Fairey Swordfish

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The Fairey Swordfish is a retired biplane torpedo bomber, designed by the Fairey Aviation Company. Originating in the early 1930s, the Swordfish, nicknamed "Stringbag", was principally operated by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy. It was also used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), as well as several overseas operators, including the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Royal Netherlands Navy. It was initially operated primarily as a fleet attack aircraft. During its later years, the Swordfish was increasingly used for anti-submarine and training duties. The type was in frontline service throughout the Second World War.

Despite being obsolescent, the Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes during the war, including sinking one battleship and damaging two others belonging to the Regia Marina (the Italian navy) during the Battle of Taranto, and the famous attack on the German battleship Bismarck, which contributed to her eventually being sunk. Swordfishes sank a greater tonnage of Axis shipping than any other Allied aircraft during the war.<ref name = "stott 21"/> The Swordfish remained in front-line service until V-E Day, having outlasted some of the aircraft intended to replace it.

Development

Origins

In 1933 Fairey, who were experienced in the design and construction of naval aircraft, began development of an entirely new three-seat naval aircraft, intended for the twin roles of aerial reconnaissance and torpedo bomber.<ref name = "stott 21">Stott 1971, p. 21.</ref> Receiving the internal designation of T.S.R. I, standing for Torpedo-Spotter-Reconnaissance I, the proposed design was a biplane powered by a single 645 hp Bristol Pegasus IIM radial engine. The company initially chose to pursue the project as a self-financed private venture while both customers and applicable requirements for the type were sought.<ref name = "stott 21"/> Development of the T.S.R. I was in parallel to Fairey's activities upon Air Ministry Specification S.9/30, for which the company was at one point developing a separate but broadly similar aircraft, but powered by a Rolls-Royce Kestrel engine and having a different fin and rudder configuration.<ref name = "stott 21 22">Stott 1971, pp. 21–22.</ref>

File:IWM-L94 Swordfish repair 205196340.jpg
Workers carrying out salvage and repair work on a wing of a Swordfish

Significant contributions to the T.S.R.I's development came from Fairey's independent design work on a proposed aircraft for the Greek Naval Air Service, which had asked for a replacement for the Fairey IIIF Mk.IIIB, and from British Air Ministry specifications M.1/30 and S.9/30.<ref name = "stott 22">Stott 1971, p. 22.</ref> Fairey promptly informed the Air Ministry of its work for the Greeks, whose interest had waned, and proposed its solution to the requirements for a spotter-reconnaissance plane ("spotter" referring to the activity of observing and directing a warship's Fall of shot). In 1934 the Air Ministry issued the more advanced Specification S.15/33, which added the torpedo bomber role.<ref name = "stott 22"/>

The prototype, F1875, made its maiden flight from Great West Aerodrome, Heathrow on 21 March 1933, flown by Chris Staniland.<ref name = "stott 22"/> F1875 made various flights, including several while re-engined with an Armstrong Siddeley Tiger radial engine before it was refitted with the Pegasus engine. On 11 September 1933, F1875 was lost during a series of spinning tests in which it became unable to recover; the pilot survived the incident.<ref name = "stott 22"/> Prior to this, the prototype had exhibited favourable performance, which contributed to the subsequent decision to proceed with the more advanced T.S.R II prototype, which had been specifically developed to conform with the newly issued Specification S.15/33.<ref name = "stott 22"/>

On 17 April 1934, the prototype T.S.R II, K4190, made its first flight, flown by Staniland.<ref name = "stott 22"/> Compared to the previous prototype, K4190 had a more powerful version of the Pegasus, an additional bay in the rear fuselage to counteract spin tendencies, and the upper wing was slightly swept back to account for the increased length of the fuselage. During the ensuing flight test programme, K4190 was transferred to Fairey's factory in Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire, where it was fitted with a twin-float undercarriage in place of its original land-only counterpart; on 10 November 1934, the first flight of K4190 in this new configuration was performed.<ref name = "stott 22"/> Following successful water-handling trials, K4190 conducted a series of aircraft catapult and recovery tests aboard the battlecruiser HMS Repulse. K4190 was later restored to its wheeled undercarriage prior to an extensive evaluation process by the Aeroplane and Armament Experimental Establishment at RAF Martlesham Heath.<ref name = "stott 22 23">Stott 1971, pp. 22–23.</ref>

