Country of origin:

United States of America

Description:

Light cabin monoplane

Power Plant:

One 123 kw (165 hp) Warner Super Scarab seven-cylinder air-cooled radial engine

Specifications:

History:

The Fairchild 24 series of aircraft was introduced in 1931. The prototype, a two-seater, known as the KR Fairchild 24, had been flown early that year, and the first production model, the F24-C8, received its type approval in June 1932. Seating was for two side-by-side in a comfortable cabin, and power plant was the Cirrus “Hi-Drive” engine.

Over a period of production of many years, some 17 different models of the Fairchild 24 series was produced. In January 1933 the Fairchild was offered in two models, with the Warner Scarab radial, or the Menasco Pirate in-line engine, both rated at 93 kw (125 hp). However, the Menasco did not prove popular and this version did not enter production. The new Warner Super Scarab-engined model became known as the F24-C8B.

In 1934 the F24-C8C three-seater with the 108 kw (145 hp) Super Scarab radial was certificated. This featured an enlarged luggage space to permit a small jump-seat to be fitted, and the view over the nose was improved by lowering the engine thrust line. The main external difference was the V-struts instead of parallel members, and slotted half-span Frise ailerons.

The next model was the F24-C8D, which was fitted with a Ranger six-cylinder in-line engine. In 1936 the F-24C8E appeared with the Warner engine, and an enlarged cabin. Also, the windshield was given a flatter angle of slope. In 1937 Fairchild dispensed with the F24-C8 designation and the models then became the F24-G (Warner) and F24-H (Ranger). The F24-G was offered with an optional fourth seat.

In 1938 the last major changes were made to the F24 series. The F24-K (Ranger) and the F24-J had the cabin length increased by 38.1 cm (15 in) and the height by 7.62 cm (3 in). The most apparent change externally was a re-designed vertical tail.

In February 1939 the F24 series reached its peak with the F24-R9 (Ranger engine) and F24-W9 (Warner engine). These had hydraulic brakes and a new fully swivelling tailwheel. Excluding periodic power increases, no more significant changes were made in the F24 series.

The F24 was used extensively in World War II by the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC), the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other military services, including the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), which used four (serials A36-1 to A36-4) as communications and utility transports. Some 364 Warner-powered machines were shipped to the United Kingdom under Lend-Lease as the Fairchild Argus 2. The F24-W41 was known as the UC-61 and UC-61A in the USAAC. After the war large numbers were sold as surplus, many of these appearing on civil registers around the world, including Australia. A number of aircraft which were impressed into military service were returned to their pre-war owners.

Fairchild F24-Ws registered in Australia have included: VH-AAW (c/n 2817), a pre-war F24-C8E, which was registered in August 1936 and exported to the United Kingdom in October 1938, becoming G-AKFW, being impressed by the RAF as BK868.

An F24-G VH-UYH (c/n 2965) was imported and registered to the Newcastle Aero Club on 5 August 1937, being impressed by the RAAF as A36-3 in 1942 and seeing service with No 36 Squadron. It was returned to the civil register in October 1947, being retired in September 1963.

An F24-W41A VH-ALF (c/n 339 – ex G-AKJL, FK330, 42-32134) after service with the RAF was imported in July 1951 and had a number of owners over the years until obtained by John Gallagher. It had an accident at Wedderburn, NSW and has been undergoing restoration.

An F24-W41A Argus II VH-AVN (c/n 316 – ex G-AKIM, EV806, 42-13578) was registered in 1953 and owners have included Guinea Airways Ltd and Tamair Pty Ltd of Tamworth, NSW. It was retired in 1969 and has been under restoration.

VH-AIO², also an 24-W41A Argus II (c/n 310 – ex VR-RBE, G-AKJK, EV801, 42-13573) was registered in July 1953 but crashed at Trimoulle Island off Western Australia on 25 November 1966.

An F24-W41A VH-DDG² (c/n 837 – ex G-AJSG, HB600, 42-14873) was registered in January 1955. In May 1958 the registration was changed to VH-EMF, and it became VH-EMP in March 1959. It was withdrawn from service in August 1963 and was exported to New Zealand where it has been restored.

An F24-W41A VH-BLB² (c/n 856 – ex G-AIXM, HB619, 43-14892) was registered in September 1952 and had a number of owners over the years.

VH-CMB (c/n 362 – ex FK353, 42-32157), an F24-W41A, was registered in June 1954 and had a number of owners, including Christey’s Motors, Culgoa Aviation, Coadair Charter Services, and Aerial Stock Property Sales. It spent some time at Drages Airworld at Wangaratta, VIC before it was restored to airworthiness.

VH-AZL (c/n 308 – ex G-AKCJ, EV798, 41-38862), an F24-W41A, was registered in January 1958 and has still been airworthy.

Another F24-W has been imported from the United States and is under restoration in Queensland.

A couple of F24s have been registered in New Zealand. An F24W-41A Argus II (c/n 352 – ex G-APJA, F-343, 42-32147) became ZK-AUW in July 1950 but crashed at Martinborough on 3 July 1951 whilst fence-dropping with Air Contracts Ltd.

A Model F24-C61, ZK-ASZ, was imported in 1949 after wartime use with the RAF as HB621. It was imported by Hunter Air Tourist in the 1950s but later it was sold to Argus & James Aviation. It was operated by Rotorua Air Tourist Ltd, and later by J Healey, but crashed near Wairoa in April 1957.

One other registration was allocated to a F24-W, ZK-AUN. This aircraft was to be operated on floats but it was not imported and the registration was not taken up. A further example has been imported from Australia (ex-VH-EMP – c/n 837). Retired in 1973, it has been restored at Omaka, NZ.