Fairchild 24 Explained

The Fairchild Model 24, also called the Fairchild Model 24 Argus and UC-61 Forwarder, is a four-seat, single-engine monoplane light transport aircraft designed by the Fairchild Aviation Corporation in the 1930s. It was adopted by the United States Army Air Corps as UC-61 and also by the Royal Air Force. The Model 24 was itself a development of previous Fairchild models and became a successful civil and military utility aircraft.

Design and development

Fairchild Aircraft was hit hard by the Great Depression in the early 1930s as airline purchases disappeared. Consequently, the company attention turned to developing a reliable and rugged small aircraft for personal and business use. The Fairchild 22 became somewhat of a hit and led directly to the new and much improved Model 24 which gained rapid popularity in the early 1930s, noted for its pleasant handling characteristics and roomy interior. Having adapted many components from the automotive industry (namely expansion-shoe brakes and roll-down cabin windows), the aircraft was also affordable and easy to maintain. In production continuously from 1932 to 1948, the aircraft remained essentially unchanged aerodynamically and internally, with the addition of extra passenger seating and optional equipment.

Designed by George Hardman's team, according to H.L. Puckett, "After the success of the F-22, the Hardman design team was directed to begin work on an enclosed airplane similar to the F-22. This design was to be known as the F-24 and was to be a side-by-side two place enclosed cabin airplane using as much design data and tooling from the F-22 as possible. The prototype F-24 was test flown at Hagerstown, Maryland late 1931.The original two seat F-24 gave way to a three place version and then to a four place model. Most of the F-24 airplanes produced were powered with the 145 h.p. Warner and later with the 165 h.p. Warner Super Scarab. The Model 24 was powered in 1935 with the Ranger 150 h.p. engine. In 1938, the F-24K and J models experienced the last major changes, one of these being the revised more graceful rudder and vertical tail later to be seen in the PT series and a 165 h.p. Ranger engine was fitted under the cowling of the K model. In 1939 the F-24 reached the peak of refinement with the addition of hydraulic brakes and a new tail assembly."[1]

The Fairchild 24 built by Kreider-Reisner Aircraft, a division of Fairchild Aviation Corporation, remained in production from 1932 to 1948, essentially the same airframe but with various powerplant and configuration enhancements. In all, Fairchild constructed over 1,500 Model 24s, with an additional 280 being constructed by the Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Company (TEMCO) in Dallas when that company purchased the manufacturing rights after World War II.

Operational history

In civil use, the aircraft was a quick sales success, with prominent businessmen and Hollywood actors purchasing the aircraft. In 1936, the US Navy ordered Model 24s designated as GK-1 research and instrument trainers. The type was also used by the US Army as a light transport and by the Coast Guard, with the designation J2K-1. The Civil Air Patrol operated many Fairchild UC-61/24s, and some aircraft were fitted with two 100-pound bombs for what became successful missions against German U-boats off the east coast of the United States in the early stages of the Second World War. The UC-61 was also procured by the US Navy as the GK-1 and by the British Royal Air Force as the Fairchild Argus.In 1941, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) placed an initial order for 163 Fairchild C-61s; however, via Lend-Lease, 161 of these were shipped abroad. Under the auspices of this program, the majority of the 525 Warner Scarab Fairchild 24s/C-61s went to Great Britain. Most of these aircraft saw service as Argus Is and improved Argus IIs and were allocated to a newly formed adjunct of the Royal Air Force (RAF), the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA). An additional 306 Ranger-powered Argus IIIs were also used by the ATA. In British service, the majority of the Argus type operated with the ATA ferrying their aircrew to collect or deliver aircraft to and from manufacturers, Maintenance Units (MU)s and operational bases.

The Argus I was a Warner Scarab-equipped aircraft identified by its wind-driven generator located on the starboard struts, and was equipped with a black-painted propeller. The Argus II was also a Scarab-powered aircraft, usually with a transparent cabin roof. This mark was certified for heavier operational weight than the Mark I and was identified by its yellow propeller. The Argus III was equipped with the six-cylinder inverted inline Ranger engine.

Postwar

The aircraft was used by small air charter operators for short-distance taxi work and many were acquired by private pilot owners. It served with military forces as diverse as Finland, Thailand, Israel, Canada, the United States and Australia.

The last "new" Fairchild 24 was assembled in 1948 from a large inventory of leftover parts in Winfield, KS.