In 1935, following the successful completion of testing at Martlesham, an initial pre-production order for three aircraft was placed by the Air Ministry; it was at this point that the T.S.R II received the name Swordfish.<ref name = "stott 23">Stott 1971, p. 23.</ref> All three pre-production aircraft were powered by the Pegasus IIIM3 engine, but had a three-bladed Fairey-Reed propeller in place of the two-bladed propeller used on the prototype. On 31 December 1935 the first pre-production Swordfish, K5660, made its maiden flight.<ref name = "stott 23"/> On 19 February 1936, the second pre-production aircraft, K5661, became the first to be delivered; the final pre-production aircraft, K5662, was completed as a floatplane configuration and underwent water-based service trials at the Marine Aircraft Experimental Establishment at Felixstowe, Suffolk.<ref name = "stott 23"/>

Production and further development

File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A3536.jpg
A Swordfish I during a training flight from RNAS Crail, circa 1939–1945

In early 1936 a production contract for 68 aircraft was received, as the Swordfish I.<ref name = "stott 23"/> Manufactured at Fairey's factory in Hayes, West London, the first production aircraft was completed in early 1936 and the type entered service with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) in July 1936.<ref name = "stott 23"/> By early 1940, Fairey was busy with the Swordfish and other types such as the new Fairey Albacore torpedo bomber.<ref name = "stott 24">Stott 1971, p. 24.</ref> The Admiralty approached Blackburn Aircraft with a proposal that manufacture of the Swordfish be transferred to them; Blackburn then set up a new fabrication and assembly facility in Sherburn-in-Elmet, North Yorkshire.<ref name = "stott 24 25">Stott 1971, pp. 24–25.</ref> Less than a year later, the first Blackburn-built Swordfish made its first flight. During 1941 the Sherburn factory assumed primary responsibility for the fuselage, along with final assembly and testing of finished aircraft.<ref name = "stott 25">Stott 1971, p. 25. Blackburn-built Swordfish were nicknamed 'Blackfish'.</ref>

Efforts were made to disperse production and to use shadow factories to minimise the damage caused by Luftwaffe bombing raids.<ref name = "stott 25"/> Major sub-assemblies were produced by four subcontractors based in neighbouring Leeds. Initial deliveries from Sherburn were completed to the Swordfish I standard; from 1943 onwards, the improved Swordfish II and Swordfish III came into production and superseded the original model.<ref name = "stott 25"/> The Swordfish II carried ASV Mk. II radar and the lower wings had metal undersurfaces to allow the use of 3-inch rockets. Later-built models also had the more powerful Pegasus XXX engine. The Swordfish III was fitted with centimetric ASV Mk.XI radar mounted between the undercarriage legs, precluding carrying torpedoes, and retained the Pegasus XXX powerplant.<ref name = "stott 25"/>

Production of the Swordfish ended on 18 August 1944.<ref name = "stott 26">Stott 1971, p. 26.</ref> Almost 2,400 aircraft had been built, 692 having been constructed by Fairey and a further 1,699 by Blackburn at their Sherburn facility. The most numerous version of the Swordfish was the Mark II, of which 1,080 were completed.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Design

The Fairey Swordfish was a medium-sized biplane torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft with a fabric-covered metal airframe. It had folding wings. In service, it received the nickname Stringbag; this was not due to its profusion of struts, spars, and braces, but a reference to the seemingly endless variety of stores and equipment that the type was cleared to carry. Crews likened the aircraft to a housewife's string shopping bag, common at the time and which could accommodate contents of any shape.<ref>Lamb 2001</ref>

