The Fairchild BQ-3, Model 79, was an early expendable unmanned aerial vehicle – referred to at the time as an “assault drone”. Development of the BQ-3 began in October, 1942, under a program for the development of “aerial torpedoes” that had been instigated in March of that year. Fairchild was awarded a contract for the construction of two XBQ-3 prototypes, based largely on the AT-21 Gunner advanced gunnery trainer already in United States Army Air Forces service.
XBQ-3 Serial # 43-25253
The XBQ-3 was a twin-engined, low-wing aircraft, fitted with retractable tricycle landing gear and a twin-finned empennage; although the aircraft was intended to be operated by radio control with television assist, a two-seat cockpit was included in the design for testing and ferry flights. Power was provided by two Ranger V-770 inline piston engines of 520 horsepower (390 kW) each; up to 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) of explosives could be carried by the aircraft in unmanned configuration. The aircraft would be destroyed in the act of striking the target.
The first flight of the XBQ-3 took place in July 1944; later that month, one of the prototypes was severely damaged in a forced landing. Despite the accident, flight testing continued; however, the assault drone was determined to have no significant advantage over conventional bombers, and advances in the field of guided missiles were rapidly rendering the concept obsolete. As a result, the program was cancelled towards the end of 1944.
XBQ-3 Engines: 2 × Ranger V-770-15, 520 hp (390 kW) each Wingspan: 37 ft (11 m) Length: 52 ft 8 in (16.05 m) Height: 31 ft 1 in (9.47 m) Gross weight: 15,300 lb (6,940 kg) Maximum speed: 220 mph (350 km/h, 190 kn) Range: 1,500 mi (2,400 km, 1,300 nmi) 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg) warhead Crew: 1 (optional)
Basically an updated version of the Fairchild FC-2W2, the Fairchild 71 incorporated many improvements that resulted from experience with the FC-2 and its variants. Providing seating for a pilot and six passengers, it was powered by a 313kW Pratt & Whitney Wasp 9-cylinder radial engine. First flown in 1929, the Fairchild 71 was built in small numbers from 1929 until 1930, when it was replaced in production by the Fairchild 71A. This differed primarily by having a few degrees of sweepback on the wings, and it introduced a number of refinements to the interior. All Fairchild 71s are of mixed construction with wooden wings and steel-tube fuselage structures.
Though civil operators acquired most of the Fairchild 71s and 71As, the US Army acquired one for evaluation as a light transport under the designation XC-8; dedicated later for photographic work it was redesignated XF-1. Eight service-test aircraft were ordered under the designation YF-1, and all nine were later redesignated C-8. Six production Fairchild 71As were then bought by the US Army with the designation F-1A, later redesignated C-8A The US Navy also acquired a single example for service test under the designation XJ2Q-1, later redesignated R2Q-1.
In 1930 a Canadian branch of the company was established at Longueuil, Quebec, as Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. In addition to providing support for approximately 70 Fairchild aircraft operating in Canada, it began producing the Fairchild 71 for the Canadian Department of National Defence. These aircraft differed from standard by the removal of the features introduced for passenger comfort and were equipped specifically for aerial photography. A commercial Fairchild 71-C was built and marketed later and was available also as the Fairchild 71-CM with a metal-skinned fuselage.
In the mid-1930s Kreider-Reisner built the Fairchild 22 two-seat open-cockpit monoplane and the Fairchild 24 cabin type, also producing the Fairchild 71 amphibian.
The model 71 could be readily fitted with floats, skis or wheels. Its standard range was between 750 and 800 nautical miles, depending on whether it was on floats or skis/wheels. Twenty one model 71s were built. With a view to meeting Canadian requirements for a freight carrier of greater capacity than the standard Fairchild 71, the Fairchild Super 71 floatplane was developed in 1934. Of slightly greater span, it had also a longer and entirely new oval-section fuselage of light alloy construction. The pilot was given a cockpit on the upper surface of the fuselage, to the rear of the 13-foot cabin, with a somewhat restricted forward view between the top of the fuselage and the undersurface of the wing. The cabin could accommodate eight passengers, but the seats were easily removable to create an uncluttered cargo space. Large cargo doors were inset in the port side of the cabin and a passenger door to starboard, the entire accommodation being heated and ventilated. Power was provided by a Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial engine enclosed completely in a low-drag cowling. In 1936, the Royal Canadian Air Force bought two the two Super 71Ps – a modified version fitted with a forward mounted cockpit – for use as photo-survey aircraft. They did not prove successful. One of them was destroyed in August 1937, and the second machine was struck off strength in April 1940.
