Origin:
The Fairey Aviation Company

Type:
Three seat light bomber.

Engine:
One 1,030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II vee-12, liquid cooled.

Dimensions:
Span 54ft 0in (16.46m); length 42ft 2in (12.85m); height 15ft 6in (4.72m).

Weight:
Empty 6,647lb (3015kg); loaded 10,792lb (4895kg).

Performance:
Maximum speed 241mph (388kmh); initial climb 920ft (280m)/ min; Service ceiling 25,000ft (7620m): range with bomb load at economical setting 900 miles (1448km).

Armament:
One 0.303in Browning machine gun fixed in the right wing and one 0.303in Vickers K machine gun manually aimed from the rear cockpit. Bomb load up to 1,000lb (454kg) in four cells in the inner wings.

History:
First flown in March 1936, the Battle entered service in June 1937 and was considered at the time to be a very modern and effective machine. It was the first aircraft to go into production with the new Merlin engine and was also well liked by its crews who considered the Battle to be a solid and rugged aircraft. 103 Squadron was equipped with this aircraft in August 1938.

During the Battle of France in 1940, all the Battle squadrons suffered heavy losses and it was clear that the aircraft was extremely vulnerable to flak and fighter attack and lacked adequate performance and proper defensive armament.

Following the withdrawal from France the Battle was withdrawn from frontline service in late 1940. 103 Squadron was re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington in late October 1940.

Further Reading

Any person interested in further information about the Fairey Battle is recommended to read the the outstanding history of this aircraft written by Sidney Shail entitled "The Battle File" and published by Air-Britain Publications of 12, Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, United Kingdom.

A Fairey Battle of 103 Squadron that has crash-landed during the Battle of France is inspected by 2 Germans. The white roundel and fin flashes have been blacked out for night operations. This was one of many Battles lost by 103 Squadron in May and June 1940.

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