The primary weapon of the Swordfish was the aerial torpedo, but the low speed of the aircraft and the need for a long straight approach made it difficult to attack well-defended targets. Swordfish torpedo doctrine called for an approach at Template:Convert followed by a dive to torpedo release altitude of Template:Convert.<ref name="Proceedings">Emmott, Norman W. "Airborne Torpedoes". United States Naval Institute Proceedings, August 1977.</ref> Maximum range of the early Mark XII torpedo was Template:Convert at Template:Convert and Template:Convert at Template:Convert.<ref name="Campbell">Campbell 1985, p. 87.</ref> The torpedo travelled Template:Convert forward from release to water impact, and needed another Template:Convert to stabilise at preset depth and arm itself. Ideal release distance was Template:Convert from the target.<ref name= "Proceedings"/>

The Swordfish could also be used as a dive-bomber. During 1939, Swordfish on board HMS Glorious participated in a series of dive-bombing trials, during which 439 practice bombs were dropped at dive angles of 60, 67 and 70 degrees, against the target ship HMS Centurion. Tests against a stationary target showed an average error of Template:Convert from a release height of Template:Convert and a dive angle of 70 degrees; tests against a manoeuvring target showed an average error of Template:Convert from a drop height of Template:Convert and a dive angle of 60 degrees.<ref>Smith, p. 66.</ref>

After more modern torpedo attack aircraft were developed, the Swordfish was redeployed successfully in an anti-submarine role, armed with depth charges or eight 60 lb (27 kg) RP-3 rockets and flying from the smaller escort carriers, or even merchant aircraft carriers (MACs) when equipped for rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO).<ref name="Smith">Template:Cite book</ref> Its low stall speed and inherently tough design made it ideal for operation from the MACs in the often severe mid-Atlantic weather. Indeed, its takeoff and landing speeds were so low that, unlike most carrier-based aircraft, it did not require the carrier to be steaming into the wind. On occasion, when the wind was right, Swordfish were flown from a carrier at anchor.<ref name="wragg">Wragg 2003, p. 142.</ref>

Operational history

Introduction

File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CL2290.jpg
A formation of three Swordfish IIIs of No. 119 Squadron RAF over the North Sea, 1939–1945

In July 1936, the Swordfish entered service with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA), which was then part of the RAF; 825 Naval Air Squadron was the first squadron to receive the type.<ref name = "stott 23"/> The Swordfish began replacing both the Fairey Seal in the spotter-reconnaissance role and the Blackburn Baffin in the torpedo bomber role, competing with the Blackburn Shark in the combined role.<ref name = "stott 23"/> Initially, the Shark replaced the Seal in the spotter-reconnaissance squadrons and the Swordfish replaced the Baffin in torpedo squadron, after which the Shark was quickly replaced by the Swordfish. For nearly two years during the late 1930s, the Swordfish was the sole torpedo bomber aircraft used by the FAA.<ref name = "stott 23"/>

By the eve of war in September 1939, the FAA, which had been transferred to Royal Navy control, had 13 operational squadrons equipped with the Swordfish I.<ref name = "stott 23"/> There were also three flights of Swordfish equipped with floats, for use with catapult-equipped warships. After the outbreak of the Second World War, 26 FAA Squadrons were equipped with the Swordfish. More than 20 second-line squadrons also operated the Swordfish for training.<ref name = "stott 23 24">Stott 1971, pp. 23–24.</ref> During the early months of the war, the Swordfish operated in mostly uneventful fleet protection and convoy escort missions.<ref name = "stott 26"/>

Norwegian campaign

File:A Fairey Swordfish being hoisted aboard HMS MALAYA, October 1941. A5694.jpg
A Swordfish floatplane, of the type that sank the U-64. This one is being hoisted aboard the battleship HMS Malaya in October 1941