Ten Fairchild F24R aircraft operated for Comair (South Africa) during the period after the Second World War.[2]

Civilian models

+Civilian models
Year producedModelNumber builtEngineNotes
1932F-24 C895-hp American CirrusGross wt 1,600 lb, Cruise 90 mph. Cost $3,360
1933F-24 C8A25 (includes C8)125-hp Warner ScarabGross Wt. 1,800 lb, Cruise 95 mph, Cost $3,850
1933F-24 C8B2125-hp MenascoCost $3,990
1934F-24 C8C125145-hp Warner Super ScarabGross Wt. 2,400 lb. Cost $5,000
1935F-24 C8D10145-hp Fairchild Ranger
1936F-24 C8E50145-hp Warner Super ScarabNew cantilever tail. Cost $5,390
1936F-24 C8F40145-hp Fairchild RangerCost $5,390
1937F-24 G100145-hp Warner Super ScarabCost $5,290
1937F-24 H25150-hp Fairchild RangerCost $5,590
1938F-24 J10145-hp Warner Super ScarabGross Wt. 2,550 lb. Increased size. Cruise 115 mph
1939F-24 K60145-hp Fairchild RangerIncreased size. Cruise 125 mph. Cost $6,500
1939F-24R935165-hp Fairchild Ranger
1939F-24W930145-hp Warner Super Scarab
1940F-24R4025175-hp Fairchild RangerCost $7,230
1940F-24W4075145-hp Warner Super ScarabCost $6,290
1941F-24W4130165-hp Warner Super Scarab
1941UC-61640165-hp Warner Super ScarabSame as model W41
1942-43UC-61A364165-hp Warner Super Scarab
1944UC-61K306200-hp Fairchild RangerGross Wt. 2,562 lb. Same as model R40
1946F-24R46175-hp Fairchild RangerCruise 118 mph. Price $8,875
1946F-24W46280 (includes R46)165-hp Warner Super ScarabCost $8,500

Military variants

UC-61 Argus
  • Military version of the Fairchild Model F24W-41 powered by a 165hp R-500-1, 161 built.
    UC-61A Argus
  • Military version of the Fairchild Model F24W-41 with radio and 24-volt electrical system, 509 built and three impressed civilian aircraft.
    UC-61B
  • One impressed Model 24J powered by a 145hp Warner Scarab radial.
    UC-61C
  • One impressed Model 24R9.
    UC-61D
  • Three impressed Model 51As.
    UC-61E
  • Three impressed Model 24Ks.
    UC-61F
  • Two impressed Model 24R9s.
    UC-61G
  • Two impressed Model 24W-40s.
    UC-61H
  • One impressed Model 24H powered by a 150hp Ranger 6-410-B.
    UC-61J
  • One impressed Model 24-C8F two-seater, powered by a 150 hp Ranger 6-390-D3.
    UC-61K Forwarder
  • Final production variant powered by a 200 hp L-440-7, 306 built.
    UC-86
  • Nine impressed Model 24R-40s powered by 175 hp L-410.
    GK-1
  • Thirteen Model 24W-40 impressed by the United States Navy.
    J2K-1
  • United States Coast Guard version of the Model 24R, two built.
    J2K-2
  • As J2K-1 with detailed changes, two built.
    Argus I
  • Royal Air Force designation for the Model 24W-41 (UC-61), 118 under Lend-Lease
    Argus II
  • Royal Air Force designation for the Model 24W-41A (UC-61 and UC-61A), 407 under Lend-Lease
    Argus III
  • Royal Air Force designation for the Model 24R (UC-61K), 306 under Lend-Lease

    Operators

    Canada
    United States

    Accidents and incidents

    Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Hockey player Bill Barilko and his dentist Henry Hudson disappeared on August 26, 1951, aboard Hudson's Fairchild 24 floatplane, flying from Seal River, Quebec. On June 6, 1962, helicopter pilot Ron Boyd discovered the wreckage about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of Cochrane, Ontario, about 35 miles off course. The cause of the crash was deemed to have been a combination of pilot inexperience, poor weather and overloaded cargo.[5]

    Alaskan missionary Harold L. Wood (1890–1944) died in his Fairchild 24 floatplane while landing near a logging camp at Kasaan Bay (30 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska) on 24 February 1944. The cause of the crash was deemed to have been a pilot's health problem.[6]

