FAIREY FANTOME -
The Fairey Fantome, designed by Marcel Lobelle in 1934 and first flown
on June 6, 1935, was intended to meet Belgian requirements for a successor
to the Fairey Firefly II. Three more (called Feroce) were assembled by
Avions Fairey in Belgium of which two were sold to Soviet Union and eventually
served with Republican forces in Spain; the third was evaluated in UK
by RAF during 1938 and 1939 (as L7045) and was on the strength of a gas
contamination practice unit at Rollestone in 1940/41. The engine was a
925 hp Hispano-Suiza 12 Ycrs with a 20-mm Oerlikon motor-cannon.
Max speed, 270 mph
(435 km/h) at 13,120ft (4,000 m). Gross speed, 4,120 Ib (2,060 kg). Span,
34 ft 6 in (10.52 m). Length, 27ft 7 in (8.40m).
