View source for Fairey Swordfish

{{Redirect|Stringbag|bags made of string|string bag}}
{{short description|1934 torpedo bomber aircraft}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2015}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Swordfish
 |image= File:Shoreham Airshow 2013 (9700275620).jpg
 |image_border=
 |caption= Swordfish ''LS 326'' in flight in 2013
 |type= [[Torpedo bomber]]
 |national_origin= United Kingdom
 |manufacturer= [[Fairey Aviation Company|Fairey]]
 |builder = [[Fairey Aviation Company|Fairey]], [[Blackburn Aircraft]]
 |designer=
 |first_flight= 17 April 1934
 |introduction= 1936
 |retired= 21 May 1945
 |status=
 |primary_user= [[Fleet Air Arm]], [[Royal Navy]]
 |more_users= {{plainlist|
* [[Royal Air Force]]
* [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]
* [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]
}}
 |produced= 1936–1944
 |number_built= 2,391 (692 by Fairey and 1,699 by Blackburn)
 |developed_from=
 |variants=
 |developed_into=
}}

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 warfare|anti-submarine]] and [[Trainer (aircraft)|training]] duties. The type was in frontline service throughout the [[World War II|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 [[Last battle of Bismarck|famous attack]] on the [[German battleship Bismarck|German battleship ''Bismarck'']], which contributed to her eventually being sunk. Swordfishes sank a greater tonnage of [[Axis powers|Axis]] shipping than any other Allied aircraft during the war.<ref name = "stott 21"/> The Swordfish remained in front-line service until [[Victory in Europe Day|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 ''[[Fairey S.9/30|T.S.R. I]]'', standing for ''Torpedo-Spotter-Reconnaissance I'', the proposed design was a [[biplane]] powered by a single 645&nbsp;hp [[Bristol Pegasus|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 [[List of Air Ministry Specifications|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|thumb|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 [[Naval Air Service (Greece)|Greek Naval Air Service]], which had asked for a replacement for the [[Fairey III#Variants|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 [[List of Air Ministry Specifications#1930-1939|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 (hamlet)|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 [[Spin (aerodynamics)|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 wing|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 (nautical)|float]] [[landing gear|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 (1916)|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|thumb|left|A Swordfish I during a training flight from [[RNAS Crail (HMS Jackdaw)|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, Hillingdon|Hayes]], [[West London (sub region)|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 [[British Admiralty|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 [[British shadow factories|shadow factories]] to minimise the damage caused by ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' bombing raids.<ref name = "stott 25"/> Major sub-assemblies were produced by four [[subcontractor]]s 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 [[rocket]]s. 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>{{cite book|last=Bishop|first=Chris|title=The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MuGsf0psjvcC&pg=PA403|year=2002|publisher=Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.|isbn=978-1-58663-762-0|page=403}}</ref>

==Design==
The Fairey Swordfish was a medium-sized biplane torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft with a fabric-covered metal airframe. It had [[folding wing]]s. 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 {{convert|5000|ft}} followed by a dive to torpedo release altitude of {{convert|18|ft}}.<ref name="Proceedings">Emmott, Norman W. "Airborne Torpedoes". ''United States Naval Institute Proceedings'', August 1977.</ref> Maximum range of the early [[British 18-inch torpedo#Mark XII|Mark XII torpedo]] was {{convert|1500|yd}} at {{convert|40|knot}} and {{convert|3500|yd}} at {{convert|27|knot}}.<ref name="Campbell">Campbell 1985, p. 87.</ref> The torpedo travelled {{convert|200|ft}} forward from release to water impact, and needed another {{convert|300|yd}} to stabilise at preset depth and arm itself. Ideal release distance was {{convert|1000|yd}} from the target.<ref name= "Proceedings"/>

