Canadian Fairchild Aircraft Designations

[Apophenia]

Canadian Fairchild Aircraft Designations

There were four, successive designation styles for Fairchild aircraft built in Canada.

1 - Fairchild 'FC' Designations

US 'FC' designations were inherited for initial Canadian production by Canadian Vickers of Montréal (a licence was negotiated in Oct 1927, production began in 1928). The prefix 'FC' stood for 'Fairchild Cabin' and was followed by a model number. The base model FC-2 carried no suffix. Other variants received a suffix indicating engine type -- 'L' was for the Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx, 'W' was for the Pratt & Whitney Wasp.

The Canadian Vickers licence was revoked in 1928 when Fairchild decided to produce its own designs at a plant at Longueuil just outside Montréal , Québec.

2 - Fairchild Aircraft Ltd Numerical Designations

Around 1929, Fairchild Aircraft adopted a new designation system with the Model number signifying the number of seats followed by the model number for that seat count (eg: the Model 82 was the second type of Fairchild 8-seat aircraft).

Note that this designation series also crossed the US-Canada border. The Model 81 was a 1929-1930 prototype built by the parent firm in the US. So, the Model 82 was the 'second' type despite being the first 8-seater actually built by Fairchild Aircraft Ltd.

3 - Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'Bellanca-style' Designations

When Frank Hyde-Beadle left for National Steel Car in 1937, he was replaced as Chief Engineer by Nathan Floyd Vanderlipp from Bellanca. Vanderlipp brought with him Bellanca's odd style of numerical designation -- consisting of 1/10th of wing area and horsepower separated by a hyphen.

4 - Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'X' Designations

'X' for Experimental. Only two 'X' designations are known, both for research projects into tailless flight. According to Molson & Taylor, "result were promising ... but the idea of exploring tailless characteristics was abandoned because of the costs."

5 - Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'F' Designations

'F' for Fairchild. There are only two known Canadian 'F' series designations. These are the F-11 Husky and the F-8, an unbuilt project for an RCAF navigation trainer. In the case of the F-11 Husky, sub-type suffix numbers were added after a hyphen. Since Fairchild produced only F-11-1 models, this sub-type style may have been added later to cover non-Fairchild engine change modification programmes, proposed new-production F-11s, etc.

Attempting to fill in the substantial gaps in the 'F' series designations would be pure guesswork. Potential candidates would be the licenced Bristol 149 Bolingbroke, SBF Helldivers, unbuilt 'X' series aircraft, unrealized post-war Model 82 production, etc.

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Printed Sources:

Canadian Aircraft Since 1909, Ken M. Molson and Harold A. Taylor, Canada's Wings, Stittsville, ON, 1982, ISBN 0-920002-11-0, pp 29, 34-36, 305-326, 496-498, 513-514

Aviation in Canada, Larry Milberry, McGraw-Hill-Ryerson, Toronto, ON, 1979, ISBN 0-07-082778-8, pp 82, 102, 105, 110

Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924-1984, Larry Milberry (Ed.), CANAV Books, Toronto, ON, 1986, ISBN 0-9690703-4-9, pp 32-33, 38, 42
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[Apophenia]

Fairchild 'FC' Aircraft Designations

Fairchild FC-2 - 1928 high-winged utility, span 13.40 m
- FC-2 : 1 x 220 hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind, x 12
-- Reproduction: http://www.cahc-ccpa.com/faichildfc2.html
- FC-2L : 1 x 215 hp Armstrong-Siddeley Lynx G, x 3*
-- *3 x FC-2 conv. for RCAF, all reconverted to FC-2
- FC-2W: [Project] Longer-span, Wasp-powered deriv.**
-- ** Canadian Vickers lost licence, production abandoned
-- NB: FC-2Ws used in Canada were US-built aircraft***
-- *** RCAF may have sometimes used 'FC-2W' for FC-2
- FC-2W1 - Canadian-only desig. for FC-2W [??]
-- NB: FC-2W1 c/n 28 (G-CAIP) is a gap in CV FC-2 c/ns

NB: Early production FC-2s (prob. the first five) had three fuselage longerons (resulting in their 'Razorback' nickname). Later production FC-2s had four fuselage longerons (and many earlier airframes were modified to this configuration) but no designation changes resulted.

One US-built FC-2 was converted to FC-2L by Canadian Vickers, two FC-2s were converted by Ottawa Car Co (1 x US, 1 x Cdn).

