| Ferret | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ferret Mk.III | |
| Role | Two-seat general-purpose biplane |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation Company |
| First flight | June 1925 |
| Number built | 3 |
The Fairey Ferret was a 1930s British general-purpose biplane designed and built by the Fairey Aviation Company.[1] It performed well in trials but was not ordered into production.[1]
The Ferret was designed to meet a Fleet Air Arm requirement defined by specification 37/22[2] for a reconnaissance aircraft; it was the company's first all-metal design.[1] With a lack of interest from the FAA the company proposed the design to meet a Royal Air Force requirement for a general-purpose biplane.[1]
The company built three prototypes, two were three-seaters (to meet the naval requirement) and the third was a two-seater.[1] The two-seater Ferret III was also fitted with a new Fairey-designed high-speed gun mounting in the rear cockpit.[1] The first prototype first flew in June 1925 powered by a 400 hp (298 kW) Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar IV radial engine.[1] The other two aircraft had a nine-inch extension to the wingspan and both were fitted with a 425 hp (317 kW) Bristol Jupiter radial engine.[1]
The aircraft performed well during trials at RAF Martlesham Heath but was not ordered into production.[1]
Data from [1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
