View source for Fairchild 24

{{Short description|Family of general aviation and liaison aircraft}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2010}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name=F-24 Argus
 |image=Fairchild.argus3.g-bcbh.arp.jpg
 |caption=1944 Fairchild Argus III
 |type=[[STOL]] [[bush plane]] {{Citation needed|date=January 2010}}
 |manufacturer=[[Fairchild (aircraft manufacturer)|Fairchild]]
 |designer= 
 |first_flight= [[1932 in aviation|1932]]
 |introduction=
 |retired=
 |status=in service with private pilot owners
 |produced= [[1932 in aviation|1932]]-[[1948 in aviation|1948]]<ref name="deering">Sport Flying Magazine. Challenge Publications, Canoga Park, CA. February 1968. The Fairchild's Tractable 24, Roscoe Deering.</ref>
 |number_built= 2,232<ref name="deering" />
 |unit cost=
 |developed_from= 
 |variants=
}}
[[File:Fairchild 24 001.JPG|thumb|A Fairchild 24W-40 with a 165 hp Warner engine]]

The '''Fairchild Model 24''', also called the '''Fairchild Model 24 Argus''' and '''UC-61 Forwarder''', is a four-seat, single-engine [[monoplane]] light transport aircraft designed by the [[Fairchild Aviation Corporation]] in the 1930s. It was adopted by the [[United States Army Air Corps]] as '''UC-61''' and also by the [[Royal Air Force]]. The Model 24 was itself a development of previous Fairchild models and became a successful civil and military utility aircraft. It first flew in 1932, and over 2230 would be produced by the time production ended in the late 1940s. 

The original design had a radial engine, resulting in a blunt cylindrical nose, while the later UC-61K and UC-86 used a different engine configuration resulting in a more tapered nose; overall several different engines were used across variants.

==Design and development==
Fairchild Aircraft was hit hard by the [[Great Depression]] in the early 1930s as airline purchases disappeared. Consequently, the company attention turned to developing a reliable and rugged small aircraft for personal and business use. The [[Fairchild 22]] became somewhat of a hit and led directly to the new and much improved Model 24 which gained rapid popularity in the early 1930s, noted for its pleasant handling characteristics and roomy interior. Having adapted many components from the automotive industry (namely expansion-shoe brakes and roll-down cabin windows), the aircraft was also affordable and easy to maintain. In production continuously from 1932 to 1948, the aircraft remained essentially unchanged aerodynamically and internally, with the addition of extra passenger seating and optional equipment.

Designed by George Hardman's team, according to H.L. Puckett, "After the success of the F-22, the Hardman design team was directed to begin work on an enclosed airplane similar to the F-22. This design was to be known as the F-24 and was to be a side-by-side two place enclosed cabin airplane using as much design data and tooling from the F-22 as possible. The prototype F-24 was test flown at Hagerstown, Maryland late 1931.The original two seat F-24 gave way to a three place version and then to a four place model. Most of the F-24 airplanes produced were powered with the 145 h.p. Warner and later with the 165 h.p. Warner Super Scarab. The Model 24 was powered in 1935 with the Ranger 150 h.p. engine. In 1938, the F-24K and J models experienced the last major changes, one of these being the revised more graceful rudder and vertical tail later to be seen in the [[Fairchild PT-19|PT series]] and a 165 h.p. Ranger engine was fitted under the cowling of the K model. In 1939 the F-24 reached the peak of refinement with the addition of hydraulic brakes and a new tail assembly."<ref name="hlp">{{cite book |last1=Puckett |first1=H.L. |title=Sherman Fairchild's PT-19: Cradle of Heroes |date=1980 |publisher=Flambeau Lith Corporation |pages=10–14}}</ref>

The Fairchild 24 built by Kreider-Reisner Aircraft, a division of Fairchild Aviation Corporation, remained in production from 1932 to 1948, essentially the same airframe but with various powerplant and configuration enhancements. In all, Fairchild constructed over 1,500 Model 24s, with an additional 280 being constructed by the [[Texas Engineering & Manufacturing Company]] (TEMCO) in Dallas when that company purchased the manufacturing rights after World War II.

