Fairchild 71 | |
---|---|
Fairchild 71 in RCAF colours | |
Role | passenger or cargo transport
Type of aircraft
|
Manufacturer | Fairchild Aircraft Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) |
First flight | 1926 |
Developed into | Fairchild Super 71 |
The Fairchild 71 was an American high-wing monoplane passenger and cargo aircraft built by Fairchild Aircraft and later built in CanadabyFairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) for both military and civilian use as a rugged bush plane.
The Fairchild Aircraft Company undertook a progressive development of the Fairchild FC-2W2 light transport. Its first improvement was the FC-2, whose several improvements included slightly swept-back wings; wingspan increased to 50 feet; engine power nearly doubled; and interior changes to improve passenger comfort.
The FC-2 first flew in 1926.
The FC-2W was a further development, featuring:
The FC-2 and FC-2W continued the use of fabric-covered welded steel tubing for fuselage and empennage construction, and strut-braced wooden-structure fabric-covered wings.
The FC-2W, later known as the Model 71, was built in the United States between 1928 and 1930. In 1929 Fairchild formed a company in Canada (Fairchild Aircraft Limited) at Longueuil, Quebec in 1929 to support the Canadian operators of Fairchild aircraft. The Canadian company also set up a factory production line for the Model 71, developing a variant for the Canadian military. The Canadian-built aircraft differed from the US version in that all the passenger-comfort features were removed, and the craft were built specifically for aerial photography.[1]
The United States Army Air Service acquired one Model 71 for evaluation; it was designated XC-8, later redesignated XF-1 and used for photographic work.[2]
Eight more service-test aircraft, designated YF-1 were ordered; all nine were later redesignated C-8.[2]
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), another major military operator, evaluated the Fairchild 71 in mid-June 1930. Thirty four RCAF F-71s were operated from 1930 to 1946. Along with the earlier FC-2 series, the RCAF F-71 was utilized primarily in the aerial photographic survey role as well as northern transport. In November 1934, the RCAF transferred the FC-71s to the five detachments flying in the amalgamated Maritimes No. 5 (Flying Boat) Squadron at RCAF Station Dartmouth. The squadron flew the FC-71 extensively on anti-smuggling (rum running) and illegal immigration patrols for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).[1]
Most of the Model 71 production ended up in the hands of bush plane operators in Canada and the United States. Civilian operators likewise found the 71 a rugged, reliable and highly useful utility transport, well suited for northern and remote operations.
Data from Canadian Aircraft Since 1909[6]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
Fairchild aircraft
| |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Manufacturer designations |
| ||||||||||
By role |
| ||||||||||
Fairchild (Canada) |
| ||||||||||
Fairchild-Dornier |
| ||||||||||
Fairchild Hiller |
| ||||||||||
Fairchild Republic |
| ||||||||||
Fairchild Swearingen |
| ||||||||||
American Helicopter |
| ||||||||||
|
Certified/factory-built aircraft manufactured in Canada
| |
---|---|
Airbus Canada |
|
Avian Industries |
|
Avro Canada |
|
Bell Textron |
|
Boeing Aircraft of Canada |
|
Bombardier |
|
Bristol/McDonald Brothers |
|
Canadair |
|
Canadian Aerodrome Company |
|
Canadian Aeroplanes/ Toronto Curtiss Aeroplanes |
|
Canadian Associated Aircraft |
|
Canadian Car and Foundry |
|
Canadian Vickers |
|
Cub Aircraft |
|
de Havilland Canada |
|
Diamond Aircraft |
|
Fairchild |
|
Federal Aircraft |
|
Fleet |
|
Found |
|
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm |
|
National Research Council |
|
National Steel Car |
|
Noorduyn |
|
Ontario Provincial Air Service |
|
Ottawa Car and Aircraft |
|
Reid/Curtiss-Reid |
|
Saunders |
|
Victory Aircraft |
|
Viking Air |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
T-series (pre–1931) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
R-series (1931–1962) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
United States military reconnaissance aircraft designations, Army/Air Force and 1962 Tri-Service systems
| |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Army/Air Force main sequence (1930-1962) |
| ||||
Reconnaissance/Strike sequence (1960-1962) |
| ||||
Strategic Reconnaissance sequence (1964-present) |
| ||||
Tri-service main sequence (1962-present) |
| ||||
Reconnaissance subtypes |
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Utility (J) (1935–1955) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utility transport (JR) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Utility (U) (1955–1962) |
|