Fairey Firefly in action

The Fairey Firefly, one of the most underrated strike fighters of World War II, was the result of numerous changes to its original specifications over an extended period. Such a lengthy and protracted development was characterisitc of the British aircraft industry's relationship to the British government. In those days the British Air Ministry controlled all orders for aircraft, including those for their naval Fleet Air Arm (FAA), and developed specifications in response to the requirements of the armed services. These specifications were then issued to the aircraft industry. In response, there might be design submissions from a half-dozen British aircraft manufacturers, all hoping for orders, and the Air Ministry had the luxury of picking the winner, often from among two or more prototypes of aircraft which potentially suited the needs of the service requiring them. Such was the case with the Fairey Firefly.