Operational History
Production of the Flycatcher began at Fairey's Hayes factory in 1923, entering service with No. 402 Flight Fleet Air Arm. The Flycatcher was flown from all the British carriers of its era. Some 192 were produced. A typical deployment was on the aircraft carrier HMS Courageous, where 16 Flycatchers would serve alongside 16 Blackburn Ripons and 16 reconnaissance aircraft.
Very popular with pilots, the Flycatchers were easy to fly and very manoeuvrable. It was in them that the Fleet Air Arm developed the combat tactics used in the Second World War.
The Flycatcher saw service with the Home, Mediterranean, East Indies and China fleets.
During its service on the China station, the Flycatcher was active against Chinese pirates in the waters near Hong Kong.
Read more about this topic: Fairey Flycatcher
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