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Fairchild Aircraft Ltd Numerical Designations

Fairchild 51 - 1930 higher-powered vers. of 4-longeron FC-2
- Model 51 : 1 x 300 hp Wright J-5 Whirlwind, mainly FC-2 conv.
- Model 51A: 1 x 300 hp P&W Wasp Junior A, FC-2 and Model 51 conv.
-- http://www.canadianwings.com/Aircraft/aircraftDetail.php?51-116

Fairchild 51/71 - 1934 hybrid with 51 wings on a 71 fuselage, x 1*
- Model 51/71: [March 1934 proposal] Model 71 tail, 300 hp Wasp Jr A
- Model 51/71: [Aug 1934 proposal] Model 51 tail, Wasp Jr or J-6
- Model 51/71: [As built] 71C cowl, 71CM windscreen, Wasp Jr T1B
-- * c/n 28 CF-AWP, CF-BVY was a later 51/71 conv. by Austin Airways

Fairchild 71 - 1930 enlarged, 7-seat Model 51, x 21 (all Marks)
- Model 71 : [Project] originally planned prod'n of US FC-2W-2
- Model 71A : [??] none listed
- Model 71B : Orig. for RCAF, 1 x 420 hp P&W Wasp C, x 8
-- Compared to FC-2W-2, simplified fuselage fairings
-- 3-view: http://www.internetmodeler.com/2004/april/first-looks/KKAP_F71-3.jpg
- Model 71C : Strengthened, 1 x 420 hp P&W Wasp B or C, x 12*
-- * Production total includes 2 x 71B conv. (c/n 4/767 & c/n 8)
- Model 71CM: Aluminum-clad fuselage, revised cockpit glazing, x 1

NB: There was no relationship between the similarly-designated US Model 71 (a proposed ambulance derivative) and the Canadian Model 71. The improved Model 71C was designed by Chief Engineer F. Percy Hyde-Beadle.

Fairchild Super 71 - Parasol utility with monocoque fuselage, x 3
- Super 71 : Model 71 deriv., rear cockpit, x 1 (c/n 50, CF-AUJ)
- Super 71 : 1 x 525 hp P&W Wasp T1D1 radial, span 17.67 m
-- http://wcam.mb.ca/3519/only-floats-or-skis-for-this-unique-canadian-built-aircraft-2/
-- 3-view: http://i914.photobucket.com/albums/ac346/TASSE_2009/img936.jpg
- Super 71P: Forward cockpit vers. for RCAF photographic flight x 2*
-- * Super 71Ps were: c/n 51 RCAF 665 and c/n 52 RCAF 666
-- http://www.canadianwings.com/Aircraft/aircraftDetail.php?Super-71-120

The Super 71 was designed by Chief Engineer F. Percy Hyde-Beadle.

Fairchild 81: Some sources claim this was a Canadian design. This is in error. Molson and Taylor note a 1929-1930 8-seat transport produced as a single prototype in the US. This prototype Model 81 was powered by either a 575 hp Pratt & Whitney Hornet or Armstrong-Siddeley Jaguar. Mention of an Armstrong Siddeley powerplant may be the source of the misunderstanding. It may also suggest that the parent firm saw the RCAF as potential future user for the Model 81.

Fairchild 82: 1935 enlarged 8-seat (2 +6) utility a/c, span 15.54 m
- Model 82 : [Project] 1 x 420 hp P&W Wasp C1, none built
- Model 82A: Production vers., various Wasp models,* x 12
-- * 450 hp Wasp SC-1, 525 hp Wasp T1D1, or 550 hp Wasp S1D1
-- Photo of Model 82A in 1962 (note that Model 82s operated with and without cowlings): http://www.mcneillifestories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/e2acd849d365015ef08ef5b696dc9e31.jpg
- Model 82B: 600 hp Wasp S3H1 or 600 hp Wasp S2H1, x 8
- Model 82C: [Project] 420 hp Wright R-975-E-3, none built
- Model 82D: As for Model 82B except enlarged fin & rudder, x 4**
-- ** Total includes conv. to 82D standard of Model 34-42 Niska
-- Preserved 82D: http://www.abpic.co.uk/images/images/1158963M.jpg

The Model 82 was designed by Chief Engineer F. Percy Hyde-Beadle.

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During WWII, 1,655 PT-26A and PT-26B Cornells were built in Canada -- all by Fleet. By this time, all connection between Fairchild Aircraft Ltd and the parent US company had been severed.

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[Apophenia]

Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'Bellanca-style' Designations

NB: All aircraft in this sequence designed by Chief Engineer N. F. Vanderlipp.

