The Fairey ‘G’ model code named Gordon started production on 3 March 1932 which were mainly IIID–F air frames engineered with a new and more powerful power plant being a 535 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther radial 14 cylinder engine. The earliest 1918 versions were of wooden construction, that were later with a new specification redesigned into all metal construction of which 964 were built in all versions until retired in 1942.

Many IIID - Fs were converted into Gordon models by changing their inline Lion Napier engines into Armstrong Siddeley Panthers.

Primary users were the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arms of the British Empire even though many were sold and exported to other allied nations.

These aircraft were affectionately termed the ‘workhorse’ of the British Empires Air and Naval forces for most of the Interwar years and even had to be brought out of target towing and pilot training duties in 1942 to defend their RAF base, Habbaniya Iraq, from the Nazi backed Iraqi siege until the British were able to airlift Indian troops in to relieve the embattled garrison.
All versions of this venerable aircraft were used in many variants such as land wheel, float, catapult from main battle ships to being the mainstay aircraft with folding wings of the earliest British aircraft carriers.

Many were sold or transferred to other Air Forces because of their ease of maintenance and the versatility they provided and some even went onto civilian careers for photographic surveying – this role was used by the FAA to assist the 1928 Chinese Government in the Yantze River Floods.

The Fairey IIIF was the stead of choice for the then Prince of Wales , later King Edward the XIII^th when serving and learning to fly in the 1930's for the British Air and Naval Forces.