The Gordon was a land-based development of the Fairey IIIF, with an uncowled Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial engine that gives it the distinctive appearance shown here. The Hendon was Britain's first cantilever monoplane heavy bomber, yet its bomb load was modest relative to its size and power. Its form anticipates features visible in later aircraft such as the Avro Lancaster and Vickers Wellington. Fifteen Hendons were built, including the test aircraft, and the type served with two RAF squadrons. Fairey built 186 Gordons for much broader service. Together they show how quickly British aircraft design was changing in the early 1930s. The Gordon's later service with the Brazilian Navy also took the type beyond the RAF.
Chapter · 1:42-6:22
The Gordon and Hendon show Fairey's early-1930s transition
Compare the Fairey Gordon light bomber with the Hendon heavy-bomber prototype and see how rapidly British aircraft design was changing.