Fairchild 34-42 Niska - 1937 Model 82 experimental variant, x 1*
- Model 34-42: 1 x 420 hp Ranger SVG-770-A-3 IV-12, c/n 64 CF-AXO
-- * Model 34-42 conv. into Model 82D (only one to stay in Canada)

Fairchild 40-50 - [Project] 193?, scaled-down Model 45-80 Sekani
- Model 40-50: 2 x 250 hp Fairchild V-770 (predec. to Ranger V-770)

Fairchild 40-60 - [Project] 193?, as 40-50, 2 x 300 hp Ranger V-770s
- Model 40-68: Engines are unsupercharged vers. of SGV-770C

Fairchild 40-68 - [Project] 193?, as 40-60, 2 x 340 hp Ranger GV-770s
- Model 40-68: Engines are unsupercharged vers. of SGV-770C

Fairchild 45-55 - [Project] 1939 [??] single-engined Sekani deriv.
- Model 45-55: 1 x 550 hp geared P&W Wasp S3H1-G (R-1340)
-- http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24074.msg245328.html

Fairchild 45-65 - [Project] Nahanni, 193?, single-engined Sekani
- Model 45-65: 1 x 650 hp geared P&W Wasp (S1H5-G or S1H6-G)*
-- * NB: Neither of these proposed geared Wasps were ever built

Fairchild 45-80 Sekani - 1937 twin-engined sesquiplane utility a/c
- Model 45-80: 2 x 400 hp P&W Wasp Junior SB, span 17.37m x 2*
-- * 2 x prototypes built, c/n 101 (CF-BHB) & c/n 102 (CF-BHE)

Fairchild 45-84 - [Project] 193?, more powerful Sekani deriv.
- Model 45-84: Sekani powered by 2 x 420 hp Ranger 'GSV-770'*
-- * Almost certainly a typo, referring to the Ranger SGV-770C-1

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Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'X' Designations

Fairchild X-1 - [Project] 1943 tailless design, 90 hp HO-2 engine
- X-1: Span 9.75 m, sweep-back 13° (at 50% chord), area 15.23 m2
-- 1/6 wind tunnel model of X-1 built for Jan 1944 NRC* trials
-- * NRC = National Research Council of Canada

Fairchild X-2 - [Project] 1944 tailless design, 130 hp DH Gipsy Major
- X-2: Span 10.06 m, sweep-back 29° 15' (constant), area 16.40 m2
-- 1/6 wind tunnel model of X-1 built for June 1944 NRC trials

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Fairchild Aircraft Ltd 'F' Designations

Fairchild F-8 - [Project] 1945 twin-engined navigation trainer
- Model F-8: High-winged monoplane, mock-up built, cancelled
-- 2 x 1,200 hp P&W R-1830, span 23.72 m, area 56.2 m2

Fairchild F-11 Husky - Single-engined STOL utility transport
- F-11 Husky : [As proposed] Tricycle undercarriage or cantilever float struts
- F-11-1 Husky : 450 hp P&W R-985-AN-14B Wasp Junior radial
- F-11-2 Husky : 550 hp Alvis Leonides radial, x 6 (c/n 8 conv. to F-11-1)
- F-11-3 Husky : [Project] 625 hp Alvis Leonides 531/8 (not built).
- F-11-4 Husky : [Project] 600 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340 S1H1-G (not built).
- F-11-5 Husky : [Project] 725 hp Pratt & Whitney PT6A-27 (not built).

NB: Husky sub-type designations are almost certainly being applied retroactively. Just as one example, the PT6A turboprop did not exist until years after Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. had gone bankrupt. That 'F-11-5' designations would have been applied to the 'Turbo Husky' conversion proposed by Vazar Aerospace (with 750 shp PT6A-135).
http://web.archive.org/web/20121022025056/http://vazar.com/fairchild-husky-aircraft-project.html

The F-11-2 conversions were performed in the mid-1950s by Vancouver Aircraft Sales for the new rights owner, Husky Aircraft, Ltd. Husky Aircraft intended to build new F-11-2s on Sea Island but this never happened.
-- http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%200987.html

Other potential developers (193 km/h) made attempts to revive the Husky project. These included an early PT6 conversion concept, "a stretched fuselage and tricycle
landing gear. Saunders Aircraft of Gimli, Manitoba had plans to build five complete sets of Husky components but this venture failed when one of the partners pulled out of the
project."

British Columbia Forestry News Letter, No. 54, April 1999
'Fairchild Husky - The "Made in BC" Waterbomber,' by Dirk Septer
-- http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/Library/Forest_History_Newsletter/54.pdf

 

[Stargazer]

Great work as usual, Apophenia, thanks!

However, allo me to make a couple of corrections here:

- You wrote "Bellance" instead of Bellanca twice in your posts.
- The FC-2 was NOT the first FC- designated aircraft. The FC-2 designation appeared with c/n 3. However, c/n 1 (and possibly c/n 2) carried the designation FC-1/FC-1A.

I'll go through your lists in a little more detail to see if there's anything else, but so far the rest seems perfect!

