Welcome to my worlds not so great aircraft series. In a game where Gucci jet fighters hold most people's imagination, I feel the not-so successful designs should be represented as a matter of completion. This aircraft was the brainchild of Blackburn and was conceived as a fighter-bomber for the fleet air arm. In an environment where space comes at a premium, the bulky firebrand was immediately ill designed for its intended role. Any shortcomings in size will probably be made up in engine power and therefore performance yes? Unfortunately not. In the words of highly experienced test pilot Eric Brown, this aircraft was 'short of performance and sadly lacking in manoeuvrability, especially in rate of roll.' Mr Brown was not the firebrands best critic as it turned out and went further to state the type was 'a disaster as a deck-landing aircraft.' I believe when Blackburn came up with this carrier-borne aircraft they were not exactly fielding their A-team. Having spent the latter half of the Second World War being constantly tweaked, it never arrived to see action in the conflict it was intended for and was promptly taken out of service in the early 50s after a grand total of 220 were built. History has quite rightly, forgotten its name!