The mounting sales of the Fairchild 22 Model C7A induced the company to produce what was basically an enclosed cabin version of that aircraft. To achieve this, the configuration was changed to that of a braced high-wing monoplane, the resulting cabin seating two side-by-side. Other changes included the introduction of a tailwheel, and the initial Fairchild 24 Model C8 was powered by a 71kW A.C.E. Cirrus (licence-built) Hi-Ace 4-cyclinder inverted inline engine and first flew in 1932.
Fairchild’s 24R first appeared in 1939 and was produced for the civilian aircraft market until the United States entered World War II. Certificated during April 1932, only 10 examples of the basic Fairchild 24 Model C8 were produced.
The type certificate for the Fairchild 24 C8-A was issued on 1 September 1933. At least 25 examples of the C8-A were produced by the Kreider-Reisner Aircraft Co.
In 1937 production of the four-seat F-24J began. This was built with the 145 hp Warner Super-Scarab radial and the 165 hp Ranger R-690-D3 inline engines. In 1938, the similar Ranger-powered F-24K appeared to be followed in 1939 by the F-24R-0 with the Ranger engine and F-24W-9 with the Warner.
In 1941, the United States Army Air Force contracted for a utility transport and communications version Warner R-500-1 F-24W-41, to be known as the UC-61 Forwarder. Under Lend-Lease arrangements, of the 163 built, about 161 of these aircraft served with the Royal Air Force and the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) ferry organisation, under the name Argus. The Argus I had a 145 hp Warner Super Scarab engine; the Argus II had a 165 hp Super Scarab engine, and the Argus III had a 175 hp inverted in-line engine.
The UC-61A was similar, the USAAF retaining 148 of the 412 built.
As an innovative concept, the aircraft was available with two powerplants, Warner’s Scarab and Fairchild’s in-house 200 hp Ranger series in the F24 C8D, E and F. Initially the 1932 model Fairchild 24 C8B used a Warner 125 hp radial engine, and the Fairchild 24 C8C used the Warner 145 hp radial. American Cirrus III and Menasco Pirate inline engines were also occasionally used in some earlier Fairchild 24s. Later models such as the 24Ws upgraded to the 165 hp Warner Super Scarab.
In 1942, production of the F-24R was shifted to a military version, which was designated UC-61K. The F-24R is equipped with a 175 hp, six-cylinder, air-cooled Ranger engine that delivers a near 120 mph cruise speed for more than 600 miles. Other versions of the F-24 were powered by a 145 hp or 165 hp Warner Super Scarab radial, 200 hp inline Ranger and 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior.
Temco built the 24-R46 and 24-W46 versions of the Fairchild 24-R9 and 24-W9.
Turns while taxiing are accomplished through the use of a steerable tailwheel and construction of the F-24 is a steel-tube fuselage, heavily faired to shape with formers and spruce longerons. Wings are 66 inch chord, wooden with fabric covering. Most variants were available with optional float or ski landing gear.
The Army’s World War II version, the UC 61.
Twenty-nine Fairchild 24K ‘short nosed” 24s were delivered with 165 horsepower Rangers.
Production of the commercial models F-24W-46 and F-24R-46 was resumed after the war.
C8-A
Engine: Warner Scarab, 125 hp.
1934 Fairchild F 24C-8-C
Engine: 145hp Warner
Cruise speed: 100 mph
Fuel burn: approx 36 l/hr
24 C8F Ranger
24-G
Engine; 1 x Warner Super Scarab 50, 108kW
Max take-off weight; 1089 kg / 2401 lb
Empty weight; 669 kg / 1475 lb
Wingspan; 11.07 m / 36 ft 4 in
Length; 7.26 m / 23 ft 10 in
Height; 2.24 m / 7 ft 4 in
Wing area; 16.09 sq.m / 173.19 sq ft
Max. speed; 209 km/h / 130 mph
Cruise speed; 190 km/h / 118 mph
Ceiling; 5030 m / 16500 ft
Range; 764 km / 475 miles
24K
Engine: Ranger, 165 hp.
24 R40
Engine: Ranger, 165 hp
F-24W
Engine; 1 x Warner
24 W40
Engine: Warner Super Scarab, 145 hp
Fairchild 24 W41 Argus
Engine: Warner Super Scarab, 145 hp
Wingspan : 36.319 ft / 11.07 m
Wing area : 173.193 sqft / 16.09 sqm
Length: 23.819 ft / 7.26 m
Height: 7.349 ft / 2.24 m
Max take off weight : 2401.2 lb / 1089.0 kg
Weight empty : 1475.1 lb / 669.0 kg
Wing load : 13.94 lb/sq.ft / 68.00 kg/sq.m
Top speed: 145 mph
Cruise: 125 mph
Range: 720 mi
Service ceiling: 16,000 ft
24 W41A / C-61
Engine: Warner Super Scarab, 145 hp
C-61 Argus
Wingspan: 36ft.
Engine: Ranger, 175 hp
Gross wt: 2,562 lb
Empty wt: 1,863 lb
Wing area: 193.6 sq.ft
Wing loading: 14.7 lb/sq.ft.
Dihedral: 2.5 degree.
Airfoil: N 2.
Tread: 9 feet, 3 in.
Elevator span: 12 feet, 15/8 in.
Cruise: 105-120 mph.
ROC: 750 fpm.
Useful load: 699 lb.
Fuel cap: 60 USG.
Vmax: 133mph.
Vne: 185 mph.
Vs (clean): 57mph
Vs full flap: 53mph.
Takeoff to 50 ft: 1,100 ft.
Landing 50ft: 1,000.
Range: 600 mile.
Ceiling: 14,000 ft.
Engine: 145 hp Warner Scarab
Gross weight: 1,750 lbs
Empty weight: 1,102 lb
Top speed: 133 mph
Cruise speed: 115 mph
Initial climb rate: 900 fpm
Service ceiling: 20,000 ft
Range 350 nm
Seats: 2
Argus II
Engine: 165 hp Warner R-500 Super-Scarab 165
Wingspan: 36 ft 4 in
Length: 23 ft 9 in
Height: 7 ft 7.5 in
Wing area: 193.3 in
Empty weight: 1613 lb
Loaded weight: 2562 lb
Max speed: 132 mph
Cruise 75%: 117 mph
ROC: 700 fpm
Range: 640 mi
All Aero 