Aerei Fairey: libri illustrati di storia e guide

Fairey 1915-60

Uno dei tanti ingredienti necessari per creare una grande azienda aeronautica è la capacità di diversificare, e questa fu solo una delle forze che permisero alla Fairey Aviation Company di rimanere in attività dal 1915 al 1960.
Come molti altri produttori di aeromobili dell'epoca, Fairey si affermò inizialmente svolgendo lavori in subappalto e, mentre questi venivano eseguiti, iniziò ad ampliare la propria gamma di velivoli. Fairey non si limitò a produrre aerei secondo le specifiche, ma progettò nuove caratteristiche che sarebbero state incorporate in tutti gli aeromobili futuri.
Il più grande e sorprendente successo dell'azienda si verificò quando l'onnipresente Swordfish, affettuosamente soprannominata "Stringbag", entrò in produzione nel 1936.

L'avventura dell'azienda nel settore degli elicotteri si sarebbe rivelata la sua rovina, nonostante gli enormi progressi tecnici raggiunti in un brevissimo lasso di tempo. Acquisita da Westlands nel 1960, l'eredità dell'ultimo velivolo dell'azienda, il Rotodyne, vive ancora oggi, e solo ora, nel XXI secolo, il mondo è veramente pronto per una macchina così straordinaria.

Questo libro esplora l'affascinante storia dell'azienda e degli aerei che ha prodotto.

Dettagli del libro

Formato:	160 pagine, 24.5 x 17 cm, brossura
Illustrazioni:	riccamente illustrato
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	Key Publishing Ltd (GB, 2023)
Collana:	Aviation Industry
ISBN:	9781802823776

Swordfish - Fairey's Successful Torpedobomber

The Fairey Swordfish story is one of an aircraft initially frowned upon when it entered service in 1936, respected by the beginning of World War Two and deemed legendary by the time peace was declared.
The Swordfish was the only torpedo bomber Britain had in significant numbers at the beginning of the war and it would prove to be so much more. Designed with one role in mind, the Swordfish evolved into one of the most versatile of naval aircraft. Its slow speed, which was criticised from the outset, proved to be one of its strengths, especially when it came to anti-submarine work.
Affectionately nicknamed the 'Stringbag', the aircraft achieved an outstanding war record beginning with operations in Norway. The attack on the Italian harbour at Taranto that crippled the Italian Navy displayed what the aircraft was capable of and that it was clearly not be underestimated. The Swordfish also played an important role in the invasion of Madagascar, which kept the Japanese at bay early on in the war.

The bravery displayed by the aircrew during the attacks on the Bismarck is legendary, while equal, but fruitless, courage was exhibited during the ill-fated Channel Dash. The latter incident, in particular, not only says a lot about the aircraft, but also about the crews. They were under no illusion, being aware that the Swordfish was not the best aircraft they could have gone to war in, but they would fight in it to the death nevertheless.

Regardless, it outlived its operational replacement, the Albacore, by some years, mainly because the Swordfish was more suited to escort carrier and Mac-ship operations, a duty it carried out to the bitter end, protecting convoys far and wide. A new book edition of Aeroplane Icons: Swordfish, this book explores the history, creation, development and service of the Swordfish.

Dettagli del libro

Formato:	96 pagine, 24.5 x 17 x 2.4 cm, brossura
Illustrazioni:	160 foto in B&N
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	Key Publishing Ltd (GB, 2023)
Collana:	Historic Military Aircraft
ISBN:	9781802824810

Fleet Air Arm Legends : Fairey Swordfish

Few aircraft encompass as many contradictions as the Fairey Swordfish - the legendary 'Stringbag' naval torpedo bomber was approaching antiquation at the start of the war yet struck mortal blows against some of the most powerful battleships in the Axis fleets.
Naval aviation historian Matthew Willis explores how modern technology such as radar kept the Swordfish effective in the early years of the war and enabled it to find and hit the Italian fleet at Taranto, and the Bismarck in the Atlantic, in circumstances where no other aircraft could have succeeded.

When it was finally superseded in its main role with the Fleet, the Swordfish fulfilled vital roles protecting convoys from the U-boat menace. The story of the Swordfish's service across the majority of theatres in WW2, from the hunt for the Graf Spee to the beaches of Normandy, is told here with never before- published accounts from veteran aircrews.
Includes 100+ historic photographs and unique images of the Royal Navy Historic Flight's preserved aircraft

Dettagli del libro

Autore:	Matthew Willis
Formato:	116 pagine, 24.5 x 18.5 x 0.7 cm, brossura
Illustrazioni:	100+ foto in B&N e in colori
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	Mortons Media Group (GB, 2022)
ISBN:	9781911658498

Stringbag - The Fairey Swordfish at War

This is a narrative account of the operations of the Fairey Swordfish throughout World War Two. The most famous of these was the attack on the Italian fleet at Taranto, crippling three battleships and damaging several other ships as well as the seaplane base and an oil storage depot.

