The Fairey Spearfish was a prototype dive-bomber which never saw military service. The Spearfish was a large aircraft with an internal weapons bay, and equipped with a remotely-controlled gun turret. Although not specially fast, with a wingspan exceeding 60ft the Spearfish was one of the largest single-engined aircraft designed for carrier operations. The Spearfish was designed to specification O.5/43 as a replacement for the Barracuda dive- bomber. The aircraft was powered by a single Centaurus engine driving a five-bladed propellor. Stores were carried in a bomb-bay and could include a single torpedo or 2,000lb of bombs or mines. Armament comprised two .5in Browning guns in the wings and two more in a remotely controlled dorsal barbette while sixteen RPs could be carried under the wings. ASV radar would be contained in a retractable 'dustbin' aft of the bomb-bay.

The first prototype RA356 flew on 5 July 1945. Five aircraft were completed, of which four  flew, but the end of the war with Japan concluded the programme. Several were used for trials for some years after the war by the CTU.

 Five built.

          Fleet Air Arm history

      Fairey Spearfish
      Total FAA 1939-1945             5 built none in FAA
      First delivered to RN:             1946 for trials
      First squadron 1939-1945:       None
      Operational squadron:             None
      Last served with RN               None

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

 

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