The Swordfish could also be used as a [[Divebomber|dive-bomber]]. During 1939, Swordfish on board [[HMS Glorious|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 (1911)|HMS ''Centurion'']]. Tests against a stationary target showed an average error of {{convert|49|yd|m|abbr=on}} from a release height of {{convert|1300|ft|m|abbr=on}} and a dive angle of 70 degrees; tests against a manoeuvring target showed an average error of {{convert|44|yd|m|abbr=on}} from a drop height of {{convert|1800|ft|m|abbr=on}} 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 warfare|anti-submarine]] role, armed with [[depth charge]]s or eight 60&nbsp;lb (27&nbsp;kg) [[RP-3|RP-3 rockets]] and flying from the smaller [[escort aircraft carrier|escort carriers]], or even [[Merchant aircraft carrier|merchant aircraft carriers (MACs)]] when equipped for [[JATO|rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO)]].<ref name="Smith">{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |title=Combat Biplanes of World War II |date=2014 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=United Kingdom |isbn=978-1783400546 |pages=68}}</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|thumb|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|thumb|A Swordfish floatplane, of the type that sank the ''U-64''. This one is being hoisted aboard the battleship [[HMS Malaya|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 (47)|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 [[Battles of Narvik#Second naval Battle of Narvik|Second Battle of Narvik]], a Swordfish floatplane was launched from the battleship {{HMS |Warspite|03|6}} to search for German ships.<ref name="Dickens1974 119 123">{{Cite book |last=Dickens |first=Peter |title=Narvik : battles in the fjords  |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1974 |location=Annapolis, Md. |pages=119–123 |language=English}}</ref> The crew reported seeing several German destroyers, and also spotted the {{GS|U-64|1939|6}} anchored close to the shore in [[Herjangsfjord]]. They dived to {{convert|200|ft|m|-1}} and dropped two {{convert|100|lb|kg|adj=on}} 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>{{Cite book|last=Ballantyne|first=Iain|title=Warspite: From Jutland hero to cold war warrior.|publisher=Pen and Sword|year=2001|isbn=978-1-84884-350-9|location=Barnsley|pages=98}}</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">{{Cite book |last=Dickens |first=Peter |title=Narvik : battles in the fjords  |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=1974 |location=Annapolis, Md. |pages=131–134 |language=English}}</ref> During the battle, eight German destroyers were sunk or scuttled with no British ships lost.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Whitley, M. J.|title=Destroyer! : German destroyers in World War II|publisher=Arms and Armour|year=1983|isbn=0-85368-258-5|location=London|pages=127|oclc=10360808}}</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|thumb|A Swordfish taking off from the aircraft carrier [[HMS Ark Royal (91)|HMS ''Ark Royal'']], with another passing by astern, circa 1939]]
On 14 June 1940, soon after the [[Military history of Italy during World War II|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 [[Annaba|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 Naval Air Squadron|810]] and [[820 Naval Air Squadron]]s launched from the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Ark Royal|91|6}} and made three sorties against the anchored fleet. The torpedo attack, which crippled the [[French battleship Dunkerque|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 (North Africa)|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 oiler|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 {{HMS|Illustrious|87|6}} 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 [[flare]]s being dropped to illuminate the harbour, after which the Swordfish began bomb and torpedo runs. Due to the presence of [[barrage balloon]]s and [[torpedo net]]s 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|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|thumb|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 {{ship|German battleship|Bismarck||2}}. On 24 May, nine Swordfish from {{HMS|Victorious|R38|6}} 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"/>{{sfn|Garzke|Dulin|1985|pp=229–230}}

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 ''Bismarck''{{'}}s [[Anti-aircraft warfare|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 carrier]]s 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 of World War II|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 {{HMS|Striker|D12|6}} and {{HMS|Vindex|D15|2}} 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 Naval Air Squadron|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 (World War II)|East African campaign]], Swordfish from [[HMS Eagle (1918)|HMS ''Eagle'']]'s [[813 Naval Air Squadron|813]] and [[824 Naval Air Squadron]]s, 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 (F64)|HMS ''Kingston'']].<ref>Harrison 1987, pp.61-62</ref>