The Swordfish played a prominent part in the Battle of Matapan and in the sinking of the Bismarck. Less happily, Swordfish were used in the unsuccessful and ill-prepared raid on the Germans at Petsamo and in the abortive attack on the battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during the Channel Dash in 1942.
Throughout the book, the text is interwoven with personal accounts by naval airmen.

Dettagli del libro

Autore:	David Wragg
Formato:	218 pagine, 23 x 15.5 x 1.9 cm, brossura
Illustrazioni:	60 foto in B&N
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	Pen & Sword Books Ltd (GB, 2020)
ISBN:	9781526790996

The Man Who Built the Swordfish : The Life of Sir Richard Fairey, 1887-1956

Sir Richard Fairey was one of the great aviation innovators of the twentieth century. His career as a plane maker stretched from the Edwardian period to the jet age - he lived long enough to see one of his aircraft be the first to break the 1000mph barrier; and at least one of his designs, the Swordfish, holds iconic status.

A qualified engineer, party to the design, development, and construction of the Royal Navy's state-of-the-art sea planes, Sir Richard founded Fairey Aviation at the Admiralty's behest in 1915.
His company survived post-war retrenchment to become one of Britain's largest aircraft manufacturers. The firm built a succession of front-line aircraft for the RAF and the Fleet Air Arm, including the iconic Swordfish.
In addition, Fairey Aviation designed and built several cutting-edge experimental aircraft, including long-distance record-breakers between the wars and the stunningly beautiful Delta 2, which broke the world speed record on the eve of Sir Richard's death in 1956.

Fairey also came to hold a privileged position in the British elite - courting politicians and policymakers. He became a figurehead of the British aviation industry and his successful running of the British Air Commission earned him a knighthood.
A key player at a pivotal moment, Fairey's life tells us much about the exercise of power in early twentieth-century Britain and provides an insight into the nature of the British aviation manufacturing industry at its wartime peak and on the cusp of its twilight years.

Dettagli del libro

Autore:	Adrian Smith
Formato:	480 pagine, 23.5 x 18.5 x 4.5 cm, copertina rigida
Illustrazioni:	25 foto in B&N
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781788313360

The Fairey Battle - a Reassessment of its RAF Career

The Fairey Battle is best known for being one of the worst aircraft ever to serve in the Royal Air Force. On operations, it suffered the highest loss rate of any plane in the RAF's history, and the missions flown by its brave crews became a byword for hopelessness and futility.
Born out of muddled thinking, condemned before it even reached the squadrons, and abandoned after the briefest of operational careers, the plane seems to thoroughly deserve its reputation.

But was the Battle so useless? Why did it suffer such terrible losses? Was there nothing that could have been done to prevent the disasters of 1940?
A fresh look at the documents of the time suggest there was. They reveal a very different story of ignored recommendations and missed opportunities. It was the way the plane was used rather than fundamental flaws in the design that ensured its operational career was such a dismal failure.
It might even be argued that, in the desperate days of the summer of 1940, the Fairey Battle was exactly what Britain needed.

Dettagli del libro

Autore:	Greg Baughen
Formato:	192 pagine, 23.5 x 16.5 x 1.9 cm, copertina rigida
Illustrazioni:	57 foto in B&N
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	Fonthill Media (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781781555859

Fairey Rotodyne

Il Fairey Rotodyne era un grande elicottero britannico a doppia elica progettato e costruito dalla Fairey Aviation Company, destinato ad applicazioni commerciali e militari. Era considerato uno dei progetti aeronautici più iconici degli anni '50 e '60 e per questo velivolo si prospettava un futuro promettente.
Considerato da molti un progetto rivoluzionario, era economicamente fattibile, veloce e in grado di decollare e atterrare verticalmente dagli eliporti del centro città. Tuttavia, nonostante la comprovata fattibilità di questo audace concetto, il progetto Rotodyne fu interrotto nel 1962 a causa dell'aumento dei costi di sviluppo e di problemi tecnici irrisolti.

Questo libro si propone di colmare una lacuna nella letteratura aeronautica sulla storia del Rotodyne, un velivolo all'avanguardia per l'epoca. David Gibbings è un ingegnere/navigatore in pensione della RAF e ingegnere collaudatore di elicotteri e aerei. Ha lavorato al Rotodyne presso la Fairey e successivamente è stato ingegnere collaudatore presso la Westland.

Dettagli del libro

Autore:	David Gibbings
Formato:	160 pagine, 24.5 x 17 x 1 cm, brossura
Illustrazioni:	illustrato
Lingua:	inglese
Editore:	The History Press Ltd (GB, 2009)
ISBN:	9780752449166