==Operational history==
[[File:Australian Fairchild 24 Argus.JPG|thumb|right|Australian Fairchild 24 Argus]]
In civil use, the aircraft was a quick sales success, with prominent businessmen and [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] actors purchasing the aircraft. In 1936, the US Navy ordered Model 24s designated as GK-1 research and instrument trainers. The type was also used by the US Army as a light transport and by the [[United States Coast Guard|Coast Guard]], with the designation J2K-1. The [[Civil Air Patrol]] operated many Fairchild UC-61/24s, and some aircraft were fitted with two 100-pound bombs for what became successful missions against [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[U-boat]]s off the east coast of the [[United States]] in the early stages of the [[World War II|Second World War]]. The UC-61 was also procured by the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] as the '''GK-1''' and by the British Royal Air Force as the '''Fairchild Argus.'''
[[File:Fairchild F-24R OO-GAO WW 10.09.54 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Fairchild UC-61K supplied as an Argus III to the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] in 1944 and sold to a civil owner in Belgium postwar]]
In 1941, the [[United States Army Air Forces]] (USAAF) placed an initial order for 163 Fairchild C-61s; however, via [[Lend-Lease]], 161 of these were shipped abroad. Under the auspices of this program, the majority of the 525 Warner Scarab Fairchild 24s/C-61s went to Great Britain. Most of these aircraft saw service as Argus Is and improved Argus IIs and were allocated to a newly formed adjunct of the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF), the [[Air Transport Auxiliary]] (ATA). An additional 306 Ranger-powered Argus IIIs were also used by the ATA. In British service, the majority of the Argus type operated with the ATA ferrying their aircrew to collect or deliver aircraft to and from manufacturers, Maintenance Units (MU)s and operational bases.

The Argus I was a Warner Scarab-equipped aircraft identified by its wind-driven generator located on the starboard struts, and was equipped with a black-painted propeller. The Argus II was also a Scarab-powered aircraft, usually with a [[glazing (window)|transparent]] cabin roof. This mark was certified for heavier operational weight than the Mark I and was identified by its yellow propeller. The Argus III was equipped with the six-cylinder inverted inline Ranger engine.

===Postwar===
[[File:Fairchild UC-61A Forwarder (Argus II) Private, STA Stauning, Denmark PP1181585264.jpg|thumb|UC-61A Forwarder/Argus II in private hands]]
The aircraft was used by small air charter operators for short-distance taxi work and many were acquired by private pilot owners. It served with military forces as diverse as [[Finland]], [[Thailand]], [[Israel]], [[Canada]], the United States and [[Australia]].

The last "new" Fairchild 24 was assembled in 1948 from a large inventory of leftover parts in Winfield, KS.<ref name="deering" />

Ten Fairchild F24R aircraft operated for [[Comair (South Africa)]] during the period after the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saamuseum.co.za/index.php/digital-books.html|title=Digital Books SAAMS|last=brenjen|website=www.saamuseum.co.za}}</ref>

