It is always nice to get a chance to read a book from a publisher that is new to me. So it is with this first effort from Key Publishing in concert with Flypast magazine. It is the history of a late war FAA reconnaissance fighter, the Fairey Firefly. The type was to replace the Fulmar on British aircraft carriers. The FAA basically wanted a multipurpose aircraft that could act like a figher, recon aircraft and even a light bomber. However, when you mix the various types of mission in one airplane, something always suffers. In this case, the inclusion of the second crewman meant a larger aircraft and one that was heavier as well. As such, it really wasn't that great of a fighter.

This was exacerbated by the fact that by the time it was ready for service, the FAA already had a couple of great fighter-bombers in service, specifically the Hellcat and Corsair. Still, the type proved to be useful in the reconnaissance role due to the lack of air opposition, was able to perform this and light strike missions effectively. It also was able to operate as a night fighter with the addition of a radar pod, the operator being the back seater.

Post war it was upgraded, used by various non-UK forces (such as Canada, Australia, and Netherlands) as well as some other nations. During Korea it proved itself effective in the light strike role alongside the Sea Fury. In addition to operational FAA units, it was used in secondary roles such as target towing. In this role, several were sold to Sweden and it is from there that most of the extant airframes were sourced when retired.

In this book, the author covers the development, deployment and difference in the variants. There is also a small details section as well as one on surviving airframes. All the photos are in black and white and there are a considerable number of them. One could easily consider this a photo history as much as an actual history of the type. It is well done and informative, which is what I think most people are looking for. As such, the book is very much recommended to you.

February 2022

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