In 1942, Swordfish of [[810 Naval Air Squadron|810]] and [[829 Naval Air Squadron|829 Squadrons]] on HMS ''Illustrious'' took part in the [[Battle of Madagascar]]. They dropped [[Paradummy|dummy paratroopers]] in support of the initial landings.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Phillips |first1=Russell |title=A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar |date=2021-05-05 |publisher=Shilka Publishing |isbn=9781912680276 |page=26 |url=https://www.russellphillips.uk/madagascar}}</ref> They later conducted anti-ship and anti-submarine operations in [[Antsiranana|Diego Suarez Bay]] and bombed land targets in support of land operations during Operation Ironclad.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Phillips |first1=Russell |title=A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar |date=2021-05-05 |publisher=Shilka Publishing |isbn=9781912680276 |page=43 |url=https://www.russellphillips.uk/madagascar}}</ref> In the later Operation Jane, Swordfish were ready to support the attack on [[Toamasina|Tamatave]], but in the event the town surrendered before they were needed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Phillips |first1=Russell |title=A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar |date=2021-05-05 |publisher=Shilka Publishing |isbn=9781912680276 |page=93 |url=https://www.russellphillips.uk/madagascar}}</ref>

===Home front===
During early 1940, Swordfish aircraft of [[812 Naval Air Squadron|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 mine]]s 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 [[Battle of the Netherlands|German invasion of the Low Countries]], expanding to involve four Swordfish-equipped squadrons. Typically flying from [[Detling]], [[Thorney Island (West Sussex)|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 station]]s, and [[aerodrome]]s.<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 [[Operation Sea Lion|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 {{Ship |German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}} and {{ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}} 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|thumb|left|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 [[List of World War II British naval radar#ASV II|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|thumb|left|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 submarine]]s in the North Sea and off the Dutch coast.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211751 | title=ROYAL AIR FORCE COASTAL COMMAND, 1939–1945. | publisher=Imperial War Museum | access-date=9 January 2015}}</ref> The radar was able to detect ships at a range of around {{convert|25|mi|km}}.<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|Surviving aircraft]]'').

[[File:Royal Air Force Coastal Command, 1939-1945. CL2277.jpg|thumb|119 Squadron RAF Swordfish being loaded with 250&nbsp;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|thumb|upright=1.2|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==
* {{AUS}}
** [[Royal Australian Air Force]]
*** Six aircraft were used by [[No. 25 Squadron RAAF]] in 1942.<ref>[http://www.adf-serials.com.au/swordfish.htm ADF-Serials RAAF Fairey Swordfish Mk.I]</ref>
* {{flag|Canada|1921}}
** [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]
** [[Royal Canadian Navy]]
* {{flagcountry|Kingdom of Italy}}
* {{NLD}}
** [[Royal Netherlands Navy]]
*** [[Dutch Naval Aviation Service]] in exile in the United Kingdom
**** [[860 Naval Air Squadron|No. 860 (Dutch) Squadron]], [[Fleet Air Arm]]
* {{flag|Spain|1938}}
** [[Spanish Air Force|Ejercito del Aire]]
*** Swordfish W5843 of 813 squadron at North Front, Gibraltar lost its bearings during an anti-submarine sweep and force landed between Ras el Farea and Pota Pescadores, in [[Spanish Morocco]], on 30 April 1942. The crew were all interned. The final fate of the aircraft is not known.<ref name="Captured Aircraft">{{cite web |title=Captured Fleet Air Arm Aircraft |url=http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/faacapturedaircrafthomepage.html |website=fleetairarmarchive.net |access-date=16 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819085241/http://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/Aircraft/FAACapturedAircraftHomepage.html |archive-date=19 August 2010 |url-status=usurped}}</ref>
*** Swordfish P4073 of 700 squadron of [[HMS Malaya|HMS ''Malaya'']] ran out of fuel whilst shadowing the German battleship [[German battleship Scharnhorst|''Scharnhorst'']] on 8 March 1941.<ref>[http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-01BB-HMS_Malaya.htm HMS MALAYA  – Queen Elizabeth-class 15in gun Battleship including Convoy Escort Movements]</ref><ref>Sturtivant, p. 65.</ref> Aircraft and crew were recovered by the Spanish liner ''Cabo de Buena Esperanza'' off [[Canary Islands]] and interned in Spain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://incidentessgm.blogspot.com/2013/11/fairey-swordfish.html|title=Incidentes aéreos en España en la SGM: Fairey Swordfish|last=Aranduy Laiseca|first=Javier|date=2013-11-12|website=Incidentes aéreos en España en la SGM|language=es|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref> The Swordfish was put on the strength of the Spanish air force as HR6-1 on 6 December 1943 with 54 Escuadrilla, Puerto de le Cruz, [[Tenerife]], Canary Islands. Retired March 1945 at [[Las Palmas|Las Palmas, Gran Canaria]].<ref name="Captured Aircraft" />
* {{UK}}
** [[Royal Air Force]]<ref name="Light blue">Thomas 1998, pp. 73–77.</ref>
*** [[No. 8 Squadron RAF]]
*** [[No. 119 Squadron RAF]]
*** [[No. 202 Squadron RAF]]
*** [[No. 209 Squadron RAF]]
*** [[No. 273 Squadron RAF]]
*** [[No. 613 Squadron RAF]]
*** No. 3 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (No. 3 AACU), Malta and Gibraltar
*** No. 4 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit (No. 4 AACU), Singapore
*** 9 (Pilot) Advanced Flying Unit
** [[Royal Navy]] [[Fleet Air Arm]]{{sfn|Thetford|1991|p=149}} (prior to May 1939 part of RAF)
*** [[700 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[701 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[702 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[705 Naval Air Squadron]] (float-equipped aircraft from the battlecruisers [[HMS Repulse (1916)|''Repulse'']] and [[HMS Renown (1916)|''Renown'']])
*** [[710 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[722 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[726 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[727 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[728 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[730 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[731 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[733 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[735 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[737 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[739 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[740 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[741 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[742 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[743 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[744 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[747 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[753 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[759 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[763 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[764 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[765 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[766 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[767 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[768 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[769 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[770 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[771 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[772 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[773 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[774 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[775 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[776 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[777 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[778 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[779 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[780 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[781 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[782 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[783 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[785 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[786 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[787 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[788 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[789 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[791 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[794 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[796 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[797 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[810 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[811 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[812 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[814 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[815 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[816 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[817 Naval Air Squadron]], transferred to South Africa in 1945
*** [[818 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[819 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[820 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[821 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[822 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[823 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[824 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[825 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[826 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[828 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[829 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[830 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[833 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[834 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[835 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[836 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[837 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[838 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[840 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[841 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[842 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[860 Naval Air Squadron]]
*** [[886 Naval Air Squadron]]