The Swordfish first saw combat on 11 April 1940, during the Norwegian campaign. Several Swordfish aircraft were launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Furious to torpedo several German vessels reported to be anchoring at Trondheim. The Swordfish found only two enemy destroyers at Trondheim, scoring one hit in the first attack of the war by torpedo-carrying aircraft.<ref name = "stott 26"/>

On 13 April 1940, just before the Second Battle of Narvik, a Swordfish floatplane was launched from the battleship Template:HMS to search for German ships.<ref name="Dickens1974 119 123">Template:Cite book</ref> The crew reported seeing several German destroyers, and also spotted the Template:GS anchored close to the shore in Herjangsfjord. They dived to Template:Convert and dropped two Template:Convert anti-submarine bombs; one hit and sank the submarine.<ref name="Dickens1974 119 123" /> This was the first U-boat to be destroyed by an FAA aircraft in the war.<ref name = "stott 26 28">Stott 1971, pp. 26, 28.</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Later that day a force of ten Swordfish were dispatched from HMS Furious to attack the German destroyers with 250lb bombs. They scored no hits and two aircraft were shot down; the crew of one were lost and the crew of the other were picked up after making a forced landing.<ref name="Dickens1974 131 134">Template:Cite book</ref> During the battle, eight German destroyers were sunk or scuttled with no British ships lost.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

After the Second Battle of Narvik, Swordfish continually bombed ships, land facilities, and parked enemy aircraft around Narvik.<ref name = "stott 28">Stott 1971, p. 28.</ref> Anti-submarine patrols and aerial reconnaissance missions were also flown despite difficult terrain and inhospitable weather, which proved especially challenging for aircrew in the Swordfish's open cockpit. For many Swordfish crews, this campaign marked their first combat missions and nighttime landings upon aircraft carriers.<ref name = "stott 28"/>

Mediterranean operations

File:HMS Ark Royal h79167.jpg
A Swordfish taking off from the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, with another passing by astern, circa 1939

On 14 June 1940, soon after the Italian declaration of war, nine Swordfish of 767 Naval Air Squadron stationed in Hyeres, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France took off for the first Allied bombing raid upon Italian soil.<ref name = "stott 31">Stott 1971, p. 31.</ref> Four days later, 767 Squadron relocated to Bone, Algeria before being split, the training elements returning to Britain while the operational portion proceeded to RAF Hal Far on Malta, where it was re-numbered as 830 Naval Air Squadron. On 30 June, operations re-commenced with an opening night raid upon oil tanks at Augusta, Sicily.<ref name = "stott 31"/>

On 3 July 1940, the Swordfish was one of the main weapons used during the Attack on Mers-el-Kébir, an attack by the Royal Navy upon the French Navy fleet stationed at Oran, French Algeria to prevent the vessels falling into German hands.<ref name = "stott 31"/> Twelve Swordfish from 810 and 820 Naval Air Squadrons launched from the aircraft carrier Template:HMS and made three sorties against the anchored fleet. The torpedo attack, which crippled the French battleship Dunkerque and damaged other vessels, demonstrated that capital ships could be effectively attacked while in harbour; it was also the first time in history that the Royal Navy had won a battle without the use of gunfire.<ref name = "stott 31"/>

Shortly after Mers-el-Kébir a detachment of three Swordfish were sent to support British Army operations in the Western Desert in response to a request for torpedo aircraft to destroy hostile naval units operating off the coast of Libya.<ref name = "stott 31"/> On 22 August the three aircraft destroyed two U-boats, one destroyer and a replenishment ship in the Gulf of Bomba, Libya, using only three torpedoes.<ref name = "stott 31 34">Stott 1971, pp. 31, 34.</ref>

