Fairey Aviation Company were tasked with providing an aircraft specifically designed for use on aircraft carriers and capital ships. The Flycatcher, a single seat tractor biplane fighter, was the result. It was manufactured with standard landing gear which could be replaced with floats and used off catapults on the battleships. The innovative design had flaps along both wing trailing edges which allowed the aircraft a very short take-off and landing distance, around 50yd of deck space. It was armed with two synchronised Vickers Mk.II machine guns fitted externally either side of the cockpit.

The type entered service in 1923 with the Fleet Air Arm and eventually all British carriers were equipped. Only 196 were produced and remained in service until 1934. It was popular as it was easy to fly, quite small and robust. It served in all theatres of British naval presence but only saw action against Chinese pirates in the seas off Hong Kong.

No aircraft have survived unfortunately but the FAA museum in Yeovilton, England houses a superb replica built in 1977.