SAAM South Australian Aviation Museum. Pt Adelaide

SAAM - Restoration of Fairey Battle

It may not look like much but these components represent the most complete set of parts to restore a Fairy Battle in Australia.

We do have some damaged wings and other components in our store. These together with more parts coming from the U.K. make this a viable restoration project. When completed it will be the ONLY Fairey Battle in Australia and one of only 4 in the world.

Fairey Battle flew from Pt. Pirie during WWII as training aircraft. This aircraft was found in a tidal swamp following a forced landing. It lay there for many years before being recovered.

CAN YOU HELP?

We need experienced metal workers and parts. If you know of any possible source of Fairey Battle parts please let the Museum know. If you have any metal working skills and would enjoy a challenge again please let us know.

Our first aim is to restore the fuselage and put the aircraft back on its wheels.

INFORMATION

The Fairey "Battle" 1 aircraft fitted with Rolls-Royce "Merlin" F engine. 1035HP @ 5000 metres.

TYPE: Two/three-seat light day bomber.

POWERPLANT: One 1,030hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II 12-cylinder Vee liquid-cooled engine driving De Havilland three-blade variable-pitch propeller.

PERFOMANCE: Max speed, 252mph at 15,000ft. Cruise, 200 mph at 15,000ft Climb to 15,000ft 16.2min. Service ceiling, 25,000ft.

RANGE: at 200mph, 1,065 miles.

WEIGHTS: Empty, 6,647lb. Loaded 10,792lb.

DIMENSIONS: Span, 54ft. Length, 42ft 5in Height, 15ft 6in. Wing area 422sq ft

ARMAMENT: One fixed forward-firing .303-in Browning machine-gun in Starboard wing; one .303-in Vickers 'K' gun on a pillar mounting rear cockpit. Bomb load, up to 1,000lb bombs in four wing root cell, plus up to 500lb bombs on external racks beneath wings.

REMARKS: These performance are guaranteed subject to a tolerance of 3% for speed and 5% for all other figures.