On 11 November 1940 Swordfish flying from Template:HMS achieved great success in the Battle of Taranto.<ref name = "stott 34">Stott 1971, p. 34.</ref> The main fleet of the Italian Navy was based at Taranto in southern Italy; in light of the success of the earlier attack upon the French Navy at Mers-el-Kébir, members of the Admiralty sought another victory under similar conditions. The Royal Navy had conducted extensive preparations, with some planning having taken place as early as 1938, when war between the European powers had already seemed inevitable.<ref name = "stott 34"/> Regular aerial reconnaissance missions were flown to gather intelligence on the positions of specific capital ships and Swordfish crews were intensively trained for night flying operations, as an undetected aerial attack during the night raid had been judged to be the only effective method of reasonably overcoming the defences of the well-protected harbour and to strike at the fleet anchored there.<ref name = "stott 34"/>

Originally scheduled for 21 October 1940, the Taranto raid was delayed until 11 November to allow for reinforcements to arrive and other commitments to be met.<ref name = "stott 34"/> The aerial attack started with flares being dropped to illuminate the harbour, after which the Swordfish began bomb and torpedo runs. Due to the presence of barrage balloons and torpedo nets restricting the number of suitable torpedo-dropping positions, many of the Swordfish had been armed with bombs and made a synchronised attack upon the cruisers and destroyers instead.<ref name = "stott 34"/> The six torpedo-armed Swordfish inflicted serious damage on three of the battleships. Two cruisers, two destroyers and other vessels were damaged or sunk.<ref name = "stott 34 37">Stott 1971, pp. 34, 37.</ref> The high manoeuvrability of the Swordfish enabled the aircraft to evade intense anti-aircraft fire and hit the Italian ships.<ref name = "stott 37">Stott 1971, p. 37.</ref> The Battle of Taranto firmly established that naval aircraft were independently capable of immobilising an entire fleet and were therefore an effective means of altering the balance of power.<ref name = "stott 34"/> The Japanese assistant naval attaché to Berlin, Takeshi Naito, visited Taranto to view the consequences of the attack; he later briefed the staff who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor.<ref>Lowry and Wellham 2000, p. 92.</ref>

On 28 March 1941, a pair of Swordfish based at Crete contributed to the disabling of the Italian cruiser Pola during the Battle of Cape Matapan.<ref name = "stott 37"/>

In May 1941 six Swordfish based at Shaibah, near Basra, Iraq, participated in the suppression of a revolt in the region, widely known now as the Anglo-Iraqi War. The aircraft made dive bombing attacks on Iraqi barracks, fuel storage tanks and bridges.<ref name = "stott 37"/>

The Swordfish also made many anti-shipping sorties in the Mediterranean, many being based at Malta.<ref name = "stott 31"/> Guided by aerial reconnaissance, the attacks were timed to arrive at enemy convoys in the dark to elude German fighters, which were restricted to daytime operations. While there were never more than a total of 27 Swordfish aircraft stationed on the island at any one time, the type succeeded in sinking an average of 50,000 tons of enemy shipping per month over a nine-month period.<ref name = "stott 31"/> During one record month, 98,000 tons of shipping were reportedly lost to the island's Swordfish. The recorded Swordfish losses were low, especially considering the high sortie rate of the aircraft and the lack of any blind-flying equipment, making night flying even more hazardous.<ref name = "stott 31"/>

Atlantic operations

File:Swordfish on HMS Victorious before strike on Bismarck.jpg
Swordfish on the after deck of HMS Victorious, 24 May 1941. The next day, nine Swordfish from Victorious attacked Bismarck.

