A design competition was announced in 1934 by the Belgian Air Ministry to find a replacement for the Fairey Firefly, which had been in service with the Aeronautique Militaire fighter squadrons since 1930. Wanting to continue as their principal supplier of fighter aircraft, Fairey Aviation began the evaluation of a number of schemes at their Hayes, UK, factory.
Consideration was given to the possibilities of a monoplane design, but although the monoplane promised an estimated maximum speed some 2 1/2 % higher than the biplane, it was found that the rate of climb of the monoplane was some 18 % less than the biplane, and a biplane arrangement was decided upon.
The UK Air Ministry showed interest in the design from the start, and approved all aspects of the proposal except for the engine mounted cannon, which they refused to consider. They did, however, order an example of the aircraft.
Sets of components for four aircraft were put in hand at the Belgian factory of Avions Fairey S.A. at Gosselies, and one set was shipped to Fairey Aviation at Hayes, UK, for final assembly as the prototype and as the entry for the Belgian Air Ministry competition, and this aircraft was introduced to the aeronautical press in June 1935. The first public appearance of the aircraft was at the SBAC display at Hendon, UK, in July 1935, where it created a very good impression, as reported in the ' Aeroplane '. The aircraft was then successfully demonstrated at Evere in Belgium as part of the fighter competition. Unfortunately, three days later, at the completion of a further demonstration to Government and Service officials, the aircraft failed to flatten out at the end of its aerobatic display, crashing and killing the pilot, Stephen Trower. No evidence of structural failure was found, and the cause of the crash was thought to be as a result of a momentary blackout of the pilot.
Two further aircraft were completed in time for them to take part in the fighter competition, but a change in the requirements of the Belgian Air Ministry curtailed this. The two aircraft were eventually sold to Soviet Russia, and were shipped to the Republican forces in Spain during the civil war, where it is believed that one was soon destroyed in action, while the other succeeded in shooting down a number of Nationalist aircraft.
The fourth and final set of components were assembled at Gosselies, and the aircraft flown to Hayes in November 1937, where it received its RAF serial L7045. Further testing was carried out both at Farnborough and at Martlesham Heath, where trials continued until June 1939. Nothing is known, however, of its final fate. It is this aircraft that has been selected as the subject of this model for FS2000.
SPECIFICATION
Dimensions
Span: 10.5 m
Length: 8.4 m
Height: 3.3 m
Weights
Loaded: 2041 kg
Performance
Max Speed: 260 mph at 4500 m
Climb Rate:
4500 m in 5 min 30 sec
9000 m in 13 min 18 sec
Range:
910 km at 180 mph
Service ceiling: 8840 m
Power unit
One: Hispano - Suiza 12 Ycrs Moteur - Canon
Power rating:
900 hp
Armament
Fuselage: 2 Browning .303 guns mounted between cylinder banks
together with either:
a) 1 Oerlikon 20mm cannon firing through propeller shaft
or b) 1 Browning .303 gun mounted in each lower wing
INSTALLATION
Transfer the contents of the Gauges folder to your FS2000 Gauges folder.
Transfer the Fantome folder, together with the Model, Panel, Sound and Texture sub-folders, to the Aircraft folder in your installation of FS2000.
NOTES
The Fantome is quite a tractable aircraft, and should not pose any horrific problems for any user. It will be seen that the ailerons, on the upper wing only, are fairly large. It is worth while to restrict the control sensitivities to arond 30 % to allow the aircraft to be readily manageable - but no doubt some of the more adventurous may like to play with this.
A few points that may be of help: Engine starting - switch on the 'Battery master ' and 'Generator master ' switches, and click round the starter ( magneto ) switch through 'R' , 'L' and 'Both' to 'start' and hold down until the engine has caught.
Take off is straightforward, provided the tail is not allowed to rise too far, with the possibility of grounding the prop tips. Climb seems to be excellent, and on reaching cruise height, throttle back to around 1750 rpm, giving a cruising speed of some 200 mph.
The flaps that were fitted to the first prototype have been retained, although in reality the Fantome exhibited a sufficiently low landing speed for them to be omitted in later aircraft. It was felt that they allowed the 'Sim' version to be slowed down readily to an acceptable approach and landing speed.
On lowering the flaps, the nose tends to rise, and the speed falls off quite quickly, requiring some throttle to maintain the approach speed of around 100 mph. Stalling speed with no flaps is around 90 mph, with flaps 1st posi1ion 85 mph, 2nd position 80 mph, 3rd position 75 mph and 4th position 70 mph. This is somewhat higher than the published landing speed of 65 mph, but probably close enough. To switch off ( after that successful landing - with a sigh of relief ) turn the starter ( magneto ) switch back to 'off'. Don't forget to switch off the Battery and Generator master switches - and, of course, you will have raised the flaps on taxying in !
COPYRIGHT and DISTRIBUTION
This aircraft is released as Freeware, Copyright (C) John Bulteel. As Freeware you are permitted to distribute this archive subject to the following conditions:
The archive must be distributed without modification to the contents of the archive. Redistributing this archive with any files added, removed or modified is prohibited.
The inclusion of any individual file from this archive in another archive without the prior permission of the author is prohibited. This means, for example, that you may not upload an archive that uses my visual or flight models with your own aircraft or include it in a package containing a panel or aircraft sounds without first obtaining the authors' permission.
No charge may be made for this archive other than to cover the cost of distribution. If a fee is charged it must be made clear to the purchaser that the archive is Freeware and that the fee is to cover the distributor's costs of providing the archive.
The authors' rights and wishes concerning this archive must be respected.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The basic information for the Fairey Fantome came from an excellent article, ' The Fabulous Fantome ', in the December 1975 issue of the ' Aeroplane Monthly ', published at that time in association with ' Flight International ', and now as the 'Aeroplane ' by IPC Magazines Ltd in the UK.
My thanks to the following, who readily gave their permission for me to use their files, either as the original, or with modifications to suit the Fantome.
Mike Hambly, for the sound files. They are, in fact, for the Spitfire/P51, but since none seem to be available for the Hispano-Suiza, they make a very acceptable substitute. ( both being 12 cyl 'V' in line )
Chris Lampard, for the .Air file. This was originally for a Hawker Fury ( of similar vintage and performance ), but has been adapted for the Fantome.
Dave Haskell and Jon Shepherd for the majority of the gauges, which were lifted from Dave Haskell's DH88 Comet panel. I understand that the gauges were originally produced by Jon Shepherd. Many thanks to both of you.
Dai Griffiths of Dragon Flight Design for the engine starter switches. Nice start-up sounds !
The panel was produced using CfgEdit, by Ed Struzynski, from information contained in the 'Aeroplane ' article, and by using a considerable amount of guesswork ! ( sometimes they call it ' Artists licence ! ' ) .
The moving control surfaces were produced using the Abacus Aircraft Animator.
My thanks also to all those who patiently and speedily answered all my questions posted on the ' Free Flight Design ' forum page. This is quite the best source of help and information on all the irritating problems ( mostly self generated ! )that beset anyone producing an aircraft for FS2000