==Surviving aircraft==
[[File:Swordfish Aircraft MOD 45155479.jpg|thumb|Swordfish ''LS326'' (2012)]]
[[File:Fairey Swordfish, Imperial War Museum, Duxford (11696645365).jpg|thumb|Swordfish ''NF370'', Imperial War Museum, Duxford (2011)]]
[[File:Fairey Swordfish at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum June 2025.jpg|thumb|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>{{cite web |last1=Whittemore |first1=Ray |title=The Simmons Collection |url=http://www.spitcrazy.com/simmons1.htm |website=Spitfire Emporium |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125135045/http://www.spitcrazy.com/simmons1.htm |archive-date=25 January 2021 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

;Canada
* NS122 – Swordfish II on static display at the [[Canada Aviation and Space Museum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairey Swordfish II |url=http://ingeniumcanada.org/artifact/fairey-swordfish-ii |website=Ingenium |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>
* HS469 – Swordfish IV on display at the [[Shearwater Aviation Museum]] in [[Nova Scotia]]. It was restored to airworthy condition and flew once, in 1994.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Swordfish HS469 |url=http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/swordfish.htm |website=Shearwater Aviation Museum |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923195936/http://www.shearwateraviationmuseum.ns.ca/exhibits/swordfish.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* HS498 – Swordfish IV in storage at the [[Reynolds-Alberta Museum]] in [[Wetaskiwin, Alberta]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Aviation |url=http://reynoldsmuseum.ca/aviation |website=Reynolds Museum |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

;Malta
* HS491 – Swordfish IV under restoration at the [[Malta Aviation Museum]] in [[Ta' Qali|Ta' Qali, Attard]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairey Swordfish HS491 |url=http://www.maltaaviationmuseum.com/fairey-swordfish-cxbm |website=Malta Aviation Museum |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