In May 1941, Swordfish helped pursue and sink the German battleship Template:Ship. On 24 May, nine Swordfish from Template:HMS flew a late night sortie against the Bismarck under deteriorating weather conditions. Using ASV radar, the flight were able to spot and attack the ship, resulting in a single torpedo hit that only caused minor damage.<ref name = "stott 37"/>Template:Sfn

On 26 May, Ark Royal launched two Swordfish strikes against Bismarck. The first failed to locate the ship. The second attack scored two torpedo hits, one of which jammed the ship's rudders at a 12° port helm.<ref>Kennedy 2002, p. 166.</ref> This made Bismarck unmanoeuvrable and unable to escape to port in France. She sank after intense Royal Navy attack within 13 hours.<ref name = "stott 38">Stott 1971, p. 38.</ref> Some of the Swordfish flew so low that most of BismarckTemplate:'s flak weapons could not depress enough to hit them.<ref>Kennedy 2002, pp. 112, 165.</ref>

Throughout 1942, the Swordfish was progressively transferred away from the Royal Navy's fleet carriers as newer strike aircraft, such as the Fairey Albacore and Fairey Barracuda, were introduced.<ref name = "stott 38"/> In the submarine-hunter role, the Swordfish contributed to the Battle of the Atlantic, detecting and attacking the roaming U-boat packs that preyed upon merchant shipping between Britain and North America and in support of the Arctic convoys which delivered supplies from Britain to Russia.<ref name = "stott 38"/> Swordfish attacked submarines directly and guided destroyers to their locations. During one convoy battle, Swordfish from the escort carriers Template:HMS and Template:HMS flew over 1,000 hours on anti-submarine patrols in 10 days.<ref name = "stott 38"/>

One of the more innovative uses of the Swordfish was its role with merchant aircraft carriers ("MAC ships"). These were 20 civilian cargo or tanker ships modified to carry three or four aircraft each on anti-submarine duties with convoys. Three of these vessels were Dutch-manned, and several Swordfish of 860 (Dutch) Naval Air Squadron were typically deployed on board. The others were manned by aircrew from 836 Naval Air Squadron. At one time this was the largest squadron operating the type, with 91 aircraft.

Indian Ocean

In March and April 1941, during the East African campaign, Swordfish from HMS Eagle's 813 and 824 Naval Air Squadrons, operating from shore bases, were used against Italian land and naval targets in Massawa, East Africa. On 2 April 1941 four Italian destroyers, attempting to escape from Massawa, were attacked at sea by the Swordfish; the Nazario Sauro and Daniele Manin were sunk in dive-bombing attacks. The other two Italian destroyers, Pantera and Tigre were heavily damaged and driven ashore at Jedda and later destroyed by HMS Kingston.<ref>Harrison 1987, pp.61-62</ref>

In 1942, Swordfish of 810 and 829 Squadrons on HMS Illustrious took part in the Battle of Madagascar. They dropped dummy paratroopers in support of the initial landings.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> They later conducted anti-ship and anti-submarine operations in Diego Suarez Bay and bombed land targets in support of land operations during Operation Ironclad.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In the later Operation Jane, Swordfish were ready to support the attack on Tamatave, but in the event the town surrendered before they were needed.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Home front

During early 1940, Swordfish aircraft of 812 Squadron under RAF Coastal Command started a campaign against enemy ports along the English Channel.<ref name = "stott 28"/> The aircraft routinely sortied to drop naval mines near such harbours. To increase range, additional fuel tanks were installed in the crew area and the third crew member was left behind.<ref name = "stott 28"/> RAF fighters often provided aerial cover where possible and occasionally counterattacked enemy air bases.<ref name = "stott 28 31">Stott 1971, pp. 28, 31.</ref>

The intensity of Coastal Command's Swordfish operations was drastically increased after the German invasion of the Low Countries, expanding to involve four Swordfish-equipped squadrons. Typically flying from Detling, Thorney Island, North Coates and St Eval, Swordfish crews were dispatched to strike strategic targets off the coasts of Netherlands and Belgium in daylight raids, during which they braved anti-aircraft fire and interception by Luftwaffe fighter aircraft.<ref name = "stott 28"/> Night time bombing raids were conducted against oil installations, power stations, and aerodromes.<ref name = "stott 28"/> After the Allied defeat in the Battle of France and the signing of the French Armistice of 22 June 1940, Swordfish focused their activities against ports that might be used for a German invasion of the United Kingdom This included security patrols and spotting for naval bombardments.<ref name = "stott 28"/>

