The Fairey Seafox was a pre-war maritime floatplane version of the biplane Fairey Fox which first flew on 3 January, 1923.  It was designed to meet specification S.11/32 for a spotting and reconnaissance aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm. Production ended in 1938, and the Seafox served in front-line service as catapult launched floatplanes on crusiers and battleships until 1942, when it was replaced by the Fairey Swordfish, Vought Kingfisher and Supermarine Walrus.

Two prototype Seafoxes were built by Fairey at Hamble under Contract No. 333000/34 to spec S.11/32. They were on charge in September 1939 and had an unusual design that had an open cockpit for the pilot, but an enclosed canopy for the observer. The first flight was on 27 May 1936, and a contract awarded in January 1936 for 49 aircraft, with 15 more being awarded in September 1936. Sea trials were carried out aboard HMS Neptune off Gibraltar.

By the beginning of the War in September 1939, the Fleet Air Arm had on charge the 2 prototypes and 49 Mk I  Seafoxes, the first, K8579, of which reached 754 squadron in October 1939. These were distributed on the following capital ships and to 773 squadron at Bermuda:
 

Orion (700, 718 squadrons), Pretoria castle (702 squadron), Ajax (718 squadron), Arethusa (713 squadron), Penelope (713 squadron), Asturias (702 squadron), Alcantara (702 squadron), and HMS Emerald (700 squadron).

The aircraft was quickly relegated and a few Seafoxes lingered in a training role until it finally left the service of the Royal Navy in July 1943. The very last Seafox, K8607, saw service in the Royal Navy with 753 squadron at Lee on Solent in July 1945.

A total of 66 Seafox catapult-launched versions had been built, and 311 Foxes built by the end of its production in 1943.

The Seafox and Fox saw service with the Fleet Air Arm, air forces of Belgium, Peru and Switzerland. The Seafox also saw service with the ships in Royal Australian Navy Service (Modified Leander Class) including HMAS Perth, HMAS Sydney and HMAS Hobart, after which they were replaced by the Fairey Swordfish.

Versions
        "Fox" I : first production version
        "Fox" IA : upgraded Rolls-Royce"Kestrel" engine, first flight 29 August, 1924
        "Fox" II : "Kestrel" IIS engine, built under license in Belgium by SABCA, 43 built
        "Fox" III : upgraded version, 13 built in Belgium
        "Fox" IIIC : upgraded "Fox" II, 48 built in Belgium
        "Fox" IIIS : trainer, four built in Belgium
        "Fox" IV : equipped with floats instead of wheels, six built for Peru
        "Fox" V : experimental "Fox" II with Hispano Suiza 12Ybrs engine
        "Fox" VI : two-seat reconnaisance aircraft and fighter, 85 built by Avions-Fairey in Belgium, two with closed cockpits built for
                       Switzerland, later used as trainers
        "Fox" VII : upgraded fighter version of "Fox" VI, two built in Belgium
        "Fox" VIII : upgraded "Fox" VI, 12 built in Belgium
        "Seafox" : catapult-launched version, 66 built

Fleet Air Arm history
        Fairey Seafox
        Total FAA 1939-1945:      51 (66 in total)
        First delivered to RN:        1937
        First squadron 1939-1945:  Pre-War. With 754 sqdn 10.1939
        Operational squadron:         None
        Last served with RN           7.1945

Prototypes

2 built by Fairey at Hamble under Contract No. 333000/34 to spec S.11/32 and on charge 9.1939

Prdtn Mk I first 49 built under Contract No 471996/35 to spec 40/35 on charge 9.39

First to RN: to Admiralty 2.40  (K8570)
First sqdn: 10.39 754 sqdn (K8579)
Last: 7.45 753 Lee on Solent (K8607)

Created 3-4-1999, Modified 3-4-2000

 

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