On 24 May 1939, the British Fleet Air Arm became independent of the RAF after many years of subordination.
However, while still under RAF control, Specification O.8/38 was issued, calling for a long-range naval fighter and reconnaissance aircraft with a heavy (by 1938 standards) armament of eight .303 machine guns.
The aircraft was to carry a crew of two, although the second crew member was not to have a rear-firing weapon, his role being only to navigate over the sea, as the Admiralty considered the pilot incapable of doing so.
The first production aircraft, serial number N1854, first took to the air in December 1939. Mk.I Fulmars were fitted with R&R Merlin Mk.VII engines and a total of 250 aircraft were produced, while 350 of the Mk.II Fulmars were built, with improved performance, some of which were completed in a night fighter version (NF Mk.II).
These were fitted with uprated R&R Merlin Mk.30 engines, had a modified cooling system and other minor improvements.
Heavier armament with four .5 machine guns was also possible.
For a fighter, the Fulmars were rather low-performance, and above all they were quite slow.
But when they first entered service in 1940 they represented a fairly big advance on the Skua and Sea Gladiator aircraft and won many victories, particularly in heavy battles in the Mediterranean.
The Fulmar also saw action over the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Ceylon and elsewhere.
In 1942, the Fulmar was gradually replaced by the single-seat fighters Sea Hurricane, Seafire and Martlet.
The night fighter NF Mk.II was in service until 1943 and was taken out of service in 1944.
Despite its age, the Fulmar was one of the most successful British naval fighters of the Second World War.
Plastic model kit
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
However, while still under RAF control, Specification O.8/38 was issued, calling for a long-range naval fighter and reconnaissance aircraft with a heavy (by 1938 standards) armament of eight .303 machine guns.
The aircraft was to carry a crew of two, although the second crew member was not to have a rear-firing weapon, his role being only to navigate over the sea, as the Admiralty considered the pilot incapable of doing so.
The first production aircraft, serial number N1854, first took to the air in December 1939. Mk.I Fulmars were fitted with R&R Merlin Mk.VII engines and a total of 250 aircraft were produced, while 350 of the Mk.II Fulmars were built, with improved performance, some of which were completed in a night fighter version (NF Mk.II).
These were fitted with uprated R&R Merlin Mk.30 engines, had a modified cooling system and other minor improvements.
Heavier armament with four .5 machine guns was also possible.
For a fighter, the Fulmars were rather low-performance, and above all they were quite slow.
But when they first entered service in 1940 they represented a fairly big advance on the Skua and Sea Gladiator aircraft and won many victories, particularly in heavy battles in the Mediterranean.
The Fulmar also saw action over the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Ceylon and elsewhere.
In 1942, the Fulmar was gradually replaced by the single-seat fighters Sea Hurricane, Seafire and Martlet.
The night fighter NF Mk.II was in service until 1943 and was taken out of service in 1944.
Despite its age, the Fulmar was one of the most successful British naval fighters of the Second World War.
Plastic model kit
- with photo-etched parts
- with resin parts
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
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