Fairey Fulmar II
| Crew | 2 |
| Dimensions | 46'5" by 40'3" by 10'8" 14.15m by 12.27m by 3.25m |
| Weight | 7015-10,200 lbs 3182-4627 kg |
| Maximum speed | 272 mph 438 km/h |
| Ceiling | 27,200 feet 8290 meters |
| Powerplant | 1300hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 30 vee-12 liquid-cooled engine driving a three bladed propeller |
| Armament | Eight 0.303 or four 0.50 Browning fixed machine guns in outer wings. |
| External stores | Two 250 lb (113kg) bombs |
| Range | 780 miles 1260 km |
| Production | A total of 250 Mk I and 350 Mk II from 10/5/40 to 2/43. |
| Variants | The Fulmar I was equipped with a 1080hp Merlin VIII engine. |
The Fulmar was Britain's most advanced carrier fighter at the start of the Pacific war. Developed from a prewar light bomber, it was a very large aircraft, and in spite of having a second seat for a navigator there was no rear-firing gun. The Fulmar had good range and was surprisingly maneuverable for a two-seat fighter, and did well enough in the Mediterranean against the Italian and second-line German fighters it usually encountered. However, it was no match for a Zero. This, and the low aircraft capacity of British carriers, prevented Britain from participating in any significant carrier battles.
By 1945 it had been replaced in front line service
by the Seafire, and was relegated
to night fighter and
training duty. Its easy handling made it particularly suitable for
practicing deck landings.
References
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia (c) 2007 by Kent G. Budge. Index
