Fairey Firefly Mk III

The Fairey Firefly is a Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft that was principally operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA).  It was developed and built by the British aircraft manufacturer Fairey Aviation Company.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 3 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Development of the Firefly can be traced back to 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.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 6 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

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  During the post-war era, it was soon superseded in the fighter role by the arrival of more modern jet aircraft, thus the Firefly was adapted to perform in other roles, including strike operations and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 trainers, target tugs and drone aircraft.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 11 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Fairey Firefly Mk III was developed specifically as a land based ground-attack aircraft.  Powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon 61 it was devoid of arrester hook and wing fold mechanisms but carried extra armour to protect against ground fire.  Rejected by the RAF, Mk IIIs were sent to the Soviet Union as Lend-Lease where they were equipped with four 20mm ShVAK in place of the usual Hispano Cannons before being thrown against the Wehrmacht.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 7 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Fireflies arrived as the Red Army Air Force were bringing the Il-2 Ilyusha into service - they suffered in comparison.  The Soviet shturmovik proving to be tougher, more effective, easier to maintain and repair, and better liked by its crews.  The Soviet crews particularly disliked the Firefly's lack of a rear defensive gun leading to some units contriving to squeeze a 12.7mm Berezin UBT into the rear cockpit.  While this provided some small measure of protection the arc of fire was limited and it was not considered a successful modification.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 12 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Generally the Firefly Mk III, while not being a failure wasn't a success either.  They were eclipsed by the Ilyusha and faded into mediocrity.  By 1945 the few surviving aircraft had been passed on to the People's Democratic Republic of Victoria who used them for anti piracy patrols.
The aircraft pictured is the last surviving Firefly Mk III in flying condition.  It was discovered at the back of a hanger on a remote desert airfield near Rainbow in the Western PDRV.  The Peoples' Aircraft Museum at Dadswell Bridge carried out a full restoration before refinishing it as it appeared during the Great Patriotic War when it was bombing and strafing nazis.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 13 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

The Model

Airfix Fairey Firefly Mk IV.
Prop from Airfix Mosquito (old mould – not sure which one).
Exhausts from parts box.  Spitfire?
Racks and bombs from Eduard MiG 15.

Fairey Firefly Mk III - 14 by Fred Maillardet, on Flickr

Marvelous Fred 

Certainly a different Firefly! 

That's come out well Fred, certainly suits the scheme 

Great idea and excellent execution!

Not usually a fan of the Firefly but this one looks really good!

Brilliant 

I have a Fulmar in the stash with a possible Red backstory along the lines of yours (not including the PDRV, though).

Sweet build mate ...that paint looks really good 👍 👌

Thanks folks.

So now i've built an RAF Fulmar in desert camo, Canadian Coastal Command Battle, and this Red Army Firefly I just need an idea for the Barracuda in my stash...


...I'll let it stew for a while.

Quote from: zenrat on March 22, 2025, 01:40:28 AMThanks folks.

So now i've built an RAF Fulmar in desert camo, Canadian Coastal Command Battle, and this Red Army Firefly I just need an idea for the Barracuda in my stash...


...I'll let it stew for a while.

USN overall gloss sea blue ? 

Quote from: NARSES2 on March 22, 2025, 06:58:52 AM

Quote from: zenrat on March 22, 2025, 01:40:28 AMThanks folks.

So now i've built an RAF Fulmar in desert camo, Canadian Coastal Command Battle, and this Red Army Firefly I just need an idea for the Barracuda in my stash...


...I'll let it stew for a while.

USN overall gloss sea blue ? 

Royal Australian Navy Hydrographer's Department  coastal survey.   Disarmed, with long range tanks and cameras.

  

Barracuda on floats used by ANARE
Australian National Antarctic Research
Expeditions. Started in 1947 and they've used a variety of aircraft over the decades.
ANARE Aircraft

Kingfisher being unloaded in 1947.
You cannot view this attachment.

A Barra on floats, hmmmmm......

It looks bizarre enough already, but with a pair of floats, goodness gracious! 

Quote from: kerick on March 21, 2025, 07:22:31 PMNot usually a fan of the Firefly but this one looks really good!

😱

The Mks 4, 5 and 6 were good lookers.  The early ones a bit bland, the later ones were pretty ugly.

Anyway....nice build, zenrat mon brave, not what I thought it was when I first glanced at the first picture.  I think I was mugged by the propeller into thinking it was a clipped wing FROG/NOVO Firefly I with an engine from a LLaG or a MiG.

No matter, it's a head turner 👍