Blackburn: Firebrand
From Graces Guide
Note: This is a sub-section of Blackburn Aeroplane and Motor Co
Type
- Strike Fighter.
Designer
Manufacturers
Number produced
- 220
Engines
- 1 x Bristol Engine Co: Centaurus IX 18-cylinder radial engine, 2,520 hp (1,880 kW).
The Blackburn Firebrand was a single-engine strike fighter for the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy designed during World War II by Blackburn Aircraft. Development was slow and the first production aircraft was not delivered until after the end of the war. Only a few hundred were built before it was withdrawn from front-line service in 1953.
Variants
Blackburn B-37
- Three prototypes ordered to meet Specification N.11/40, named Firebrand on 11 July 1941. Second prototype re-built as T.F. II prototype.
Firebrand F. I
- Production variant of the Blackburn B.37 with an order for 50 aircraft to be built at Brough, most completed as T.F. II and T.F. III variants, first nine completed as F. Is.
Firebrand T.F. II
- Improved variant, 12 built from original production branch.
Firebrand T.F. III
- Blackburn B-45, a Centarus VII powered-variant, two prototypes to S.8/43 and 27 production aircraft for original production batch.
Firebrand T.F. IV
- Blackburn B-46, improved variant with 2,520 bhp Centaurus IX or Centaurus 57, 250 ordered, but only 170 were completed, of which 124 were converted to T.F. 5 standard, some before delivery. Six were modified and designated as T.F. IV(mod).
Firebrand T.F. 5
- Improved variant, 124 modified from T.F. IV, two conversions to T.F. 5A.
Firebrand T.F. 5A
- One prototype modified from a T.F. 5 and six conversions from either T.F. IV or Vs.
See Also
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Sources of Information