=107 |date=September–October 2003 |pages=60–65 |issn=0143-5450}}
* {{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Stewart |title=Sea Fury, Firefly and Sea Venom in Australian Service |publisher=Aerospace Publications |location=Weston Creek, ACT, Australia |year=1993 |isbn=1-875671-05-6}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sijqKmbqmvs Video of Fairey Firefly Mk 5 taxiing at an airshow]
* [http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/firefly.htm Shearwater Aviation Museum Firefly restoration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070502113424/http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/firefly.htm |date=2 May 2007 }}
* [http://www.warbirdregistry.org/fireflyregistry/fireflyregistry.html Warbird Registry – Fairey Firefly]
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=h98DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA11 "Royal Navy's Firefly Is a Deadly Fighter-Scout."] ''Popular Mechanics'', February 1945, p.&nbsp;11.

{{Fairey aircraft}}
{{Thai attack aircraft designations}}
{{British military aircraft since World War II}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1940s British fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Fairey aircraft|Firefly]]
[[Category:1940s British anti-submarine aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1941]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]