Fairchild 71

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_71

The Fairchild 71 was an American high-wing monoplane passenger and cargo
aircraft built by Fairchild Aircraft and later built in Canada by Fairchild
Aircraft Ltd. (Canada) for both military and civilian use as a rugged bush
plane.

The Fairchild Aircraft Company undertook a progressive development of the
Fairchild FC-2W2 light transport. Its first improvement was the FC-2, whose
several improvements included slightly swept-back wings; wingspan increased to
50 feet; engine power nearly doubled; and interior changes to improve passenger
comfort.

The FC-2 first flew in 1926.

The FC-2W was a further development, featuring:

*Camera bay for vertical aerial photography;

*Low-cut aft windows for oblique aerial photography.

The FC-2 and FC-2W continued the use of fabric-covered welded steel tubing for
fuselage and empennage construction, and strut-braced wooden-structure
fabric-covered wings.

The FC-2W, later known as the Model 71, was built in the United States between
1928 and 1930. In 1929 Fairchild formed a company in Canada (Fairchild Aircraft
Limited) at Longueuil, Quebec in 1929 to support the Canadian operators of
Fairchild aircraft. The Canadian company also set up a factory production line
for the Model 71, developing a variant for the Canadian military. The
Canadian-built aircraft differed from the US version in that all the
passenger-comfort features were removed, and the craft were built specifically
for aerial photography.


Role
passenger or cargo transport

Manufacturer
Fairchild Aircraft
Fairchild Aircraft Ltd. (Canada)

First flight
1926

Developed into
Fairchild Super 71

The United States Army Air Service acquired one Model 71 for evaluation; it was
designated XC-8, later redesignated XF-8 and used for photographic work.

Eight more service-test aircraft, designated YF-1 were ordered; all nine were
later redesignated C-8.

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), another major military operator, evaluated
the Fairchild 71 in mid-June 1930. Thirty four RCAF F-71s were operated from
1930 to 1946. Along with the earlier FC-2 series, the RCAF F-71 was utilized
primarily in the aerial photographic survey role as well as northern transport.
In November 1934, the RCAF transferred the FC-71s to the five detachments flying
in the amalgamated Maritimes No. 5 (Flying Boat) Squadron at RCAF Station
Dartmouth. The squadron flew the FC-71 extensively on anti-smuggling (rum
running) and illegal immigration patrols for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
(RCMP).

Most of the Model 71 production ended up in the hands of bush plane operators in
Canada and the United States. Civilian operators likewise found the 71 a rugged,
reliable and highly useful utility transport, well suited for northern and
remote operations.

Specifications (Model 71C)

General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: eight
Length: 35 ft 10.25 in (10.93 m)
Wingspan: 50 ft 0 in (15.39 m)
Height: 9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Wing area: 309.6 ft2 (28.76 m2)
Empty weight: 3,168 lb (1,438 kg)
Gross weight: 6,000 lb (2,724 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney Wasp B/C 9-cylinder radial piston, 420 hp ( kW)

Performance
Maximum speed: 132 mph (212.4 km/h)
Cruise speed: 106 mph (170.5 km/h)
Range: 817 miles (1,314 km)
Service ceiling: 11,000 ft (3,353 m)
Rate of climb: 600 ft/min (3 m/s)



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