The Fairey Firefly was design as a carrier-based fighter to replace the Fairey Fulmar. Although an improvement on the Fulmar’s performance, protracted development meant that by the time it entered service, the Firefly was not competitive as a fighter. The requirement for a two man crew impacted performance at a time the US and Japanese navies were using single-seat fighters. In the European Theatre, it would face land-based single seat fighters.
The Firefly’s first operational deployment was in July 1944, when they equipped 1770 Naval Air Squadron aboard HMS Indefatigable. Initial operations were armed reconnaissance and anti-shipping strikes along the Norwegian coast. In the Far East and Pacific theatres, Fireflies undertook strike missions against oil refineries, airfields and other targets until the end of the war.
Post-war the Firefly was used as a strike aircraft during the Korean War, operating from Commonwealth aircraft carriers. It’s role later expanded to include anti-submarine patrols, target tug and training duties.
Fairey Firefly Z2022 (‘E’4D’) of 1772 NAS November 25 1944 after ending up in the barrierFairey Firefly Z2022 (‘E’4D’) of 1772 NAS November 25 1944 after ending up in the barrier
Fairey Firefly aircraft of 812 Sqn from HMS Glory flying near Palmas Bay, Sardinia. March 1950Fairey Firefly aircraft of 812 Sqn from HMS Glory flying near Palmas Bay, Sardinia. March 1950Fairey Firefly aircraft of 812 Sqn from HMS Glory flying near Palmas Bay, Sardinia. March 1950Light cruiser HMS Phoebe entering Marmice Harbour, Turkey. seen from aircraft carrier HMS Glory with Fairey Firefly aircraft. July 1950A Fairey Firefly FR 5, of 812 Squadron), touching down on HMS Glory. June 1951A Fairey Firefly FR 5, of 812 Squadron, about to leave the flight deck of HMS Glory.A Fairey Firefly FR 5, of 812 Squadron, about to leave the flight deck of HMS Glory.HMS Glory (R62) launches a Fairey Firefly off Korea 1951Armourers of the 14th Carrier Air Group hoisting a 1,000 lb bomb on to the wing of a Fairey Firefly on board HMS Glory. September 1951January 1953 Lt. Derek F Robbins, R.N. in the cockpit of a Fairey Firefly on the flight deck of HMS Glory.Fairey Firefly crash on HMS Glory January 1953
Fairey Firefly on HMS Implacable November 1944Fairey Firefly and Supermarine Seafire Aircraft on HMS Implacable November 1944Fairey Fireflies and Barracuda Aircraft on HMS Implacable November 1944Fairey Fireflies (1771 Squadron), Fairey Barracudas (828 Squadron), and Supermarine Seafires (880 Squadron) warming up ready to make strike on enemy shipping at Alten Fjord, Norway
A rocket-carrying Fairey Firefly of 1770 NAS waiting to take off from HMS Indefatigable during the strike on the Japanese oil refinery at Pangkalan Brandan, SumatraFairey Firefly of 1770 NAS with rockets attached, taking off from HMS Indefatigable during the strike on the Japanese oil refinery at Pangkalan Brandan, SumatraFairey Firefly of 1770 NAS with wheels and hook down is ready to land on board HMS Indefatigable after a strike on the Japanese oil refinery at Pangkalan Brandan, SumatraPushing a damaged Firefly of 1772 Squadron along the deck July 1945Folding the wings of a Fairey Firefly of 1770 Squadron on HMS IndefatigableFairey Firefly over HMS Indefatigable
A Fairey Firefly lands on HMS Ocean during prior to joining 2nd Aircraft Carrier Squadron at Malta August 1954A Firefly of 825 Squadron landing on HMS Ocean on return from attacking enemy targets.10 July 1952A Fairey Firefly Mark IV FR from 825 Naval Air Squadron flying a reconnaissance mission from HMS Ocean along the eastern seaboard of KoreaThe pilot of a Firefly of 825 Squadron after landing on HMS Ocean on return from attacking enemy targets. 10 July 1952Sea Furies and Fireflies ranged on the flight deck of HMS Ocean. 11 July 1952
Fairey Firefly missed the arrester wires and crashed into the barricadeA Firefly is returned onto its wheels after flipping on its nose during a landing on HMS Puncher late in 1945The Batman coaches a Firefly onto HMS Puncher’s deck
A Firefly AS.5 of 810 Squadron making a rocket assisted take-off from HMS Theseus off Korea.A Firefly aircraft of HMS Theseus preparing to take off on a sortie against the enemy in Korea.Sea Fury taking off from HMS Theseus for a sortie against the enemy in Korea. In the foreground a Firefly is being brought into position.Fairey Firefly having been stopped by the safety net on HMS TheseusSea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the deck of HMS Theseus off the Korean coast, 8th December 1950Hawker Sea Fury and Firefly aircraft of the snowy deck of HMS TheseusSea Furies and Fireflies on HMS Theseus during fleet exercises March 1952HMCS Magnificent seen from HMS Theseus Exercise Mainbrace September 1952. Fairey Fireflies are parked on deckHMS Theseus end on to HMS Implacable aircraft on the flight deck are Fireflies of 826 Sqn October 1952 at GibraltarFairey Firefly landing in HMS TheseusFairey Firefly being maneuvered on HMS Theseus. Hawker Sea Fury fighters further up the deckPreparing a 500 lbs bomb for fitting to a Firefly of 810 Squadron on board HMS Theseus April 1951500 lbs bomb being adjusted on one of the bomb racks of a Firefly of 810 Squadron April 1951 Korea
HMS Triumph visits a Japanese base, probably in Kure, for maintenance after action in Korean waters with Fairey Firefly aircraft on deckHMS Triumph visits a Japanese base, probably in Kure, for maintenance after action in Korean waters with Fairey Firefly aircraft on deckFairey Firefly flying over HMS Triumph off Korea 1950Fairey Firefly FR.Mk.4 on HMS TriumphFairey Firefly on HMS TriumphFairey Firefly aircraft on HMS TriumphFairey Firefly crash landing on HMS TriumphFairey Firefly crash on HMS Triumph
Reserve aircraft stowed in one of HMS Unicorn’s hangars, there are 3 Corsairs and 1 Firefly parked along the hangar wallPreparing a Firefly V for flying on board HMS Unicorn. Jan 1951Air Mechanics servicing a Sea Fury and Firefly on board HMS Unicorn ready for flying off to HMS Theseus.
