Fairey test-pilot Peter Twiss flew the first FD2, WG774, on its maiden flight on 6 October 1954. On the 10 March 1956 an attempt was made on the World Air Speed Record, which Twiss broke by more than 300mph. The new record was 1132mph - quite an achievement considering the old record had only been set the previous year by an American F100 Super Sabre. Only two Fairy Delta 2's were built.