FAIREY BARRACUDA

FAIREY BARRACUDA - The Fairey Barracuda torpedo/dive-bomber was evolved to meet Specification S. 24/37 under the direction of Marcel Lobelle during 1938, initially to be powered by a 1,150 hp Exe but eventually based on the 1,300 hp Merlin 30. Two prototypes ordered January 30, 1939, of which the first was flown on December 7, 1940, ini-tially with low-set tailplane. Second pro-totype, with definitive high tailplane, flown June 29, 1941, and first prototype flown in Mk II configuration with Merlin 32 on August 17, 1942. With crew of three, the Fairey Barracuda had armament of two 0.303-in (7.7-mm) Vickers 'K' guns in rear cockpit and carried one torpedo or 1, 500-lb (681 -kg) mine under fuselage or four 500-lb (227-kg) or six 250-lb (114-kg) bombs under wings.
Fairey Barracuda I: Initial production batch of 25 by Fairey and five by Westland; first flown May 18, 1942. Merlin 30 engine and 13,500 Ib (6,129 kg) gross weight.
Fairey Barracuda II: Principal production version, with 1,640 hp Merlin 32 engine and 14,100 Ib (6,401 kg) gross weight. ASV Mk UN radar fitted. Production total, 675 by Fairey, 700 by Blackburn, 300 by Boulton Paul and 13 by Westland. Initial deliveries to No 827 Sqn, January 1943, and 12 squadrons operational by January 1944; first actions September 1943. One ^k II flown with airborne lifeboat carried under fuselage and another tested with underwing con-tainers each to carry two parachute-equipped occupants.

Max speed, 228 mph (367 km/h) at 1,750 ft (533 m). Cruising speed, 172-193 mph (277-311 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,524 m)'. Time to 5,000 ft (1,524 m), 6 min. Service ceiling, 16,600 ft (5,060 m). Range, 524 mis (843 km) with 1,800 Ib (816 kg) bombs, 1,150 mis (1,850 km) with max fuel. Empty weight, 9,350 Ib (4,241 kg). Gross weight, 14,100 Ib (6,396 kg). Span, 49ft 2 in (14.99 m). Length, 39 ft 9 in (12.12 m). Wing area, 405 sqft (37.62 m).

Fairey Barracuda III: As Mk II with ASV Mk X scanner in ventral radome, for anti-submarine duties. Deliveries began 1943; 460 built by Fairey and 392 by Boulton Paul.
Fairey Barracuda IV: One Mk II converted to have 1,850 hp Griffon VIII and flown November 16, 1944. Span increased to 53 ft Ol/2 in (16.17 m) and crew reduced to two.
Fairey Barracuda V: Production form of Mk IV with l,960:hp Griffon 37 and revised cowling. No rear defensive armament but one forward-firing Browning in wing. Max external bomb load 2,000 Ib (907 kg). Some Mk Us converted to Mk V during production in 1945; first genuine production Mk V flown post-war.