==Civilian models==
{|class="wikitable sortable" 
|-
|+Civilian models<ref name="deering" />
|-
!Year produced
!Model
!Number built
!Engine
!Notes
|-
|1932||F-24 C8|| ||95-hp [[Cirrus Engine|American Cirrus]]||Gross wt 1,600&nbsp;lb, Cruise 90&nbsp;mph. Cost $3,360
|-
|1933||F-24 C8A||25 (includes C8)||125-hp [[Warner Scarab]]||Gross Wt. 1,800&nbsp;lb, Cruise 95&nbsp;mph, Cost $3,850
|-
|1933||F-24 C8B||2||125-hp [[Menasco Pirate|Menasco]]||Cost $3,990
|-
|1934||F-24 C8C||125||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Gross Wt. 2,400&nbsp;lb. Cost $5,000
|-
|1935||F-24 C8D||10||145-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||
|-
|1936||F-24 C8E||50||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||New cantilever tail. Cost $5,390
|-
|1936||F-24 C8F||40||145-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Cost $5,390
|-
|1937||F-24 G||100||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Cost $5,290
|-
|1937||F-24 H||25||150-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Cost $5,590
|-
|1938||F-24 J||10||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Gross Wt. 2,550&nbsp;lb. Increased size. Cruise 115&nbsp;mph
|-
|1939||F-24 K||60||145-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Increased size. Cruise 125&nbsp;mph. Cost $6,500
|-
|1939||F-24R9||35||165-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||
|-
|1939||F-24W9||30||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||
|-
|1940||F-24R40||25||175-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Cost $7,230
|-
|1940||F-24W40||75||145-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Cost $6,290
|-
|1941||F-24W41||30||165-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||
|-
|1941||UC-61||640||165-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Same as model W41
|-
|1942-43||UC-61A||364||165-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||
|-
|1944||UC-61K||306||200-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Gross Wt. 2,562&nbsp;lb. Same as model R40
|-
|1946||F-24R46|| ||175-hp [[Fairchild Ranger]]||Cruise 118&nbsp;mph. Price $8,875
|-
|1946||F-24W46||280 (includes R46)||165-hp [[Warner Scarab|Warner Super Scarab]]||Cost $8,500
|}

==Military variants==
[[File:Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder.png|thumb|right|A UC-61]]
;UC-61 Argus
:Military version of the Fairchild Model F24W-41 powered by a 165hp R-500-1, 161 built.
;UC-61A Argus
:Military version of the Fairchild Model F24W-41 with radio and 24-volt electrical system, 509 built and three impressed civilian aircraft.
;UC-61B
:One impressed Model 24J powered by a 145hp Warner Scarab radial.
;UC-61C
:One impressed Model 24R9.
;UC-61D
:Three impressed Model 51As.
;UC-61E
:Three impressed Model 24Ks.
;UC-61F
:Two impressed Model 24R9s.
;UC-61G
:Two impressed Model 24W-40s.
;UC-61H
:One impressed Model 24H powered by a 150hp Ranger 6-410-B.
;UC-61J
:One impressed Model 24-C8F two-seater, powered by a 150 hp Ranger 6-390-D3.

;UC-61K Forwarder
:Final production variant powered by a 200 hp L-440-7, 306 built.
[[File:Fairchild UC-86.jpg|thumb|right|A UC-86]]
;UC-86
:Nine impressed Model 24R-40s powered by 175 hp L-410.
;XUC-86A
:One modified Model 24R-9 powered by a 200 hp L-440.
[[File:Fairchild GK-1.jpg|thumb|right|A GK-1]]
;GK-1
:Thirteen Model 24W-40 impressed by the United States Navy.
;J2K-1
:United States Coast Guard version of the Model 24R, two built.
;J2K-2
:As J2K-1 with detailed changes, two built.
[[File:VH-CMB Fairchild Argus Mk.1 (24W-41A) (9257896064).jpg|thumb|Argus I cockpit]]
[[File:Fairchild Argus III ‘KK476’ (ZS-DEY) (22940897002).jpg|thumb|Fairchild Argus III]]
;Argus I
:[[Royal Air Force]] designation for the Model 24W-41 (UC-61), 118 under [[Lend-Lease]]
;Argus II
:Royal Air Force designation for the Model 24W-41A (UC-61 and UC-61A), 407 under Lend-Lease
;Argus III
:Royal Air Force designation for the Model 24R (UC-61K), 306 under Lend-Lease
;B.S.1
:({{langx|th|บ.ส.๑}}) [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] designation for the F-24J and F-24K.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Military Aircraft Designations |url=https://designation-systems.net/non-us/thailand.html |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=designation-systems.net}}</ref>

