FAIRCHILD F-24

1931’36

Plane & Pilot

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By: Omar Filipović

Key Takeaways:

The Fairchild 24R was a four-seat cabin monoplane initially produced for the civilian market from 1939, later converted to the military UC-61K during World War II.
It was offered with various engine configurations, including 145 hp Warner Scarab, 175 hp Ranger, and even 450 hp Pratt & Whitney, affecting its cruise speeds and ranges.
Key design elements included a steel-tube fuselage, wooden wings with fabric covering, a wide landing gear, and a steerable tailwheel, which presented a challenge due to its rearward center of gravity.

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Fairchild’s 24R four-seat cabin monoplane first appeared in 1939 and was produced for the civilian aircraft market until the United States entered World War II. In 1942, production of the F-24R was shifted to a military version, which was designated UC-61K. The F-24R is equipped with a 175 hp, six-cylinder, air-cooled Ranger engine that delivers a near 120 mph cruise speed for more than 600 miles. Other versions of the F-24 were powered by a 145 hp or 165 hp Warner Super Scarab radial, 200 hp inline Ranger and 450 hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp Junior. A close look at the landing gear assembly reveals Fairchild’s wide stance. Turns while taxiing are accomplished through the use of a steerable tailwheel, a point which challenges some of the F-24’s pilots because of the rearward location of the center of gravity. Construction of the F-24 is a steel-tube fuselage, heavily faired to shape with formers and spruce longerons. Wings are wooden with fabric covering.