Between 1951 and 1955 the Thai Navy (then the RTAF) procured 10 Fairey F.Mk.1 and 2 Mk.2 Firefly. Locally designated as Attacker Type 4. The aircraft on display at this Museum was the former RAN MB401

On display at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Designed by H.E. "Charlie" Chaplin, the robust Firefly went on to be produced in numbers, with 1,702 built across all variants. To either side of the radiator scoop are ducts for airflow to the carburettor for the 1,735 h.p. Griffon. Visible is the wide wheel track that gave good stability for carrier decks. This ex-FAA MB410 Firefly was meant for the Royal Thai Navy in 1950, but RTAF took up the order and operated ten Mk. 1 and two T.2 trainers from 1951-59.

One of 14 Fireflies sent to the insurgent East Indies with the aircraft carrier Karel Doorman (I) in 1946. Photo from: Leiden University Libraries

The Fairey Firefly was a Second World War-era carrier-borne fighter aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft principally operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). It was developed and built by the British aircraft manufacturer Fairey Aviation Company (former RAN MB401).

This Firefly was built in Hanworth, England in 1945 and TOC by No. 825 Squadron, RCN in Nov. 1946. The following year it was transferred to No. 826 Squadron and served for the next two years in Nova Scotia and Manitoba, as well as on HMCS Warrior and HMCS Magnificent before storage and being sold to the Ethiopian AF in 1954. It was rescued from open storage at Asmara, Eritrea in 1993 and now resides in the Reserve Collection of the Canada Aviation Museum.

A pre-delivery line-up of Ethiopian Fireflies at Manchester Ringway during hand-over to their Air Force pilots. Right is FR.1 601 ex FAA MB434; middle is FR.1 602 ex MB476; left is Firefly T.2 603 ex MB382 newly converted with two cockpits for pilot training.

Ex Royal Navy 778 Squadron MB407. Overhauled at Manchester Ringway by Fairey Aviation. After test flights, delivered by sea to the Thai Navy. On arrival, taken over by the Thai Air Force.

General Aircraft-built Firefly FR.1 on finals to Ringway's Runway 20, now closed, during a major overhaul at Manchester by Fairey Aviation.

Early production Firefly FR.1 at Ringway still wearing WW2-style camouflage, roundel and fin flash. The aircraft later served 766 Squadron at Lossiemouth and was lost in a ditching off Helmsdale, Scotland, on 14 January 1952.

One of several ex Royal Navy Firefly FR.1's overhauled at Ringway by Fairey Aviation and supplied to the Thai Navy - note anchor marking. From Faireys 60 years ago.

Formerly MB410 of the FAA, this is one of twelve Fireflies received by the Royal Thai Air Force in 1951 and serving till 1954, comprising ten FR.1s and two T.2s