Fairey Fulmar, part five

During 1942 the Fairey Fulmar was being gradually replaced by single-seat aircraft adapted for naval use, like the Hawker Sea-Hurricane, the Supermarine Seafire or the American Grumman Martlet. The Fulmar figured prominently in the Mediterranean during the years 1941 and 1942 as the Fleet Air Arm's (FAA) main fighter protecting most of the convoys sailed to Malta during those years. Sixteen Fulmar were on board HMS Victorious (R38) during Operation Pedestal, which turned to be their last major operation. The Fulmar continued to operate as a night escort-fighter for convoys and in the intruder role. It was also used to trainer crews for the Fairey Firefly which was introduced in 1943. After their withdrawal from the fighter role, the Fulmar were used to perform long-range reconnaissance missions. According to its pilots, the flight characteristics were pleasant as its widely spaced undercarriage provided good deck handling and the type enjoyed excellent fuel capacity and range. Many FAA's aces scored some of their victories while flying the Fulmar, with the first pilot to achieve five kills (the minimum enough required to be considered as an ace) being Sub.Lt. Jackie Sewell.
At its peak, twenty squadrons were equipped with the Fulmar. It flew from eight aircraft carriers and five escort carriers. No.237 Squadron RAF operated them for some months in 1942 from China Bay, in Ceylon, where they saw action during the Japanese raid that took place on 9th April 1942, with half of the squadron's personnel being from the Royal Navy. In total, the Fulmar was recorded having destroyed a total of 112 enemy aircraft for the cost of 40 Fulmar lost, making the type the leading one in terms of aircraft shot down to be operated by the FAA during the World War 2. In February 1945, the Fulmar was officially withdrawn from front line service, with the last operational aircraft, an Mk.II night fighter from 813 Naval Air Squadron being written off after sustaining heavy damage in a landing accident at the safety barrier on board of HMS Campania (D48).
Around 100 Fulmar were converted to the Mk.II Night Fighter variant, but the type was just moderately successful and some of the earlier variants of the aircraft also operated from Catapult Aircraft Merchant (CAM) ships.
A single machine, registered as N1854, was upgraded to Mk.II standards and re-registered as G-AIBE, to be used by Fairey Aviation Company for some time after the war. During June 1959 it was painted back to service markings to be seen at Farnborough at the SBAC show which took place on 8th September 1962. The last flight of this machine was conducted three months later, on 18th December 1962. Ten years later, in 1972, the aircraft was presented to the Fleet Air Arm's Museum, where it has been preserved and it's nowadays in static display.

Sources:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Fulmar
2. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Fulmar-Mk-I-t951
3. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Fulmar-Mk-II-t40358
4. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Fulmar-NF-Mk-II-t180813
5. Osprey Publishing - Aircraft of the Aces 75 - Royal Navy Aces of World War 2
6. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 41 - Fairey Fulmar
7. Salamander Books - The Complete Book of Fighters