| Fairey N.4 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fairey N.4 | |
| Role | Long-range reconnaissance flying-boat Type of aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation Company |
| First flight | 4 July 1923 |
| Number built | 3 |
TheFairey N.4 was a 1920sBritish five-seat long range reconnaissance flying boat. Designed and built by theFairey Aviation Company to meet anAdmiralty requirement for a very large four-engined reconnaissance aircraft, it was the world's biggest flying boat when it first flew in 1923.[1]
Following an increase in experience with flying boats in 1917 the Admiralty issuedSpecification N.4.[1] The specification called for a four-engined long-range reconnaissance flying boat.[1] The Admiralty ordered two aircraft from Fairey and one fromPhoenix Dynamo Manufacturing Company.[1] Fairey sub-contracted the building of the second toDick, Kerr & Co. ofLytham St. Annes.
Not unusual for the era, the design was a biplane, with the engines mounted as two push-pull pairs between the upper and lower wing, each driving a four-bladed propeller.
The first N.4 (namedAtalanta) was that assembled by Phoenix Dynamo with a hull designed byCharles Nicholson, built by theGosport Aircraft Company[2] was also transported to the Isle of Grain, but never flown and scrapped as the service lost interest in large flying boats.[1][3] During April 1919 when the hull was complete,Flight reported the aircraft would be even larger than theFelixstowe Fury.[2]
The second N.4 (also namedAtalanta) completed in 1921, first flew on 4 July 1923 powered by four 650 hp (485 kW)Rolls-Royce Condor IA piston engines.[1] The hull built inHythe byMay, Harden & May and delivered to Lytham St. Annes for assembly. The complete aircraft was then dismantled, taken by road to theIsle of Grain and stored before for its first flight.[1][3]
The third N.4 Mk.II (namedTitania) included improvements and later variant Condor III engines.[1] The hull designed byLinton Hope, built on theClyde by yacht builders Fyffes and delivered to The Fairey Aviation Company atHamble, Southampton for assembly and transport to the Isle of Grain.Titania was not flown straight away and stored, first flying on 24 July 1925.[1][3]
Data from[1]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
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