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| The Firebrand was designed to meet a 1939 requirement for a carrier-borne fighter, & first flew in February 1942. The prototypes & first nine production aircraft were powered by single Napier Sabre III inline engines. The original design of the Firebrand was altered so that the aircraft could carry an 839kg (1,850lb) bomb-load between the wheel bays. This revised Firebrand was about to enter production when the decision was made to redirect the supply of Napier Sabre III engines to Hawker Typhoon production. The Firebrand was redesigned yet again, this time with a Centaurus VII radial engine. This version was designated Firebrand TF.Mk III, & suffered directional instability. The Firebrand design was modified again, & incorporated a larger tail. This was designated Firebrand TF.Mk4, & 102 were built. The TF.Mk5 & TF.Mk5A followed the TF.Mk4, & incorporated several minor improvements; 68 were delivered. | ||
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