 |
|
|
|
| History:
When British naval intelligence determined that a large number of Italian warships lay at anchor in Taranto harbor in November 1940, an attack was organized, to be carried out by 21 single-engine carrier-based biplanes. The operation was a huge success -- three battleships were severely damaged, a cruiser and two destroyers were hit, and two other vessels were sunk. In the space of one hour the balance of naval power in the Mediterranean had been altered forever. |
|
 |
The unlikely cause of this destruction was one of the warplane legends of World War Two, the Fairey Swordfish Mk.1, first flown on 17 April 1934. It was a three-man torpedo-bomber and reconnaissance biplane with a basic structure of fabric-covered metal. The wings folded for storage on the crowded deck of an aircraft carrier. Armament included one forward-firing Vickers machine gun and one swiveling Vickers in the rear cockpit. Primary offensive power took the form of depth charges, mines, bombs or, especially, a torpedo.
|
 |
Unfortunately, this outstanding plane was too slow to withstand the punishment of German anti-aircraft fire. Long, accurate approaches to the target made the Swordfish very vulnerable when delivering its torpedo. Thus came re-deployment in an anti-submarine warfare role, using depth charges and, later, rockets. |
 |
As with many wartime aircraft, Swordfish were produced by more than one manufacturer. Well over half (almost 1700) were built by the Blackburn company in Sherburn in Elmet, UK. |
 |
The Mk II model was introduced in 1943, and featured strengthened and metal-skinned lower wings to allow the firing of rockets from underneath. Later that year, the Mk III appeared, which featured a large ASV anti-submarine radar unit mounted between the landing gear legs which allowed detection of submarines up to 40 km away. |
 |
For operation over the cold waters of Canada, the Swordfish Mk IV was fitted with an enclosed cabin. |
 |
When production ended in 1944, the Swordfish had had been introduced into a full range of duties for the fleet: Torpedo-bomber, minelayer, convoy escort, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and training craft. Today, four Swordfish are airworthy -- two in Britain and two in Canada. |
 |
Nicknames: Stringbag; Blackfish (Blackburn-built Swordfish)
|
 |
Specifications (MKII) Engine: One 750-hp Bristol Pegasus XXX 9-cylinder radial piston engine |
 |
Weight: Empty 4,700 lbs., Max Takeoff 7,510 lbs. |
 |
Wing Span: 45ft. 6in. Length: 35ft. 8in. Height: 12ft. 4in. |
 |
Performance: Maximum Speed: 138 mph Ceiling: 10,700 ft. Range: 1,030 miles |
 |
Armament: |
 |
Number Built: 2,391 |
 |
Number Still Airworthy: Four |
 |