 

[Stargazer]

Insofar as I know, here is what I know about the Canadian Fairchild constructor's numbers:

• FC-1 / FC-2 / Model 51: c/n 1 up (#172 being last known)
  FC-1, FC-1A: c/n 1 (perhaps also c/n 2)
  FC-2C: c/n 3, 6, 57, 58, 87, 89
  FC-2L: c/n unknown
  FC-2W: c/n 28, 50, 72, 78, 80, 86
• FC-2W2: c/n 500 up (512 to 536 known) though a few examples can be found in the first series (c/n 128, 132, 136, 138, 140, 142)
• Model 71, 71-A: c/n 600 up (at least up to 684) — for some reason, one Model 71-A received non-sequential c/n 3501.
• Model 72: c/n 700 up (700 and 701 only)

A FEW NOTES AND ADDITIONAL REMARKS:

- The Sekani started a new c/n 100+ series with only c/n 101 and 102 (no c/n 100 for some unknown reason).
- The Model 65 was a development of Model FC-2W or J2Q for Brazilian Navy (apparently only one built, c/n unknown).
- The Model 72 was a development of Model 65 for Brazilian Navy (only 2 built).
- The FC-1 was powered by a 90hp Curtiss OX-5 engine, and when refitted with a 200hp Wright J-4 it was redesignated FC-1A.
- Production of Fairchild of Canada also included the Bristol Bolingbroke and the Curtiss SBF Helldiver.
- The Model 71-E designation applied to the U.S.A.A.C. order as XC-8 and XF-1.
- The suffix letters in the 71 and 82 were apparently separated by a hyphen (71-A, 82-D, etc.) but it doesn't appear so in all sources.

- I also have the Model 40-65 Nahanni, with one Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine.

 

[Stargazer]

Unidentified versions I have in my lists:

Model 51R one conversion (c/n 157)
Model 61 version of Model FC-2W, no data
Model Super 61 no data
Model 71-E designation for U.S.A.A.C. order as XC-8 and XF-1 with 410hp Pratt & Whitney
Model 71 Special no data

 

[memaerobilia]

Where do the Helldivers fit in?
Fairchild Aircraft Ltd, Canada, produced 300 Helldivers (under the designations XSBF-l, SBF-l, SBF-3 and SBF-4E

 

[Stargazer]

Where do the Helldivers fit in?
Fairchild Aircraft Ltd, Canada, produced 300 Helldivers (under the designations XSBF-l, SBF-l, SBF-3 and SBF-4E

I mentioned them in passing in my reply's notes, two posts above...

 

[Apophenia]

Skyblazer: Apologies for the typos. I always do that with Bellanca ;p

And thanks too for reminding me of the Nahanni project (not quite sure how I lost that one). I've added the Nahanni now but as the 45-65 (as per Molson & Taylor) not the '40-65'.

Many of the other models listed were, of course, US-built Fairchilds. Eg:

FC-1/FC-1A - US prototype/prototype conversion, never flew in Canada

Model 61 - US 6-seat development on FC-2W. I presume that the Model Super 61 is a further development -- although the Canadian Super 71 shows how far 'development' could stretch!

Likewise the FC-2C (Curtiss Challenger engine); Model 51R (or 51-R?); Model 65; Model 71-A, 71-E, 71 Special; and Model 72 were all US developments.

Known Canadian construction numbers follow (from Molson and Taylor):

FC-2 (Canadian Vickers construction): CV 83 (RCAF 626, conv. to Model 51A, Jan 1931), CV 84 (RCAF 614, conv. to FC-2L, June 1930), CV 85 (G-CYXT), CV 86 (RCAF 620, conv. to Model 51, June 1930, then to '51A), CV 87 (unregistered, shipped as spares), CV 88 (G-CATR), *, CV 102
(G-CATS, conv. to Model 51, May 1933), CV 103 (G-CATT), CV 104 (G-CATU, conv. to Model 51, Aug 1930), CV 105 (G-CATV),

* Some CV gaps can be filled: CV 90-93 and CV 98-101 (Vedette IIs and Vs). Unaccounted for are: CV 89 and CV 94-97. The following CV 106 is also missing (CV 107 was a Vancouver I, CV108 was the HS-3L Canadian Carrier.

Model 71B : c/n 1/764, 2/765, 3/766, 4/767, 5, 6, 7, 8 (conv. to 71C, Feb 1944)

Model 71C : c/n 10, 14, 17, 21, 26-27, 29-33, 68

Model 71CM: c/n 18

Super 71 : c/n 50 (Super 71), 51-52 (Super 71P)

Model 82A : c/n 35-42, 44, 48, 60-61

Model 82B : c/n 43, 45-47, 49, 62-63, 65

Model 82D : c/n 64-67, 69

Model 34-42: c/n 64 (conv. to Model 82D, above)

Model 45-80: c/n 101-102

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[Apophenia]

Fairchild Model 45-55 added

http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,24074.msg245328.html

 

[joncarrfarrelly]

One note on engine nomenclature Apo on the 45-55.

It would be R-1340/Wasp S3H1-G or Wasp S3H1-G(R-1340)

 

[Apophenia]

Thanks for the Wasp correction Jon