BB Firebrand

[Waynester]

Interesting, the Blackburn Firebrand being this months database aircraft within 'Aeroplane' magazine..

I have read about this aircraft previously & knew some of the difficulties had with this design but...not to the extent they did!

It's funny how some aircraft were just born to be...excellent off the board like the Spitfire (in comparison to the Firebrand at least).
Lots of development potential which was demonstrated throughout the war.

Poor old Firebrand seemed to be an answer to a question nobody was asking or really needed towards the end of it's prototype development.
Handling problems throughout, including after big changes to the
powerplant from the Napier Sabre to the Centaurus radial engine!
It ended up being a poor fighter interceptor & poor divebomber.

In the end only used by the FAA, which
considering it's size, poor visibility for carrier landings thus proven by numerous accidents, & just bad timing
(jet age) all nailed the coffin lid closed for the poor old 'Firebrand' though she went on to serve during the subsequent Korean conflict.

I always have a soft spot for the mongrel of the litter, and this is the same for aircraft...like the Firebrand.

[Eric Mc]

I like these "forgotten" aircraft too. Usually, inability to decide precisely what the aircraft is going to be used for is often an underlying reason why an aircraft becomes a bit of a disaster. Inability to stick with one engine also afflicted designs at this period.

[Simpo Two]

Hmm, depending on the engine it looks like either a Sea Fury with a big tail, or a chunky Spitfire:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&... looks

[Eric Mc]

A lot bigger than either. I suppose the US Navy Douglas Skyraider was the closest equivalent.

[Waynester]

The Firebrand is weighty bird...that's for sure!
With the 'Malcolm hood' it certainly looked like the Spitfire in profile (apart from the tail)...

The aircraft looks to have had potential, but I believe it's 'time' was short lived & the determination to make this difficult aeroplane into a good one was..just not going to happen.
Shame, i'm sure it was impressive to see & fly!