Preface/Introduction

The first chapter provides a very useful 28-page overview of the Firefly's development and career, including multiple original designs by Marcel Lobelle and a single-seater by Herbert Eugene Chaplin, none of which I've ever seen covered elsewhere. Moving on to the Firefly as we know it, the chapter describes the type's service with the Royal Navy and a surprisingly varied list of foreign operators - Australia, Canada, Denmark, Ethiopia, Netherlands, India, Sweden and Thailand.

Technical Description

I always find the Technical Description chapter in Valiant Wings' books a treat. The title may sound dry, but it's actually a visual feast that will be reason enough on its own for modellers to purchase the book. The format is a sort of 54-page "super-walkaround", combining modern colour shots of preserved airframes with period photos and illustrations from technical manuals and the pilot's notes. For me, this gives the best of all worlds, because restored airframes often aren't 100% accurate, but the colour photos are taken with a modeller's eye for details. Put the modern and original sources together and you're as well armed as reasonably possible for a model build.

The scope of the chapter is huge, breaking the coverage down into 8 main sections, each further subdivided:

1. Engine

2. Fuselage

3. Tail

4. Wings

5. Undercarriage

6. Armament

7. Electrical Equipment

8. Miscellaneous

Evolution - Prototypes, Production and Projected Variants

I've often commented in previous reviews that Valiant Wings tend to double-up their coverage of the various versions of an aircraft with both profile and isometric views and notes, so it's not a disappointment for me to see just one section of 31 pages of isometric illustrations by Juraj Jankovic this time. The quality is excellent and they are accompanied by concise notes highlighting the pertinent points for any given variant - all that's really required from a modeller's point of view, because you can refer back to the Technical Description for more detail.

Camouflage & Markings

With such a long and varied career, the Firefly understandably carried a wide range of colour schemes, so there's plenty for the author to describe in 31 pages with the help of colour profiles by Richard Caruana. Ranging from the early prototypes, through standard FAA wartime and post-war camouflage to the colourful training and target drone schemes, there's surely something to whet any modelling appetite. Add to that the foreign service schemes - including some really eye-catching aircraft that would stand out in any model line-up (how about Dutch machines sporting sharkmouth nose art in 1960, or an Ethiopian 2-seat trainer sporting desert camouflage for starters?) and there's simply masses of inspiration to be had. 

Models

As you'd expect, Steve Evans does a fine job with Trumpeter's 1:48 Firefly Mk. I. It's not a kit I have any experience with but, based on other Trumpeter/Hobby Boss kits in my stash, I'm not surprised by Steve's concerns over its accuracy in places. Sadly, it's the only full build article featured this time, but the book does include a gallery showing Libor Jekl's 1:72 Special Hobby T. Mk. 1/T. Mk. 2 and John Wilkes' 1:48 AS. Mk. 7 from the same manufacturer. Both give a good idea of the range of Firefly variants available in model form if you look beyond the strictly mainstream.

Appendices - Kits, Accessories and Bibliography

Wrapping everything up is a useful set of Appendices, giving an overview of the Firefly kits and accessories which have appeared over the years, plus a guide to further reading.

Conclusion

The Fairey Firefly seldom receives the attention it deserves, but Valiant Wings have set things right with this detailed study which will appeal to aircraft enthusiasts and modellers alike. From the latter perspective, there's everything you could want (short of having a real Firefly at your disposal) to undertake a detailed build.

Airframe Album 18 - The Fairey Firefly is available now from Valiant Wings - Price: 19.95

Many thanks to Valiant Wings for the review sample.

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