What immediately struck me, when opening this book, was the contents page listing the aircraft that would be covered.
Seaplanes, fighters, bombers, & eventually helicopters would all bear the Fairey name. Not forgetting all the subcontracting work they did, manufacturing parts & aircraft for other companies.
We could all dream of being a Charles Fairey. This young man put his electrical engineering qualifications to good use by designing model aircraft & winning a notable competition. This led to a contract with a London department store, & eventually a job with Short Brothers.
All this while Charles was still in his twenties.
With Short's approval, Charles soon seeked out his own subcontract to build seaplanes, & in 1915 the Fairey Aviation Company was born.
The book then begins the history of the company's many designs, with many rare photos of the aircraft included.
Names such as 'Flycatcher' & 'Fox', proceeded the much loved 'Swordfish', which despite being described as obsolete, would carry out some sterling work in the Second World War.
Fairey would continue to manufacture a variety of aircraft, for different roles, throughout the war.
Much like the Bristol company, thoughts turned to the post-war designs of the 'Gannet', helicopters & the jet age.
The incredible Fairey Delta, F.D.2, would eventually hold the world speed record in the 1950's, & was another aircraft that played an important role in the design of Concorde.
This has proven to be another excellent addition to the series from Key Publishing, & I'm definitely going to be building up a collection of these books on my shelves.
My thanks to Pen & Sword Books for this review copy.
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