;United Kingdom
* HS503 – Swordfish IV in storage at the [[Royal Air Force Museum Cosford]] in [[Cosford, Shropshire]].<ref name="Goodall">{{cite web |last1=Goodall |first1=Geoffrey |title=FAIREY SWORDFISH |url=http://www.goodall.com.au/warbirds-directory-v6/fairey.pdf |website=Geoff Goodall's Aviation History Site |access-date=20 July 2020 |date=22 March 2019}}</ref>
* HS554 – Swordfish III under restoration to airworthy with private owners in [[White Waltham|White Waltham, Berkshire]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Swordfish HS554 |url=http://navywings.org.uk/portfolio/swordfish-hs554 |website=Navy Wings |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref> Restored to flight in 2006, it was previously owned by [[Vintage Wings of Canada]]. After being grounded for several years, it was sold to the current owners in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Commander Terry Goddard Blackburn-Fairey Swordfish Mk III |url=http://www.vintagewings.ca/Aircraft/tabid/66/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25/The-Commander-Terry-Goddard-Blackburn-Fairey-Swordfish-Mk-III.aspx |website=Vintage Wings of Canada |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921152924/http://www.vintagewings.ca/Aircraft/tabid/66/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/25/The-Commander-Terry-Goddard-Blackburn-Fairey-Swordfish-Mk-III.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Canadian 'Stringbag' for the UK |magazine=[[Aeroplane Monthly|Aeroplane]] |date=August 2019 |volume=47 |issue=8 |page=7 |issn=0143-7240}}</ref>
* HS618 – Swordfish II on static display at the [[Fleet Air Arm Museum]] in [[Yeovil, Somerset]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Fairey Swordfish II (HS618) |url=http://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/fairey-swordfish-ii-hs618/2-17-20.aspx |website=Fleet Air Arm Museum |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923010439/https://www.fleetairarm.com/exhibit/fairey-swordfish-ii-hs618/2-17-20.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* LS326 – Swordfish II airworthy with Navy Wings in [[Ilchester, Somerset]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Swordfish LS326 |url=http://navywings.org.uk/portfolio/swordfish-ls326 |website=Navy Wings |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>
* NF370 – Swordfish III on static display at the [[Imperial War Museum Duxford]] in [[Duxford, Cambridgeshire]]. It was built in 1944. It was operated by [[No. 119 Squadron RAF]], which was given the task of patrolling the North Sea in search of German torpedo boats and [[midget submarine]]s. It has been at Duxford since 1986. In 1998, a restoration project was begun that returned the airframe to an airworthy condition; it was fitted with a non-functional Pegasus engine.<ref name="Parsons">{{cite web |last1=Parsons |first1=Gary |title=Back in Black |url=http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2005/swordfish/swordfish.htm |website=Air-Scene UK |access-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051310/http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2005/swordfish/swordfish.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |date=2005}}</ref>
* W5856 – Swordfish I airworthy with Navy Wings in Ilchester, Somerset.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swordfish W5856 |url=http://navywings.org.uk/portfolio/swordfish-w5856 |website=Navy Wings |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

;United States
* HS164 – Swordfish IV on display at the [[American Airpower Heritage Museum]] of the [[Commemorative Air Force]] in [[Dallas, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Airframe Dossier - Fairey Swordfish IV, s/n HS164 RCN, c/r N2235R |url=http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=22395 |website=Aerial Visuals |access-date=20 July 2020}}</ref>

==Specifications (Swordfish I)==
[[File:Fairey Swordfish Mk I 3-view line drawing.svg|thumb|Fairey Swordfish Mk I 3-view drawing]]
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A8581.jpg|thumb|Ground crew moving the folding wing of a Swordfish into position for flying]]
{{Aircraft specs
|ref=Fairey Aircraft since 1915,<ref name="Taylor p259">Taylor 1974, p. 259.</ref> The Fairey Swordfish Mks. I-IV<ref name = "stott 43">Stott 1971, p. 43.</ref>
|prime units?=imp
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew=3 - pilot, observer, and radio operator/rear gunner (observer's position frequently replaced with auxiliary fuel tank)
|length ft=35
|length in=8
|length note=
|span ft=45
|span in=6
|span note=
|height ft=12
|height in=4
|height note=
|wing area sqft=607
|wing area note=
|width ft=17
|width in=3
|width note=wings folded
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=[[RAF 28]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight lb=4195
|empty weight note=
|gross weight lb=7580
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number=1
|eng1 name=[[Bristol Pegasus IIIM.3]]
|eng1 type=9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
|eng1 hp=690
|eng1 note=

