 | Fleet Air Arm |
| Fleet Air Arm |
The Firefly was a carrier-borne, two-seater (pilot and observer) anti-submarine aircraft. It was also used in the ground attack role and for target towing. The RAN bought 108 Fireflies and operated them from HMAS Sydney and HMAS Vengeance. Fireflies from the Sydney saw active service in Korea, with their targets centred on land communications. Three aircraft were lost in combat.
Fairey Firefly AS-5 specifications:
Type: carrier-borne fighter, anti-submarine and reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer: Fairey Aviation (UK)
Delivered: 108 aircraft, 1949-53
Engine: one 2,250hp Rolls Royce Griffon 74, 12 cylinder piston engine
Armament: 4 x 20mm Hispano cannon, 2 x 1000lb bombs, 8 x 60lb rockets
Range: 582 miles (standard fuel), 1,070 miles with two 90 gallon drop tanks
Withdrawn: 1968
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