Fairey Delta
| Fairey Delta 2 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| World speed record holder WG774 | |
| Role | high-speed research aircraft |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Fairey Aviation Company |
| First flight | 6 October 1954 |
| Introduction | Experimental |
| Retired | 1966 (WG777), 1973 (WG774) |
| Status | On public display |
| Primary user | Royal Aircraft Establishment |
| Number built | 2 |
The Fairey Delta 2 or FD2 (internal designation Type V within Fairey) was a British supersonic research aircraft produced by the Fairey Aviation Company in response to a specification from the Ministry of Supply for a specialised aircraft for conducting investigations into flight and control at transonic and supersonic speeds. Key features of the type include the adoption of a delta wing and a droop-nose. On 6 October 1954, the Delta 2 conducted its maiden flight, flown by Fairey test pilot Peter Twiss; a total of two aircraft would be produced. The Delta 2 was the final aircraft to be produced by Fairey as an independent manufacturer.
The Fairey Delta 2 holds the distinction of being the first jet aircraft to exceed 1000 mph in level flight, flying faster than the sun moves across the sky. On 10 March 1956, it set a new world speed record of 1,132 mph during a test flight. The Delta 2 held the absolute World Air Speed Record for over a year. It continued to be used for test flights, and was allocated to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in 1958.
To satisfy a requirement for a testbed aircraft for the in-development "ogee delta" wing design, one of the Delta 2 aircraft was extensively rebuilt to become the BAC 221. On 1 May 1964, the modified aircraft performed its first flight. As a result of flight testing conducted by the 221, the ogee delta wing was subsequently adopted for the Concorde supersonic transport airliner. The FD2 was also used as the basis for Fairey's submissions to the Ministry for advanced all weather interceptor designs, culminating in the proposed Fairey Delta 3 to meet the F.155 specification; however, the FD3 never got past the drawing-board stage.
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