|prop blade number=3
|prop name=metal fixed-pitch propeller
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed mph=143
|max speed note=with torpedo at {{cvt|7580|lb|0}} and {{cvt|5000|ft|0}}
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed note=
|range miles=522
|range note=normal fuel, carrying torpedo<ref>Taylor 1974, p. 260:
::::{{cvt|1030|mi|nmi km|0}} reconnaissance with no bombs and extra fuel</ref>
|combat range miles=
|combat range note=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=5 hours 30 minutes
|ceiling ft=16500
|ceiling note=at {{cvt|7580|lb|0}}
|climb rate ftmin=870
|climb rate note=at {{cvt|7580|lb|0}} at sea level
::::{{cvt|690|ft/min|1}} at {{cvt|7580|lb|0}} and {{cvt|5000|ft|0}}

|time to altitude=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/weight=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=<!--
* '''Take-off run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Take-off distance to {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing run:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}
* '''Landing distance from {{cvt|50|ft|0}}:''' {{cvt||ft|0}}-->
<!--
        Armament
-->
|guns=
** 1 × fixed, forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) [[Vickers machine gun]] in upper right fuselage, breech in cockpit, firing over engine cowling
** 1 × .303 in (7.7 mm) [[Lewis Gun|Lewis]] or [[Vickers K machine gun]] in rear cockpit
|bombs=1 × 1,670 lb (760 kg) [[torpedo]] or 1,500 lb (700 kg) [[Naval mine|mine]] under fuselage or 1,500 lb total of bombs under fuselage and wings.
|rockets=8 × "60 lb" [[RP-3]] rocket projectiles (Mk.II and later)

|avionics=
}}

==See also==
* [[Blackburn Shark]]
* [[Gloster TSR.38]]
{{Aircontent
|related=
* [[Fairey Albacore]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Fieseler Fi 167]]
* [[Yokosuka B4Y]]
|lists=
* [[List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm]]
* [[List of aircraft of World War II]]
|see also=* [[Eugene Esmonde]]
}}

