Possessing a substantial resemblance to the earlier Fairey Battle, the Fulmar prototype was an aerodynamically cleaner aircraft and featured a folding wing that was shorter. On 13 January 1937, the prototype P.4/34 serial number "K5099" conducted its maiden flight at Fairey Aviation's Great West Aerodrome (this site has since been occupied by London Heathrow Airport), the Fairey test pilot Chris Staniland was at the controls. Shortly after the initial flight tests, the tail was elevated by . During 1938, the name "Fulmar" was picked for the type, although this was not announced until deliveries of the type commenced during 1940.