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Fairchild 71
| Fairchild 71 | |
|---|---|
| Fairchild 71 in RCAF colours | |
| Type | passenger or cargo transport |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) |
| Maiden flight | 1926 |
The Fairchild 71 was an American high-wing monoplane passenger and cargo transport aircraft built by Fairchild Aircraft and later built in Canada by Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) for both military and civilian use as a rugged, bush plane.
Contents
Design and development
The Fairchild Aircraft Company undertook a progressive development of the Fairchild FC-2W2 light transport, the 71 incorporated many changes, including slightly swept-back wings, and a 50 ft span and a doubling of engine power, along with a number of interior changes for passenger comfort.carried on with its FC-2 model aircraft, which first flew in 1926. The FC-2W was a further development featuring .
The Model 71, as it was first known, again featured Fairchild's traditional composite construction including a welded steel fuselage and tail along with a strut-braced wooden wing and fabric covering overall. This variant was again designed with the company's predilection for aerial photography, featuring a camera bay for vertical photography and low-set, rear door windows to permit oblique photography.
Built in the United States between 1928 and 1930, Fairchild formed a company in Canada (Fairchild Aircraft Limited) at Longueuil, Quebec in 1929 to support the Canadian operators of Fairchild aircraft. The company also set up a factory production line for the Model 71 developing a variant for the Canadian military. The Canadian built aircraft differed from standard in that all the passenger-comfort features were removed and built specifically for aerial photography.[1]
Operational history
The United States Army Air Service acquired one 71 for evaluation, designated XC-8. Later re designated XF-8 and used for photographic work. Eight more service-test aircraft, designated YF-1 were ordered; all nine were later re designated C-8.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), another major military operator, evaluated the Fairchild 71 in mid-June 1930. Thirty four RCAF FC-71s were operated from 1930 to 1946. Along with the earlier FC-2 series, the RCAF FC-71 was utilized primarily in the aerial photographic survey role as well as northern transport. In November 1934, the RCAF transferred the FC-71s to the five detachments flying in the amalgamated Maritimes No. 5 (Flying Boat) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth. The squadron flew the FC-71 extensively on anti-smuggling (rum running) and illegal immigration patrols for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). [1]
Most of the 71 production ended up in the hands of bush plane operators in Canada and the United States. Civilian operators likewise found the 71 a rugged, reliable and highly useful utility transport, well suited for northern and remote operations.
Variants
- Fairchild 71
- Initial production variant
- Fairchild 71A
- Production variant with increased swept back on wings and improved interior
- Fairchild 71C
- Canadian-built version
- Fairchild 71-CM
- Canadian-built version with metal-skinned fuselage
- Fairchild Super 71
- Floatplane version with new fuselage and greater span wing
- Fairchild 51/71
- Canadian-built version with wings of Model 51 and fuselage of Model 71
United States military designations
- XC-8
- One prototype Fairchild 71, later re-designated XF-1 when modified for photo survey.
- C-8
- YF-1 re-designated
- C-8A
- F-1A re-designated
- XF-1
- XC-8 re-designated for photo-survey
- YF-1
- Eight Fairchild 71 aircraft for evaluation with provision for seven passenger seats, later re-designated C-8A.
- F-1A
- Production aircraft (Fairchild 71A), six built later redesignated C-8A.
- R2Q-1
- One Fairchild 71 for evaluation by the United States Navy, originally designated XJ2Q-1.
Operators
Military operators
Specifications (Model 71C)
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada: Prospero Books, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.
- Milberry, Larry. Aviation In Canada. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd., 1979. ISBN 0-07-082778-8.
- Molson, Ken M. and Taylor, Harold A. Canadian Aircraft Since 1909. Stittsville, Ontario: Canada's Wings, Inc., 1982. ISBN 0-920002-11-0.
External links
See also
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
Template:USAF transports Template:USN transports Template:USAAF reconnaissance aircraft Template:USN utility aircraft Template:Fairchild aircraft
Lists relating to aviation | |
|---|---|
| General | Timeline of aviation · Aircraft · Aircraft manufacturers · Aircraft engines · Aircraft engine manufacturers · Airports · Airlines |
| Military | Air forces · Aircraft weapons · Missiles · Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) · Experimental aircraft |
| Notable incidents and accidents | Military aviation · Airliners · General aviation · Famous aviation-related deaths |
| Records | Flight airspeed record · Flight distance record · Flight altitude record · Flight endurance record · Most produced aircraft |
| This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Fairchild 71". |
