bronzewhaler82
Senior Airman
- 661
- Feb 19, 2004
I think the best British Naval fighter used during the war was the Fairey Firefly
http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/firefly_wb271_preserved_flying_RNHF.jpg
First flew on December 22nd 1941 (soon after Pearl Harbour was bombed) and was a two-seater naval fighter - it was built under the understanding that (in the Royal Navys opinion at the time) all Navy fighters should have a navigator onboard to navigate for the pilot while at sea (several incidents of pilots becoming disorientated and lost while flying bombing missions and long-range partols in bad weather in combat conditions led to this decision) so the Firefly was no different.
The Firefly became fully operational in October 1943 on board the carrier HMS Indefatigable (the aircraft carrier my grandfather served on was the HMS Implacable - the Indefatigables sister ship) and escorted bombers during their attacks (most notably against the Tirpitz in 1944)
The fireflys were often used to 'scout ahead' to claer enemy fighters from the area before the bombers came through
It was used as a nightfighter in 1943 and often intercepted V1s and Heinkel He111s during raids
whilst stationed in the Pacific in 1945 Fireflys took part in the destruction of an Oil refinery in Sumutra - they had a tremendous operation record whilst fighting in the Pacific proving to be a versatile opponent for the Japanese - operating both day and night as a recon plane or fighter bomber
In June 1945 Fireflies of 1771 Squadron, operating from HMS Implacable, took part in attacks in the Carolinas, while in July 1772 squadron aircraft, from HMS Indefatigable, were flying strikes against shipping and ground targets in the Japanese home islands, becoming the first FAA aircraft to fly over the Japanese mainland. On 24 July, 1945 aircraft from 1772 Squadron became the first British aircraft to fly over Tokyo
They were also used to drop supplies to prisoners of war during these historic trips over Tokyo
It performed well in dogfights despite the Firefly's size and was armed with four 20mm cannons as well as rockets and mines (for the bomber role)
These are its stats:
Speed: 316mph
Ceiling: 28,000ft
Range: 1300miles
Wingspan: 44ft
Length: 37ft 7in
Weight: 14,020lb
It was so successful as a Naval fighter that it continued to be used on Royal Navy carriers during the Korean war
I think this plane was the best naval plane designed by Britain solely for use on carriers (i.e the American planes such as Hellcats and Corsairs don't count!
)
http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/firefly_wb271_preserved_flying_RNHF.jpg
First flew on December 22nd 1941 (soon after Pearl Harbour was bombed) and was a two-seater naval fighter - it was built under the understanding that (in the Royal Navys opinion at the time) all Navy fighters should have a navigator onboard to navigate for the pilot while at sea (several incidents of pilots becoming disorientated and lost while flying bombing missions and long-range partols in bad weather in combat conditions led to this decision) so the Firefly was no different.
The Firefly became fully operational in October 1943 on board the carrier HMS Indefatigable (the aircraft carrier my grandfather served on was the HMS Implacable - the Indefatigables sister ship) and escorted bombers during their attacks (most notably against the Tirpitz in 1944)
The fireflys were often used to 'scout ahead' to claer enemy fighters from the area before the bombers came through
It was used as a nightfighter in 1943 and often intercepted V1s and Heinkel He111s during raids
whilst stationed in the Pacific in 1945 Fireflys took part in the destruction of an Oil refinery in Sumutra - they had a tremendous operation record whilst fighting in the Pacific proving to be a versatile opponent for the Japanese - operating both day and night as a recon plane or fighter bomber
In June 1945 Fireflies of 1771 Squadron, operating from HMS Implacable, took part in attacks in the Carolinas, while in July 1772 squadron aircraft, from HMS Indefatigable, were flying strikes against shipping and ground targets in the Japanese home islands, becoming the first FAA aircraft to fly over the Japanese mainland. On 24 July, 1945 aircraft from 1772 Squadron became the first British aircraft to fly over Tokyo
They were also used to drop supplies to prisoners of war during these historic trips over Tokyo
It performed well in dogfights despite the Firefly's size and was armed with four 20mm cannons as well as rockets and mines (for the bomber role)
These are its stats:
Speed: 316mph
Ceiling: 28,000ft
Range: 1300miles
Wingspan: 44ft
Length: 37ft 7in
Weight: 14,020lb
It was so successful as a Naval fighter that it continued to be used on Royal Navy carriers during the Korean war
I think this plane was the best naval plane designed by Britain solely for use on carriers (i.e the American planes such as Hellcats and Corsairs don't count!
)
)
to say it wasn't one of the best aircraft the Brits had during WW2 but the Firefly was a better aircraft (in my opinion) 
, whereas the Firefly could fly at 316mph 
) - not a torpedo bomber - the Swordfish was arguably the best torpedo bomber in the FAA - i think peoples problem when comparing these aircraft often seems that they look at the romantic images of the planes but ignores the bare facts - the firefly was a better aircraft in general and based on the bare facts i don't think anyone could argue that point - but knowing you lot as i do i'm certain someone will try - bring it on 8)
anyway, lets not go there, were already having this argument somewhere else 8)
it also had excellent handling at low speeds, and a better all-round view than any other tail-wheel fighter in the air at that time - in the hands of a skilled pilot the Firefly was more than a match in a dogfight with an Me109 and several reports of 109s being downed by Fireflys were made - however i also read that the Fireflys in the Pacific had alot of trouble with Japanese fighters 
- i also discovered that the Firefly was capable of carrying 2000lb of bombs and eight 60pound rockets (not bad for a fighter 8) ) by 1945 many models had been converted into night-fighters with radar fitted and these types had some success in the field
)