==Operators==
;{{AUS}}
*[[Royal Australian Air Force]]
;{{BRA}}
*[[NAB – Navegação Aérea Brasileira]] 
;{{flag|Canada|1921}}
*[[Royal Canadian Air Force]]
;{{CZS}}
* Czechoslovakian Security Aviation Unit
;{{ISR}}
*[[Sherut Avir]]
*[[Israeli Air Force]]
;{{ITA}}
*[[Italian Air Force]] operated 4 Fairchild UC-61K Argus received from Royal Air Force from 1947 until 1951<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm|title=Italian Air Force Aircraft Types|website=www.aeroflight.co.uk}}</ref>
;{{FIN}}
*[[Finnish Air Force]]
;{{Flag|South Africa|1928}}
*[[South African Air Force]] operated one aircraft 1939–1945.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/aircraft/11/f-24-argus-mk-iii|title = The South African Air Force}}</ref>
;{{SWE}}
*[[Swedish Air Force]]
;{{THA}}
*[[Royal Thai Air Force]]
;{{UK}}
*[[Royal Air Force]]
;{{flag|United States|1912}}
*[[United States Army Air Forces]]
*[[United States Marine Corps]]
*[[United States Navy]]
*[[United States Coast Guard]]
*[[Civil Air Patrol]]

==Accidents and incidents==
Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Hockey player [[Bill Barilko]] and his dentist Henry Hudson disappeared on August 26, 1951, aboard Hudson's Fairchild 24 floatplane, flying from Seal River, Quebec. On June 6, 1962, helicopter pilot Ron Boyd discovered the wreckage about 100 kilometres (62&nbsp;mi) north of Cochrane, Ontario, about 35 miles off course. The cause of the crash was deemed to have been a combination of pilot inexperience, poor weather and overloaded cargo.<ref>Hornby, Lance. [http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/20/the-legend-of-bill-barilko "The legend of Bill Barilko".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422181754/http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/20/the-legend-of-bill-barilko |date=2011-04-22 }} ''The Toronto Sun,'' April 20, 2011.</ref>

Alaskan missionary Harold L. Wood (1890–1944) died in his Fairchild 24 floatplane while landing near a logging camp at Kasaan Bay (30 miles northwest of [[Ketchikan]], Alaska) on 24 February 1944. The cause of the crash was deemed to have been a pilot's health problem.<ref>Owens, Fern Royer: ''Sky pilot of Alaska'', Pacific Press, Mountain View CA. 1959, p. 175</ref>

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Air Zoo December 2019 060 (Fairchild 24 K Forwarder).jpg|thumb|Fairchild 24 K Forwarder on display at the [[Air Zoo]]]]
[[File:RMM Brussel Fairchild Forwarder.JPG|thumb| Fairchild VC 61 K Forwarder in the Royal Military Museum, Brussels]]
[[File:Fairchild UC-61A Forwarder ‘FS628’ (G-AIZE) (33314724248).jpg|thumb|UC-61 painted as RAF Argus II at [[Royal Air Force Museum Midlands]]]]

