Fairey marine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fairey Marine Ltd were based on the River Hamble, Southampton. The company was created in the late 1940's by Sir Richard Fairey and Fairey Aviation's Managing Director, Mr. Chichester-Smith. Both were avid sailing enthusiasts along with Chichester-Smith's good friend and former Olympic yachtsman, Charles Currey. Sir Richard and Mr. Chichester-Smith both decided that they should produce sailing dinghies and so recruited Charles Currey to help run the company when he came out of the Navy.
The world air speed record holding Peter Twiss joined Fairey Marine Ltd from Fairey Aviation in 1960 and was responsible for development and sales of day-cruisers. Boats were primarily designed by Sir Alan Burnard.
Contents |
[edit] Craft
The most common Fairey Marine Motor Cruisers are detailed as below:
- Fairey Huntress
- Fairey Huntsman 28
- Fairey Huntsman 31
- Fairey Fantome
- Fairey Swordsman
- Fairey Spearfish and Spear
Other craft produced by Fairey Marine included Dell Quay Rangers and Christinas.
[edit] Construction
The reputation of the motor cruisers was also due to the incredibly strong and reliable nature of the hulls and superior seakeeping capabilities that the hulls gave. The wooden hulls were hot-moulded and made from 6 laminations of agba mahogany and it is a testiment to this process that so many examples of these classic craft are still thriving.
[edit] Prestige
Craft were sold to both wealthy and famous individuals including Deborah Kerr and Billy Butlin. The craft also starred in the James Bond film From Russia with Love. Sean Connery as James Bond can be seen driving a white Fairey Huntress and the 'baddies' give chase in Fairey Huntman 28s and Fairey Huntresses.
[edit] Racing Pedigree
The company was perhaps most renown for producing exclusive powerboats and cruisers based on an extensive racing pedigree. Fairey Marine cruisers won many racing awards including 148 between the years 1961 and 1973 including the prestigious Monte-Carlo and Cowes-Torquay races. 1969 was a particularly successful year with an an impressive tally of 54 awards.