71-C Engine: One Pratt & Whitney R 1340 1 Wasp, 420 hp. Prop: 2 blade. Wing span: 50 ft 0 in (15.24 m). Length: 32 ft 10 in (10.00 m) Height: 10 ft 6 in Wing area: 335 sq ft (31.12 sq.m). Gross weight: 5,500 lb (2495 kg). Max speed: 129 mph (208 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1525 m). Cruise: 95-100 kt. Landing speed: 55 mph Initial climb rate: 900 fpm Range: 900 miles (1,450 km). Service ceiling: 17,000 ft Accommodation: Crew of 1 / 6 passengers, or equivalent mail or freight load. Fuel capacity: 160 USgal
Super 71 Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney Wasp, 388kW Max take-off weight: 3175 kg / 7000 lb Empty weight: 1544 kg / 3404 lb Wingspan: 17.68 m / 58 ft 0 in Wing area: 36.24 sq.m / 390.08 sq ft Max. speed: 249 km/h / 155 mph Cruise speed: 209 km/h / 130 mph Range: 1314 km / 817 miles
The Fairchild M-62 first flew in March 1939 and was used by the USAAF as a primary trainer. Between February 1940 and May 1944, some 8,000 aircraft were produced in the United States, Canada and Brazil.
M.62A
The PT-19 basic trainer was the military version of the M-62. The aeroplane was ordered in 1940 as the PT-19 with open cockpits and the 130.5-kW (175-hp) Ranger L-440-1 inline. These 270 aircraft proved to be only the beginning of a veritable flood, for next came 3,703 PT-19As with minor improvements and the 149-kW (200-hp) L-440-3 engine, and 917 PT-19B blind-flying trainers with a hooded front cockpit. Sales commenced in 1940 but so many orders resulted in licence production. Airframe production out-stripped engines and the Continental R-670 was substituted in 1942 resulting in the PT-23; the PT-23A was the blind-flying equivalent of which 261 were built.
The St. Louis Aircraft Corporation built 44 Fairchild PT 19 and 306 PT 23. The Army gave St. Louis Aircraft production contracts for the Fairchild designed PT-19 trainer. During 1942-44, St. Louis Aircraft built and delivered 350 of these primary trainers, in two versions: the PT-19A, with a Ranger in-line engine, and PT-23/PT-23A, with a Continental radial. These trainers were all test-flown at St. Louis Aircraft’s own flying field, adjacent to the St. Louis Car factory on North Broadway in St. Louis.
Fairchild PT-19A (left) and PT-23A (right) trainers in St. Louis Aircraft factory, 1944
PT-19s were operated by Civilian Pilot Training schools throughout the war in conjunction with the Army Air Force, the principal user.
The RCAF adopted the PT-23 and PT-26 as the Cornell, built by Fleet Aircraft Ltd, Toronto. country Fleet Aircraft Company of Canada built 1642 Cornells under license, and they were designated either as PT-23s or PT-26s. The latter were distinguished by their cold-weather, enclosed canopy. The RCAF selected the Cornell as a successor to the Tiger Moth and Fleet Finch. The RCAF first flew Cornells in 1940 and retired the last one in 1947.
The more advanced PT-26 was fitted with an enclosed heated cockpit and IF instruments. 1,727 of this type were built in PT-26, PT-26A and PT-26B variants.
Two developments of the Fairchild M-62s appeared in the 1960s. One was the Funk F-23 built at Broken Arrow in Oklahoma and first flown in 1962, and the other was the Weatherly WM62C. An overall total of 7260 were eventually constructed by mid-1944.
Fairchild PT 19 A Cornell Engine : Ranger L-440-C5, 197 hp Length : 27.723 ft / 8.45 m Height : 7.612 ft / 2.32 m Wingspan : 35.991 ft / 10.97 m Wing area : 199.995 sqft / 18.58 sq.m Max take off weight : 2736.4 lbs / 1241.0 kg Weight empty : 2022.0 lbs / 917.0 kg Max. speed : 106 kts / 196 km/h Cruising speed : 88 kts / 163 km/h Service ceiling : 13205 ft / 4025 m Wing load : 13.74 lb/sq.ft / 67.00 kg/sq.m Range : 348 nm / 644 km
PT-23 Engine: Continental R-670-4, 220 hp.
PT-23A Engine: 1 x Continental R-670-4, -5 or-11, 164kW (240hp). Span: 10.97m (36ft ). Length: 7.9m (25ft 11 in) Max TO weight: 1111 kg (2,450 lb) Max speed: 128 mph at sea level. Operational range: 330 miles.
First introduced in 1936, the F-45 was a five-seat cabin monoplane intended as a high-performance personal transport aircraft. Primarily used as an executive aircraft, it was built with a mixed construction that made use of a fabric-covered steel-tube fuselage and a wooden outer wing section.
While the prototype was powered by a 220 hp Jacobs radial engine, subsequent production models received the 370 hp, seven-cylinder Wright Whirlwind radial engine. Many re-engined versions are still in active service powered by 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Juniors and 475 hp Wright Whirlwinds. Original Model 45s were capable of cruising at 164 mph at 75% power and 8,000 feet. Accommodations provided for two at the controls and three on a cross-seat in the back of the cab. A door on each side of the cabin made for easy entry.
Two Model 45-80 Sikanis were built, first flown 1937.
Engine: 370 hp Wright Whirlwind Gross weight: 4,000 lbs Empty weight: 2,474 lbs Fuel capacity: 90US gal Top speed: 170 mph Cruise speed: 164 mph Stall speed: 49 mph Initial climb rate: 1,140 fpm Range: 840 nm Service ceiling: 19,000 ft. Seats: 5
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.