* 206 – Fairchild 24 W on static display at the [[Museum of Flight]] in [[Seattle, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild 24W |url=http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/fairchild-24w |website=The Museum of Flight |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 2009 – Fairchild 24-C8 on display at the [[EAA Aviation Museum]] in [[Oshkosh, Wisconsin]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1933 Fairchild 24 Model C-8 - NC13191 |url=http://www.eaa.org/eaa-museum/museum-collection/aircraft-collection-folder/1933-fairchild-24-model-c-8---nc13191 |website=EAA |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 2724 – Fairchild 24-C8C on static display at the [[Hiller Aviation Museum]] in [[San Carlos, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft on Display |url=http://www.hiller.org/museum/aircraft-on-display |website=Hiller Aviation Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 2926 – Fairchild 24 G airworthy at the [[Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum]] in [[Hood River, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild 24G |url=http://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/airplanes/652-fairchild-24g |website=Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N23E] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=23E |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 2933 - Fairchild 24 G on display at the [[Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport]] in [[Anchorage, Alaska]].<ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N3212] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/NNum_results.aspx?NNumbertxt=3212 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref>
* 2987 – Fairchild 24 G on display at the [[Mid-Atlantic Air Museum]] in [[Reading, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aircraft of the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum |url=http://www.maam.org/aircraft/aircraft.htm |website=Mid-Atlantic Air Museum |access-date=7 July 2020 |archive-date=4 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204002154/http://www.maam.org/aircraft/aircraft.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 3101 – Fairchild 24-C8F on static display at the [[Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum]] in [[Flixton, The Saints|Flixton, Suffolk]].<ref>{{cite web |title=OUR AIRCRAFT |url=http://www.aviationmuseum.net/ouraircraft.htm |website=Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 3118 – Fairchild 24-C8F on static display at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] in [[Dayton, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild Model 24-C8F (UC-61J) |url=https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195812/fairchild-model-24-c8f-uc-61j/ |website=National Museum of the United States Air Force |access-date=7 July 2020 |date=11 August 2015}}</ref>
* 3224 – Fairchild 24 H on static display at the [[Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome]] in [[Red Hook, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Golden Age (1919-1940) |url=http://oldrhinebeck.org/golden-age |website=Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 3309 – Fairchild 24 K on display at the [[Air Zoo]] in [[Kalamazoo, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Golden Age of Aviation: 1919-1930s |url=http://www.airzoo.org/golden-age-of-aviation |website=Air Zoo |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N20627] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/NNum_results.aspx?NNumbertxt=20627 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 7033 – GK-1 on static display at the [[Tillamook Air Museum]] in [[Tillamook, Oregon]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild Gk-1 |url=http://www.tillamookair.com/fairchild-gk-1 |website=Tillamook Air Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 42-68852 – XUC-86A under restoration to airworthy condition by the [[Butler County Warbirds]] in [[Middletown, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild XUC-86A |url=http://www.bcwarbirds.com/fairchild-xuc-86a.html |website=Butler County Warbirds |access-date=22 May 2025}}</ref>
* 42-78040 – UC-68 airworthy at the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum in Hood River, Oregon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild UC-86 |url=http://www.waaamuseum.org/collections/airplanes/218-Fairchild-UC-86 |website=Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N48411] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=48411 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* 43-14601 – UC-61A on static display at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Midlands]] in [[Cosford, Shropshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild F-24 Argus |url=http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/collections/fairchild-f-24-argus |website=Royal Air Force Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* FK338 – Argus II on static display at the [[Yorkshire Air Museum]] in [[Elvington, City of York|Elvington, York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild Argus II |url=http://yorkshireairmuseum.org/exhibits/world-war-two-aircraft/fairchild-argus-ii |website=Yorkshire Air Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* KK527 (G-RGUS) – Fairchild Argus 24 R-46A from 1944 available for private hire at [[Fowlmere Airfield]], England<ref>{{cite web |url=https://britishaerobaticacademy.com/private-hire/fairchild-argus/ |title = Fairchild Argus - British Aerobatic Academy}}</ref>
* R46-129 – Fairchild 24 R-46 on display at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum in [[Hagerstown, Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1946 Fairchild 24 N81228 |url=http://www.hagerstownaviationmuseum.org/fairchild-24.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717005709/http://www.hagerstownaviationmuseum.org/fairchild-24.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 17, 2018 |website=Hagerstown Aviation Museum |access-date=7 July 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N81228] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=81228 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* R46-137 – Fairchild 24 R-46 on display at the Western North Carolina Air Museum in [[Hendersonville, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lilley |first1=Joseph W. |title=1946 FAIRCHILD 24-R |url=http://www.westernnorthcarolinaairmuseum.com/1946-fairchild-24-r.html |website=Western North Carolina Air Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* R46-250 – Fairchild 24 R airworthy at the [[Canadian Historical Aircraft Association]] in [[Windsor, Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild 24R Argus |url=http://www.ch2a.ca/copy-of-fairchild-24r-argus |website=Canadian Historical Aircraft Association |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Canadian Civil Aircraft Register: Aircraft Details [C-FGZL] |url=http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/ADet.aspx?id=12692 |website=Transport Canada |date = 28 August 2013|access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* W213 – Fairchild 24 airworthy at the [[Champaign Aviation Museum]] in [[Urbana, Ohio]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild F24 |url=http://www.champaignaviationmuseum.org/fairchildf24 |website=Champaign Aviation Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* W46295 – Fairchild 24 W-46 airworthy at the [[Combat Air Museum]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder (Argus III) 24-W46 (FAA Reg. Number N81395) |url=http://www.combatairmuseum.org/aircraft/fairchilduc61forwarder.html |website=Combat Air Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAA REGISTRY [N81395] |url=http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=81395 |website=Federal Aviation Administration |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* Fairchild 24 C8E in storage at the [[Reynolds-Alberta Museum]] in [[Wetaskiwin, Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation |url=http://reynoldsmuseum.ca/aviation |website=Reynolds Museum |access-date=7 July 2020}}</ref>
* Fairchild 24 S/N 305M-0001 Airworthy in the Fundación Aeronáutica Antonio Quintana in Madrid, Spain <ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation |url=https://www.faaq.es/fairchild-24/ |website=Fundacion Aeronáutica Antonio Quintana |access-date=8 August 2021}}</ref>
* Fairchild 24 C8C is under restoration at [[Air Heritage Aviation Museum]] in [[Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fairchild 24 Forwarder "Maggie's Pride" – Air Heritage Inc. |url=https://airheritage.org/aircraft/fairchild-24-forwarder-maggies-pride/ |access-date=2023-04-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder (c/n 0951) on static display at the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History]] in [[Brussels]].{{Cn|date=September 2024}}
* 24W46 G-SEDC in flying condition in the UK.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Specifications (UC-61)==
{{multiple image
 |total_width = 500
 | image1 = Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder 3-view line drawing.png
 | alt1 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder
 | caption1 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder
 | image2 = Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder 3-view line drawing.png
 | alt2 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder
 | caption2 = 3-view line drawing of the Fairchild UC-61K Forwarder
}}

