 | Fleet Air Arm |
| Fleet Air Arm |
Six Fairey IIID aircraft were bought, originally with the intention of using them as spotter aircraft for Australian cruisers, and to assist with survey operations. The aircraft could not be used as planned and in 1924 the sloop HMAS Geranium was altered to accommodate an aircraft to help with survey operations. Later, an RAAF base at Twofold Bay, Eden, was used to house three of the aircraft to work with the Fleet.
Manufacturer: Fairey Aviation Co. Ltd
Type: spotter/reconnaissance seaplane
Delivered: 6 aircraft, 1921
Crew: three
Engine: one 375 hp Rolls Royce Eagle VIII
Speed: 106 mph
Range: 550 miles (at 100 mph)
Armament: 1 x Vickers machine gun forward, 1 x Lewis machine gun aft
Service: embarked in HMAS Geranium
Withdrawn: 1929
Return to Aircraft index.