It had nothing to share with Fairey Battle or Fulmar: it was the modified Belgian version of the Caproni Ca. 355 "Maestrale" ("Mistral"): only the prototype built because of the German invasion in 1940.
Klaatu83, e-mail, 30.08.2016 00:03
It looks a bit like a Fairey Fulmar, which should not be all that surprising when one considers the fact that the Fairey Fulmer was actually designed by a Belgian (Marcelle Lobelle). There was a close association between Britain's Fairey Aviation Ltd. and Belgium. In addition to the fact that the company's chief designer was Belgian, the company designed and built aircraft for the Belgian Air Force (The Fox reconnaissance/bomber and the Firefly biplane fighter) and set up a s subsidiary factor in Belgium in which to manufacture them. Shortly before WW-II began Fairly also sold the Belgium Air Force the Battle light bomber, a few of which were delivered to Belgium before hostilities began, and which were used in action.
Oldgysgt, e-mail, 01.11.2015 22:06
The SABCA S.47 and the Fairey Fulmar suffered from the same basic problem as the Fairey Battle and the Douglas TBD Devastator; too much aircraft and not enough engine. With total air superiority they might have pulled it off; but lacking that, they stood little or no chance. The Battle of France and the Battle of Midway showed the fate of under powered and overweight multi-seat aircraft when facing modern single seat fighters.
Barry, 20.06.2014 18:49
There was only one Sabca S47 produced before the plant was overun by the advancing Nazi army. Sabca had set up a number of licence agreements with Caproni for various models none of which came to any real fruition. The company now controlled by Dassault and Stork is still heavily involved in the aerospace business.
Austin, 25.09.2012 20:38
From minimal research I have done, It looks like the frame was adopted from the Fairey Fulmar. The Firefly and the S.47 came at about the same time. Please extend research for confirmation on this...
ika244, e-mail, 23.02.2009 01:30
SABCA S.47 is really adaptablity Ca.335 The SABCA S.47 flew for the first time on 1939. Engine - 1x Hispano Suiza NS 12 Ycrs- 860h.p. Wingspan- 13,2m , length-10,61m Empty weight-2100kg, take-off weight-3090km Max.speed-480km/h, range-750km, ceiling- 10 500m Armament - 1x20mm, 3x7,9mm machine guns, 200kg bombs
Sgt.KAR98, 07.01.2009 00:05
Looks the Fairey Firefly
- 3VI -, e-mail, 07.11.2008 14:25
This plane is Caproni Ca.335 "Maestrale" sold to Belgium and developed as S.47 and very similar to Ca.355 "Tuffo".
- 3VI -, e-mail, 07.11.2008 14:20
Have you ever seen the Caproni Ca.355 "Tuffo" dive bomber? THAT is really similar!
Endicott Road, e-mail, 06.09.2008 02:34
Are you sure this picture isn't the Fairey Fullmar? It looks incredibly like it. ER
