The Fleetwing was one of several two-seat reconnaissance proposals considered during a period of rapid experimentation. It did not receive substantial service adoption because a Blackburn competitor prevailed while the Fairey III F continued to perform the role well. A new design therefore had to beat both another contemporary proposal and an adaptable aircraft already proven in fleet use. Its rejection shows how interwar requirements could generate unusual prototypes without displacing a dependable aircraft already in service.
Chapter · 50:55-52:29
Why the Fairey Fleetwing failed to replace proven reconnaissance types
The two-seat Fairey Fleetwing lost its reconnaissance competition to Blackburn's alternative and the still-effective Fairey III F.