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Swordfish - Aircraft Profile - Fairey : Swordfish

Swordfish

Manufacturer : Fairey
Number Built : 2399
Production Began :
Retired :
Type :

Torpedo bomber and reconnaissance biplane, crewed by three, with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. Maximum ceiling 19,000 feet, reduced as a float plane. Armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit. One 1610lb torpedo or up to 1500lb bomb load. At the outbreak of world war two the fleet air arm had 13 operational squadrons. The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major contributions to naval warfare, during the Norwegian campaign, and especially during the raid on Taranto. In November1940, twenty Swordfish took off from HMS Illustrious to attack the Italian fleet in their Harbour of Taranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their targets. Seven Italian ships were badly damaged including the battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. This was followed in February 1942, by a heroic but suicidal attack on German battlecruisers in the English Channel by six Swordfish of 825 squadron from RAF Manston. All aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the torpedo attack on the Bismarck by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of the German battleship by Royal Navy battleships. The Fairey Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles. The Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in the same role. By the end of the war the Fleet Air Arm still had nine active squadrons, but these were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399 Swordfish were built.

Swordfish


Latest Swordfish Artwork Releases !
 The German ships Prinz Eugen, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are attacked by Swordfish torpedo bombers during <i>The Channel Dash</i>.  None of the aircraft would return to base on this mission.

The Channel Dash - Swordfish Attack by Jason Askew. (P)
 Captured in portrait is one of the survivors of the sinking of the mighty German battleship Bismarck, Bruno Rzonca, set against the scene of a Swordfish aircraft  attacking the ship.

Bismarck Survivor by Jason Askew. (P)
 Swordfish of No.825 Sqn FAA attack the might German ship Prinz Eugen during <i>The Channel Dash</i>.

The Channel Dash - Prinz Eugen. (P)


Swordfish Attack on the Bismarck. (P)

Swordfish Artwork Collection



Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear.


Safe Return by Ivan Berryman.


Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman.


Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.


Bismarck and Swordfish by Jason Askew. (P)


Swordfish Strike on U-451 by Jason Askew. (P)


Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P)


Swordfish Attack on the Bismarck. (P)


The Channel Dash - Prinz Eugen. (P)


Bismarck Survivor by Jason Askew. (P)


The Channel Dash - Swordfish Attack by Jason Askew. (P)


Clipped Signature - Charles Lamb.


Clipped Signature - Sir Richard Janvrin.


Clipped Signature - Michael Haworth.


Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.


Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders


Out of Alex by David Pentland.


HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson.


Bismarck by Ivan Berryman.


HMS Glorious by Ivan Berryman.


Against All Odds - Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.


Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West.


Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor.

Flight Against the Bismarck by Philip West.


Operation Judgement by Philip West.


Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West.


On a Wing and a Prayer by Philip West.


Last Man Away by Ivan Berryman.


To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson.


Viceless Lady by Ivan Berryman. (GS)

War in a Stringbag by Charles Lamb.

Fairey Swordfish and Albacore by W A Harrison.

Swordfish Over the QE2 by Chris Woods.


Launch Against the Bismarck by Robert Taylor.


Sink the Bismarck by Stan Stokes.