==References==

===Citations===
{{reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
* Brown, Eric, CBE, DCS, AFC, RN.; William Green and Gordon Swanborough. "Fairey Swordfish". ''Wings of the Navy, Flying Allied Carrier Aircraft of World War Two''. London: Jane's Publishing Company, 1980, pp.&nbsp;7–20. {{ISBN|0-7106-0002-X}}.
* Campbell, John. ''Naval Weapons of World War II.'' Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1985. {{ISBN|0-87021-459-4}}.
* {{cite book
  | last1 = Garzke
  | first1 = William H.
  | last2 = Dulin
  | first2 = Robert O.
  | year = 1985
  | title = Battleships: Axis and Neutral Battleships in World War II
  | publisher = Naval Institute Press
  | location = Annapolis
  | isbn = 978-0-87021-101-0
}}
* Harrison, W.A. ''Fairey Swordfish and Albacore''. Wiltshire, UK: The Crowood Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1-86126-512-3}}.
* Harrison, W.A. ''Fairey Swordfish in Action'' (Aircraft Number 175). Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 2001. {{ISBN|0-89747-421-X}}.
* Harrison, W.A. ''Swordfish at War''. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd., 1987. {{ISBN|0-7110-1676-3}}.
* Harrison, W.A. ''Swordfish Special''. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Publishing Ltd., 1977. {{ISBN|0-7110-0742-X}}.
* Kemp, P.K. ''Key to Victory: The Triumph of British Sea Power in World War II''. New York: Little, Brown, 1957.
* Kennedy, Ludovic. ''Pursuit: The Sinking of the Bismarck''. Bath, UK: Chivers Press, 2002. {{ISBN|978-0-7540-0754-8}}.
* Kilbracken, Lord. ''Bring Back My Stringbag: A Swordfish Pilot at War''. London: Pan Books Ltd, 1980. {{ISBN|0-330-26172-X}}. First published by Peter Davies Ltd, 1979.
* [[Charles Lamb (WWII naval officer)|Lamb, Charles]]. ''To War in a Stringbag'' (also published as ''War in a Stringbag''). London: Cassell & Co., 2001. {{ISBN|0-304-35841-X}}.
* Lowe, Malcolm V. ''Fairey Swordfish: Plane Essentials No.3''. Wimborne, UK: Publishing Solutions (www) Ltd., 2009. {{ISBN|978-1-906589-02-8}}.
* Lowry, Thomas P. and John Wellham.''The Attack on Taranto: Blueprint for Pearl Harbor.'' London: Stackpole Books, 2000. {{ISBN|0-8117-2661-4}}.
* {{cite journal |last1=Roba|first1=Jean-Louis|last2=Cony|first2=Christophe|name-list-style=amp |title=Donnerkeil: 12 février 1942 |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=August 2001 |issue=101 |pages=10–19|trans-title=Operation Donnerkeil: 12 February 1942 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Roba|first1=Jean-Louis|last2=Cony|first2=Christophe|name-list-style=amp |title=Donnerkeil: 12 février 1942 |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=September 2001 |issue=102 |pages=46–53 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* Smith, Peter C. ''Dive Bomber!''. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982. {{ISBN|978-0-87021-930-6}}.
* Stott, Ian G. '' The Fairey Swordfish Mks. I-IV'' (Aircraft in Profile 212). Windsor, Berkshire, UK: Profile Publications, 1971. {{OCLC|53091961}}
* Sturtivant, Ray. ''The Swordfish Story''. London: Cassell & Co., 1993 (2nd Revised edition 2000). {{ISBN|0-304-35711-1}}.
* Taylor, H.A, ''Fairey Aircraft since 1915''. London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1974. {{ISBN|0-370-00065-X}}.
* Thetford, Owen. ''British Naval Aircraft Since 1912''. London: Putnam, Fourth edition, 1978. {{ISBN|0-370-30021-1}}.
*{{cite book |last1=Thetford |first1=Owen |title=British Naval Aircraft since 1912 |year=1991 |publisher=Putnam Aeronautical Books, an imprint of Conway Maritime Press Ltd |location= [[London]], UK |isbn=0-85177-849-6 }}
* Thetford, Owen. ''British Naval Aircraft Since 1912''. London: Putnam Aeronautical Books, 1994. {{ISBN|0-85177-861-5}}.
* Thomas, Andrew. "Light Blue 'Stringbags': The Fairey Swordfish in RAF Service". ''[[Air Enthusiast]]'', No. 78, November/December 1998, pp.&nbsp;73–77. Stamford, UK: Key Publishing. ISSN 0143-5450.
* Willis, Matthew. ''Fleet Air Arm Legends 2 - Fairey Swordfish''. Horncastle, UK: Mortons Books, 2022. {{ISBN|9781911658498}}.
* Wragg, David. ''The Escort Carrier in World War II.'' Barnsley, UK: [[Pen & Sword Books]], 2005. {{ISBN|1-84415-220-0}}.
* Wragg, David. ''Stringbag: The Fairey Swordfish at War''. Barnsley, UK: Pen and Sword Books, 2005. {{ISBN|1-84415-130-1}}.
* Wragg, David. ''Swordfish: The Story of the Taranto Raid.'' London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 2003.  {{ISBN|0-297-84667-1}}.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{External media|topic= |width=20% |float=right |video1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYVOpwkdIZA Silent footage of Royal Navy aircraft carrier operations, featuring the Swordfish] |video2=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZzueAyKPW0 Documentary on the Battle of Taranto, one of the Swordfish's most major engagements of the war] |video3=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHF1-nOpWBQ Video of a preserved flightworthy Swordfish taking off and performing an aerial display] |video4= [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDdEudaErh4 In-cockpit footage of a Fairey Swordfish during flight]}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20071201180114/http://www.kbismarck.com/article2.html Swordfish Story of the Torpedoing of the Bismarck]
* [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1946/1946%20-%201676.html "Stringbag Plus"] a 1946 ''Flight'' article on flying the Swordfish

{{Fairey aircraft}}
{{Spanish seaplanes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Biplanes]]
[[Category:1930s British anti-submarine aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s British bomber aircraft]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Fairey aircraft|Swordfish]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1934]]
[[Category:Aircraft with fixed conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]