    Surviving aircraft

    Bibliography

    Notes and References

    1. Book: Puckett . H.L. . Sherman Fairchild's PT-19: Cradle of Heroes . 1980 . Flambeau Lith Corporation . 10–14.
    2. Web site: Digital Books SAAMS. brenjen. www.saamuseum.co.za.
    3. Web site: Italian Air Force Aircraft Types. www.aeroflight.co.uk.
    4. Web site: The South African Air Force.
    5. Hornby, Lance. "The legend of Bill Barilko". The Toronto Sun, April 20, 2011.
    6. Owens, Fern Royer: Sky pilot of Alaska, Pacific Press, Mountain View CA. 1959, p. 175
    7. Web site: Fairchild 24W . The Museum of Flight . 7 July 2020.
    8. Web site: 1933 Fairchild 24 Model C-8 - NC13191 . EAA . 7 July 2020.
    9. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24C-8C Argus, c/n 2009, c/r N13191 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    10. Web site: Aircraft on Display . Hiller Aviation Museum . 7 July 2020.
    11. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24C-8C Argus, c/n 2724, c/r N15921 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    12. Web site: Fairchild 24G . Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum . 7 July 2020.
    13. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N23E] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 July 2020.
    14. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N3212] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 1 November 2023.
    15. Web site: Aircraft of the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum . Mid-Atlantic Air Museum . 7 July 2020 . 4 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200204002154/http://www.maam.org/aircraft/aircraft.htm . dead .
    16. Web site: OUR AIRCRAFT . Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum . 7 July 2020.
    17. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24C-8F Argus, c/n 3101, c/r N16676 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    18. Web site: Fairchild Model 24-C8F (UC-61J) . National Museum of the United States Air Force . 7 July 2020 . 11 August 2015.
    19. Web site: Golden Age (1919-1940) . Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome . 7 July 2020.
    20. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24H Argus, c/n 3224, c/r N19129 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    21. Web site: Golden Age of Aviation: 1919-1930s . Air Zoo . 7 July 2020.
    22. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N20627] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 July 2020.
    23. Web site: Fairchild Gk-1 . Tillamook Air Museum . 7 July 2020.
    24. Web site: Fairchild UC-86 . Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum . 7 July 2020.
    25. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N48411] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 July 2020.
    26. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24R-40 Argus, s/n 42-78040 USAF, c/n 0405, c/r N48411 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    27. Web site: Fairchild F-24 Argus . Royal Air Force Museum . 7 July 2020.
    28. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild UC-61A-FA Forwarder, s/n 43-14601 USAF, c/n 0565, c/r G-AIZE . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    29. Web site: Fairchild Argus II . Yorkshire Air Museum . 7 July 2020.
    30. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild Argus I, s/n FK338 RAF, c/n 0347, c/r G-AJOZ . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    31. Web site: Fairchild Argus - British Aerobatic Academy.
    32. Web site: 1946 Fairchild 24 N81228 . Hagerstown Aviation Museum . 7 July 2020 .
    33. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N81228] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 July 2020.
    34. Web site: Lilley . Joseph W. . 1946 FAIRCHILD 24-R . Western North Carolina Air Museum . 7 July 2020.
    35. Web site: Airframe Dossier - Fairchild F-24R-46 Argus, c/n R-46-137, c/r N81236 . Aerial Visuals . 7 July 2020.
    36. Web site: Fairchild 24R Argus . Canadian Historical Aircraft Association . 7 July 2020.
    37. Web site: Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details [C-FGZL] ]. Transport Canada . 28 August 2013. 7 July 2020.
    38. Web site: Fairchild F24 . Champaign Aviation Museum . 7 July 2020.
    39. Web site: Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder (Argus III) 24-W46 (FAA Reg. Number N81395) . Combat Air Museum . 7 July 2020.
    40. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N81395] ]. Federal Aviation Administration . U.S. Department of Transportation . 7 July 2020.
    41. Web site: Aviation . Reynolds Museum . 7 July 2020.
    42. Web site: Aviation . Fundacion Aeronáutica Antonio Quintana . 8 August 2021.
    43. Web site: Fairchild 24 Forwarder "Maggie's Pride" – Air Heritage Inc. . 2023-04-15 . en-US.
    44. Web site: https://aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=138872.

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