{{Aircraft specs
|ref={{Citation needed|date=April 2010}}
|prime units?=kts
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= one
|capacity=three passengers
|length m=7.27
|span m=11.08
|height m=2.34
|wing area sqft=193
|empty weight lb=1,813
|max takeoff weight lb=2,882
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Ranger L-440-5]]
|eng1 type=6-cyl. inverted air-cooled in-line piston engine
|eng1 hp=200
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kts=108
|range nmi=404
|ceiling ft=12,700
}}

== Notable appearances ==
'''In literature'''

Fairchild 24 was mentioned by [[Richard Bach]] in his memoirs «Biplane» written in 1966.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bach |first=Richard |title=Biplane: A Narrative Journey Across the Country and Across the Years in an Antique Plane |publisher=Harper & Row |year=1966 |edition=1st |location=New York |pages=163 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Library of Congress: Book Biplane |url=https://catalog.loc.gov/vwebv/holdingsInfo?searchId=14528&recCount=25&recPointer=25&bibId=4533230 |website=Library of Congress}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Aviation}}
{{aircontent|
|related=
*[[Fairchild 22]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Cessna Airmaster]]
* [[Howard DGA-15]]
* [[Monocoupe 90]]
* [[Stinson Reliant]]
* [[Waco Standard Cabin series]]
|sequence=
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
|see also=
}}

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite magazine|last=Elliot|first=Bryn|title=Bears in the Air: The US Air Police Perspective |magazine=[[Air Enthusiast]]|date=March–April 1997|issue=68|pages=46–51 |issn=0143-5450}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline|Fairchild 24}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Articles and topics related to the Fairchild 24
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{{Fairchild aircraft}}
{{USAF transports}}
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{{USN utility aircraft}}
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{{ADF aircraft designations}}
{{Czech liaison aircraft}}
{{Thai liaison aircraft designations}}
}}

[[Category:Fairchild aircraft|24]]
[[Category:High-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s United States civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:STOL aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1932]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]