FAIREY FIREFLY The Operational Record - book by W Harrison

Some wear to cover\n\nFrom the cover: \u201CIn March 1939 the Air Ministry proposed requirements for a two-seater fixed-cannon fighter for the Fleet Air Arm.\n\nThe result of this request was the Fairey Firefly, a naval aircraft which, operating from carriers during WWII, proved more than capable of holding its own against single-seat fighters; during comparative dogfight trials the Firefly out-turned all conventional fighters, including the much-vaunted Japanese Zero.\n\nIn 1944 the type was heavily involved in the Allies\u2019 increasingly desperate attempts to destroy the mighty German battleship Tirpitz as she lay at anchor awaiting repairs in a Norwegian fjord. Firefly pilots also flew the aircraft as a carrier-based night fighter against Focke-Wulf Condors shadowing Allied convoys and Heinkel IIIs intent on air-launching V-l Flying Bombs against English targets.\n\nThe Firefly went on to operate against the Japanese Fleet and Home Islands, finishing the war by locating PoW camp.