Fairey Battle

**gray** · 25 August 2021, 09:51 PM

Just completed a drawing of the Fairey Battle a British single-engine light bomber. It was developed during the mid-1930s for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a monoplane successor to the Hawker Hart and Hind biplanes. Powered by Rolls-Royce Merlin The Battle had a three-man crew and bomb load. The Battle was relatively slow and limited in range. With only two .303 (7.7 mm) machine guns as defensive armament, it was found to be highly vulnerable to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire.

The Fairey Battle was used on operations early in the Second World War. In 1940, the Battles of the Advanced Air Striking Force suffered many losses, frequently in excess of 50 per cent of aircraft, withdrawn from service at the end of 1940.

**gwpriester** · 26 August 2021, 12:56 AM

Love the translucent clouds. And always love the history lesson.

**Egg Bramhill** · 26 August 2021, 01:45 AM

As always a stunning rendering Gray. I particularly like the cockpit shadow on the wing.

One point, you state it had a 3 man crew but I can only see a pilot and rear gunner in your drawing?

**gray** · 26 August 2021, 04:14 AM

Thanks Gary, Egg.
Egg the bomb aimer lay on his belly in the fuselage. I had the same question when I first saw it.

**Egg Bramhill** · 26 August 2021, 04:29 AM

Thanks Gray, that was one thing I'd thought about as well. It must have been impossible to remain on your stomach for a complete flight so I can only assume he had access to the cockpit too???

**gray** · 26 August 2021, 05:23 AM

The cockpit was single seat Egg. These were quite large planes, so I think he would have room in the fuselage to sit up. Not much hope in getting out if the plane had trouble though. They were a tough generation.

**Boy** · 26 August 2021, 08:32 AM

Gorgeous and ominous.

**wizard509** · 26 August 2021, 04:58 PM

Love it gray the image and your description

**Egg Bramhill** · 26 August 2021, 06:58 PM

HERE'S a link to one that appears to have the persumably Observer / Navigator in a more comfortable position Gray

**gray** · 26 August 2021, 11:15 PM

Thanks Boy, Larry.
Egg I've never seen a drawn profile showing a head sticking through the fuselage. I've never seen an opening in any ref material, so I'm a little confused by that.
Here's a cutaway showing the amount of room in the fuselage.