The Fairey Firefly was operated in the post-World War II by the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), serving from 1946 until its retirement in 1953. The Fairey Firefly was a British-designed, carrier-based aircraft developed during World War II to meet the Royal Navy’s need for a versatile reconnaissance and strike platform. Following the war, Canada sought to establish a capable naval aviation component. In 1946, the RCN acquired 64 Fireflies, which were based at CFB Shearwater in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. These aircraft were operated from the RCN’s aircraft carriers, HMCS Warrior and HMCS Magnificent.
The Firefly served in various roles, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), reconnaissance, and strike missions. The primary squadrons operating the Firefly were:
No. 825 Squadron RCN: Operated the Firefly from 1945 until 1951, after which it was renumbered to 880 Squadron RCN.
No. 826 Squadron RCN: Operated the Firefly from 1946 to 1950, also transitioning to 880 Squadron RCN in 1951.
Fairey Firefly in Canadian Service
HMCS Magnificent
Fairey Firefly being launched from HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly FR. Mk IV, TW753, 825 Sqn swerved off the flight deck on HMCS MagnificentHMCS Magnificent (CVL 21), Fairey Firefly accident, 1951Grumman Avenger AS.3, Hawker Sea Fury and Fairey Firefly aircraft on the deck of HMCS Magnificent Sep 1953Hawker Sea Fury and a Fairey Firefly aboard HMCS Magnificent (CVL 21)Fairey Firefly Mk. 1, (Serial No. PP412), landing on HMCS Magnificent, 17 November 1949Fairey Firefly F.R. Mk. I (Serial No. PP412), coded AB-K, taking off from HMCS Magnificent, November 1949Fairey Firefly F.R. Mk. I (MB579) AB-U of No. 826 Squadron after hitting No. 2 Barrier aboard HMCS Magnificent 18 Feb 1950Fairey Firefly Mk. 1, HMCS Magnificent.
HMCS Warrior
Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with folded wings on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly with wings folded on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorSupermarine Seafire and Fairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly aircraft on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly landing on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorCrashed Fairey Firefly on HMCS WarriorHMCS Warrior, turned into the wind to launch Firefly aircraft, 1947Fairey Firefly Mk. 1, on board HMCS Warrior , Caribbean circa 1947Fairey Firefly Mk. 1, on board HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly Mk. 1, on board HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly Mk. 1, on board HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly Mk. 1, on board HMCS WarriorFairey Firefly in full deck run launch, HMCS Warrior, c1947Fairey Firefly FR Mk 1, on deck, HMCS Warrior, 1946Fairey Firefly FR Mk 1, gets a wave off, HMCS Warrior, 1946Fairey Firefly catapult launch. HMCS Warrior, c1947
Shore Based Fireflies
RCN Supermarine Seafires with a Fairey Firefly, over MacNab’s Island and the entrance to Halifax Harbour, 25 November 1947Fairey Firefly Mk. I, RCNFairey Firefly Mk. I, RCNFairey Firefly Mk. I, RCN (Serial No. MB579)Fairey Firefly Mk. 5, RCN. ca. 1949Fairey Firefly AS Mk. 5, RCN, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, 1949Fairey Firefly AS Mk. 5, RCN, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, 1949Fairey Firefly AS Mk. 5, RCN, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, 1949Firefly AS.Mk 5 RCN, 1949Firefly AS.Mk 5Fairey Firefly Mk. I being loaded with 3-inch rockets armed with a 60-lb practice warhead head, RCN, 4 May 1949Fairey Firefly Ordnance instruction. School of Naval Aircraft MaintenanceAir mechanics replenishing oxygen supply of Fairey Firefly FR.I
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