In February 1942, the shortcomings of the Swordfish were starkly demonstrated during a German naval movement known as the Channel Dash. Six Swordfish led by Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde flew from Manston to intercept the battleships Template:Ship and Template:Ship as they traversed the English Channel towards Germany.<ref name = "stott 38"/> When the Swordfish formation began their attack run, approaching astern of the ships, the Swordfish were intercepted by about 15 Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter aircraft; the fight was extremely one-sided, quickly resulting in the loss of all Swordfish while no damage was inflicted upon the ships themselves.<ref name = "stott 38"/> The lack of fighter cover was a contributing factor for the heavy losses; only 10 of 84 promised fighters were available. Thirteen of the 18 Swordfish crew involved were killed. Esmonde, who had previously led an attack on Bismarck, was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.<ref name = "stott 38"/>

File:A Fairey Swordfish in Flight TR1138.jpg
A Swordfish, circa 1943–1944

The courage of the Swordfish crews was noted by commanders on both sides. British Vice-Admiral Bertram Ramsay wrote "In my opinion the gallant sortie of these six Swordfish aircraft constitutes one of the finest exhibitions of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty the war had ever witnessed". German Vice-Admiral Otto Ciliax remarked on "the mothball attack of a handful of ancient planes, piloted by men whose bravery surpasses any other action by either side that day."<ref>Kemp, pp. 199–200.</ref>

However, as a result of this incident, Swordfish were quickly withdrawn from the torpedo-bomber role in favour of more anti-submarine duties. Armed with depth charges and rockets, the aircraft were good submarine killers.<ref name = "stott 38"/>

In the anti-submarine role, the Swordfish pioneered the naval use of air to surface vessel (ASV) radar, allowing the aircraft to effectively locate surface ships at night and through clouds.<ref>Harrison 2001, p. 9.</ref> Swordfish were flying missions with the radar by October 1941.<ref name = "stott 38"/> In December 1941, a Swordfish based in Gibraltar located and sank a U-boat, the first such kill to be achieved by an aircraft during nighttime. On 23 May 1943, a rocket-equipped Swordfish destroyed German submarine U-752 off the coast of Ireland, the first kill achieved with this weapon.<ref name = "stott 38"/>

Later use

File:Rocket-armed Fairey Swordfish on a training flight from RNAS St Merryn in Cornwall, 1 August 1944. A24983.jpg
Three rocket-armed Swordfish on a training flight, August 1944. The aircraft are painted with Invasion stripes

Towards the end of the war, No. 119 Squadron RAF operated Swordfish Mark IIIs with centimetric radar from airfields in Belgium. Their main task was to hunt at night for German midget submarines in the North Sea and off the Dutch coast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The radar was able to detect ships at a range of around Template:Convert.<ref name="Parsons" /> One of the aircraft operated by 119 Squadron in this role survives and is part of the collection of the Imperial War Museum (see Surviving aircraft).

File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CL2277.jpg
119 Squadron RAF Swordfish being loaded with 250 lb general-purpose bombs, Knokke-Zoute Airfield, Belgium, circa 1944–1945

By 1945, nine front-line squadrons were still equipped with Swordfish.<ref name = "stott 38"/> Overall, Swordfish sank 14 U-boats. The Swordfish was intended to be replaced by the Fairey Albacore, also a biplane, but it outlived its intended successor until succeeded by the Fairey Barracuda monoplane torpedo bomber. Operational sorties of the Swordfish continued into January 1945. The last active missions are believed to have been anti-shipping operations off the coast of Norway by FAA Squadrons 835 and 813, where the Swordfish's manoeuvrability was essential.<ref name=wragg2>Wragg 2005, pp. 127–131.</ref> The last operational squadron, 836 Naval Air Squadron, which had last been engaged in providing resources for the MAC ships, was disbanded on 21 May 1945, soon after the end of World War II in Europe.<ref name = "stott 38 40">Stott 1971, pp. 38–40.</ref> In mid-1946, the last training squadron equipped with the type was disbanded, after which only a few remained in service to perform sundry duties at a few naval air stations.<ref name = "stott 40">Stott 1971, p. 40.</ref>

