FAIREY ALBACORE
- The Fairey Albacore torpedo-bomber-reconnaissance biplane was designed
by Marcel Lobelle to meet the requirements of Specification S.41/36 and
a prototype flew on December 12, 1938. Power plant was a 1,065 hp Taurus
II and armament comprised a fixed forward-firing 0.303-in (7.7-mm) gun
and one or two similar guns in the rear cockpit, with one 18-in (46-cm),
1,600-lb (727-kg) torpedo under fuselage or four 500-lb (227-kg) bombs
under wings. Production totalled 800 (including prototypes), completed
in 1943, later aircraft having the 985 hp Taurus XII engine. Service deliveries
began March 1940 to No 826 Sqn, which began operations in June, joined
by three more during 1940, all engaged in land-based anti-submarine patrols
and night-bombing attacks on Channel targets. First major operation by
carrier-based Fairey Albacores was Battle of Cape Matapan in March 1941.
One squadron operated from Malta and several in North Africa; one UK-based
RCAF Squadron, No 415, flew Fairey Albacores in 1943/44, and as No 119
Sqn continued into 1945.
Max speed, 161 mph
(257 km/h) at 4,500 ft (1,370 m). Cruising speed, 116 mph (186 km/h).
Time to 6,000ft (1,830 m), 8 min. Service ceiling, 20,700ft (6,310 m).
Range, 710 mis (1,143 km), with 2,000~lb (907-kg) warload. Empty weight,
7,250 Ib (3,292 kg). Gross weight, 10,460 Ib (4,749 kg). Span, 50ft 0
in (15.25 m). Length, 39ft 10 in (12. 14 m). Wing area, 623 sqft (57.9
m2).
