Charles Richard Fairey
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Sir Charles Richard Fairey MBE, FRAeS (May 5, 1887 – September 30, 1956) was a British aircraft manufacturer.
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[edit] Early life
Charles Fairey was born in Hendon, London and educated at the Merchant Taylors' School, Northwood and the Finsbury Technical College where he studied electrical engineering and chemistry. Aged 15, Fairey began work as an engineering apprentice with an electrical company.
[edit] Career
From an early age, Fairey had built model aeroplanes and in 1910 he entered a model aeroplane competition at Crystal Palace, London. His success in this competition established his reputation as a craftsman and innovator. In 1913 Fairey joined Short Brothers as chief engineer and in 1915 he formed his own company, Fairey Aviation. During WWI the company expanded rapidly as orders for military aircraft flooded in.
Fairey remained in charge of his company until his death in 1956 following an operation for cancer. During those forty years he was involved with the development of many of the companies most important aircraft including; the Fairey Fox, Fairey Swordfish, Fairey Firefly, Fairey Gyrodyne helicopter and the Fairey Delta.
[edit] Honours
- MBE in 1920.
- President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, twice, 1930-31 and 1932-33.
- Recipient of the Wakefield Gold Medal from the Royal Aeronautical Society in 1936.
- Knighthood awarded in 1942.
- Medal of Freedom with silver palm from the United States government.
[edit] References
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Fairey, Charles Richard by J.L. Pritchard.
- London Gazette archive.