Variants

File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CL1638.jpg
A Swordfish III of RAF 119 Squadron being refuelled at Maldegem, Belgium, (1944–1945). The fairing of the aircraft's centimetric radar can be seen below the engine
Swordfish I
First production series.
Swordfish I
Version equipped with floats, for use from catapult-equipped warships.
Swordfish II
Version with metal lower wings to enable the mounting of rockets, introduced in 1943.
Swordfish III
Version with added large centimetric radar unit, introduced in 1943.
Swordfish IV
Last version (production ended in 1944), with an enclosed cabin for use by the RCAF

Operators

Surviving aircraft

File:Swordfish Aircraft MOD 45155479.jpg
Swordfish LS326 (2012)
File:Fairey Swordfish, Imperial War Museum, Duxford (11696645365).jpg
Swordfish NF370, Imperial War Museum, Duxford (2011)
File:Fairey Swordfish at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum June 2025.jpg
Swordfish II NS 122 at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum

A large proportion of the currently surviving aircraft were recovered from the farm of Canadian Ernie Simmons.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Canada
Malta
United Kingdom
United States

Specifications (Swordfish I)

File:Fairey Swordfish Mk I 3-view line drawing.svg
Fairey Swordfish Mk I 3-view drawing
File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A8581.jpg
Ground crew moving the folding wing of a Swordfish into position for flying

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

Template:Aircontent

References

Citations

Template:Reflist

Bibliography

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  • Campbell, John. Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. Template:ISBN.
  • Template:Cite book
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  • Harrison, W.A. Fairey Swordfish in Action (Aircraft Number 175). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 2001. Template:ISBN.
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  • Lowe, Malcolm V. Fairey Swordfish: Plane Essentials No.3. Wimborne, UK: Publishing Solutions (www) Ltd., 2009. Template:ISBN.
  • Lowry, Thomas P. and John Wellham.The Attack on Taranto: Blueprint for Pearl Harbor. London: Stackpole Books, 2000. Template:ISBN.
  • Template:Cite journal
  • Template:Cite journal
  • Smith, Peter C. Dive Bomber!. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982. Template:ISBN.
  • Stott, Ian G. The Fairey Swordfish Mks. I-IV (Aircraft in Profile 212). Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1971. Template:OCLC
  • Sturtivant, Ray. The Swordfish Story. London: Cassell & Co., 1993 (2nd Revised edition 2000). Template:ISBN.
  • Taylor, H.A, Fairey Aircraft since 1915. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1974. Template:ISBN.
  • Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft Since 1912. London: Putnam, Fourth edition, 1978. Template:ISBN.
  • Template:Cite book
  • Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft Since 1912. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. Template:ISBN.
  • Thomas, Andrew. "Light Blue 'Stringbags': The Fairey Swordfish in RAF Service". Air Enthusiast, No. 78, November/December 1998, pp. 73–77. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
  • Willis, Matthew. Fleet Air Arm Legends 2 - Fairey Swordfish. Horncastle, UK: Mortons Books, 2022. Template:ISBN.
  • Wragg, David. The Escort Carrier in World War II. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books, 2005. Template:ISBN.
  • Wragg, David. Stringbag: The Fairey Swordfish at War. Barnsley, UK: Pen and Sword Books, 2005. Template:ISBN.
  • Wragg, David. Swordfish: The Story of the Taranto Raid. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2003. Template:ISBN.

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