Fairchild 24 C.8C G-AECO – 8 March 1936
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.
UC-61A
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.
1934 Fairchild F 24C-8-C 145hp Warner
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.
Fairchild 24R Argus III
Production of the commercial models F-24W-46 and F-24R-46 was resumed after the war.
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
First flown on 14 June 1946, this type had a large cabin, nine seat, big doors on both sides and a very useful ventral hatch to facilitate lengthy cargo such as building material, pipes, and so forth. Constructed entirely of metal, it could be fitted with floats, skis or wheels. With a gross weight of 6,400 lbs, the prototype was underpowered with its 450 bhp Pratt and Whitney R985. On floats the F-11 weighed 4,200 lbs empty and grossed at 6,400 lbs. Its 54 ¬foot, 9 inch wing had an area of 355 square feet. It cruised at 105 knots and stalled at 51 (flaps 30). On wheels it was 9 knots faster. Only 12 examples were built; the last in 1948. The Husky design was sold to HuskyAircraft Ltd. in 1955. Husky Aircraft was formed in 1955 to reestablish a production line for the Fairchild F-11 Husky. Production models were offered in land or floatplane versions, designated F-11-2 Leonides Husky and F-11-3/4 Super Husky.
F 11 Husky Engine; P & W Wasp Junior R-985 SB 3, 450 hp Wing span: 16,70 m Length: 11,40 m Height: 5,41 m Wing area; 32,98 sq.m Empty weight: 1790/1905 kg MAUW: 2903/2988 kg Wing loading: 88 kg / sq.m Power loading: 6,451 / 6,64 kg / hp Max speed: 222 kph at 670 m Cruise: 195/235 km / h Rate of climb: 206/244 m /min Stall: 93/92 kmh Ceiling: 4300 / 4900 m Range: 240 km / 1240 km (with opt. Fuel)
In the early 1920s Sherman Fairchild designed what he considered to be an ideal aircraft for aerial photography and survey. Tenders for construction of a number of these aircraft was prohibitive so Fairchild acquired premises at Farmingdale, Long Island, to build them ‘in house’. The FC-1 was built in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York, and towed 12 miles by truck to Rooservelt Field, where it first flew.
As first flown in mid-1926, the Fairchild FC-1 was of braced high-wing monoplane configuration, with a wing that could be folded for storage, a braced tail unit, tailskid landing gear and power provided by a 67kW Curtiss OX-5 8-cylinder Vee engine. The fuselage had an enclosed-cabin for a pilot and one or two passengers, and there were ample windows and ports for easy use of cameras. The FC-1 received publicity in 1926’s Ford National Air Tour of the US, flying at an average speed of 90.3 mph. Richard H. Depew flew this first FC-1, carrying Corydon M. Johnson as a passenger. It finished 18th out of a field of 25 aircraft in a tour that began at Ford’s Dearborn Airport near Detroit, Michigan, and covrered 2585 miles.
After extensive testing during 1926, the FC-1 was re-engined with a 149kW Wright J-4 Whirlwind 9-cylinder radial engine, being redesignated FC-1A.
Further tests followed into 1927 and a decision was made to put the aircraft into production for general sales under the designation FC-2. This version differed by having increased cabin volume to seat a pilot plus four passengers, and a Wright J-5 Whirlwind engine (standard) or Curtiss C-6 engine (optional). FC-2s were also available with float or ski landing gear. Fairchild created the six passenger FC-2W 2. One, the Stars and Stripes, was used by Richard Byrd in his 1928 Antarctic Expedition.
FC-2W-2
A total of 56 FC-2s were built over an eight-month period from 1 June 1927.
The FC-2C was the first aircraft to be equipped with brakes and hydraulically operated landing gear.
FC-2 Engine; 1 x Wright J-5 Whirlwind 9-cylinder radial, 149kW / 225 h.p. Take-off weight; 1633 kg / 3600 lb Empty weight; 980 kg / 2161 lb Wingspan; 13.41 m / 43 ft 12 in Length; 9.45 m / 31 ft 0 in Height; 2.74 m / 8 ft 12 in Wing area; 26.94 sq.m / 289.98 sq ft Max. Speed; 196 km/h / 122 mph Cruise speed; 169 km/h / 105 mph Ceiling; 3505 m / 11500 ft Range; 1127 km / 700 miles
FC-1A Engine: Wright J-4, 200 hp Top speed: 120 mph
A mid-wing monoplane of mainly conventional configuration, entirely of steel construction and characterized by the vertical radiators on each side of the 100 hp six-cylinder two-stroke Emerson engine. It was the design of Walter L. Fairchild of Mineola and flew for the first time on May 11, 1911 with Auguste Denis as pilot.
A monoplane built by Walter L. Fairchild with twin tractor propellers chain-driven by a six-cylinder 100-125 hp, two-cycle Emerson engine set on platform on undercarriage. The fuselage was built of steel tubing, lightness and strength achieved by careful use of different sizes and thicknesses of tubes, the strength of each part and portion calculated in detail. All the tubes of the frame where especial strength was thought advisable were stuffed with elm, giving them great strength. It was flown frequently, but crashed in February 1911.
