= - —Rireratt Numibér 175

squadron/signal publications”
Fairey Swordfish
By W.A. Harrison in action
Color by Don Greer
Illustrated by Andrew Probert and Richard Hudson

_a Aircraft Number 175

squadron/signal publications
 COPYRIGHT 2001 SQUADRON/SIGNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC.
1115 CROWLEY DRIVE CARROLLTON, TEXAS 75011-5010
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system of trans-
‘mitted inany form by means electrical, mechanical or otherwise, without written permission of the pub-

ISBN 0-89747-421-X
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Ecam y Bac ecTh SoTOrpagdHH caMoueTOR, BOopyxKeHUs, comaT 1M

Kopa6uent T1060 cTpaHl, OcOGeHHO, CHHMKH BPeMeH BORHBI,
A Fairey Swordfish Mk | (SH/P3999) assigned to 824 Squadron makes a torpedo run dur- NOREAUTEC C HAMM H MOMOFHTe ClesaTb HOBIE KAMPH HaaTenberBa
ing the British raid on the Italian fleet at Taranto, Italy on 11/12 November 1940. The air- Sckampou/Curnan eue uHTepecHee. Mul NepecHUMeM Baul
craft has an additional fuel tank installed in the rear cockpit, replacing the observer/navi- SoTor pagum M BepHeM OpurunanH. UMeHa npucHaBllMx CHUMKH
gator. The attack by 21 Swordfish launched from the aircraft carrier HMS ILLUSTRIOUS. 6yAyT coOmpoBOxLaTh Bce ONY6MUKOBANHbIe PoTOrpapun.
sank or damaged three Italian battleships. Noxanyacta, npctizante pororpapun to anpecy
Acknowledgements: Squadron/Signal Publi Ine,
I would like to thank my long-suffe friends and colleagues for their continual sup- L115 Crowley Drive
port. To Ray Sturtivant for his unselfish help over a long time, and to all the organizations that Carrollton, TX 75011-5010
contributed information and/or photographs.
TUN, RMT Fe MM LOM E PL TBONSHIEVGOLAVELAD 2 LOMO
Photo Credits: EOTOMIATH, HMB SNE LOMAWIERUATH. Squadron/Signalt DUNT 4 HAT
British Aerospace (BAe) Heritage Centre, Public Archives of Canada EBUT, COLI TUNE MAK L. URES TSIE MCR AT. HHO MOR
Brough R.A. Joss BME. ATOR LOALAT. UNE FE AL ah LS COS ie
Fox Photos Ray Sturtivant SUTHMSAT. SRM CRICK ES,
Fleet Air Arm Museum (FAAM), Yeovilton REF Kerrison
Flight International Royal Netherlands Naval Air Servi
Imperial War Museum (IWM), London (RNNAS) Squadron/Signal Publications, Ine,
MAP United States Navy (USN) 1115 Crowley Dri
Carroll
Dedication:
I wish to dedicate this book to the memory of This Fairey Swordfish Mk I (L9715/M) assigned to No 785 Squadron flies a training sortie
from RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Crail, Scotland during the first half of World War Il.
the late Flt Lt Chris Staniland, Fairey’s chief This aircraft carried an 18-inch (45.7 cm) training torpedo under the fuselage. Racks for
test pilot 1930-1942. bombs and flares were mounted under the lower wing surfaces. The Swordfish’s weath-
1g missions flown over Scotland's
coastal waters. L9715 was written off in a flying accident on 11 August 1941.
Introduction (4267.2 s) feet — found himself ina non-recoverable flat spin some 12 turns later. He elected
to go over the left side of the cockpit since the aircraft was spinning to the right, but was flung
‘The British Fleet Air Arm (FAA) opera rypes of
aircraft during the 1920s and into the rear cockpit by the G (gravity) forces and slipstream. Staniland managed to get out of
1930s: the fleet fighter, the torpedo-bomber, and the spotter-reconnaissance aircraft. These air- the rear cockpit, albeit with great difficulty, just before the TSR I crashed and was written off.
craft operated from the Royal Navy's fleet of aircraft carriers, which totaled six by 1930. In Staniland joined a small band of members of the Caterpillar Club — men who had saved their
1933, the Fairey Aviation Company submitted a design which combined some of these three lives by parachute more than once, although not many could say that it was from the same air-
roles and met other specifications already issued by the British Air Ministry. The result craft on the same day!
craft, by Fairey designer Marcelle Lobelle, was known as the TSR I (Torpedo- Designer Marcelle Lobelle used the experience gained from the TSR I to create a second air-
Reconnaissance). It was to be powered by a 525 horsepower (HP) Rolls-Royce Kestrel V-12, craft — the TSR II. This aircraft (Air Ministry serial number K4190) first flew on 17 April
liquid-cooled in-line engine. The aircraft would be capable of easily switching from a wheeled 1934, again with Fit Lt Staniland at the controls. Design changes from the earlier TSR1 includ-
undercarriage to floats for waterborne operations. ed adding an extra bay to the fuselage, which increased the length by two feet (0.6 M) and
The Air Ministry ~who controlled aircraft acquisition for both the Royal Air Force (RAF) required a 4” sweepback on the upper wings. A larger vertical stabilizer and rudder were fitted
and the FAA at that time ~ decided to go ahead with one prototype. (The FAA did not come and strakes were added in front of the horizontal stabilizers’ leading edges. These modifications
under Admiralty control until May of 1939.) This aircraft's powerplant was changed from the were done to correct the stability problem that resulted inthe TSR I's accident. The TSR II's
Kestrel to the 625 hp Armstrong Siddeley Panther VI 14-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine powerplant was the more powerful 690 HP Bristol Pegasus IIIM3 nine-cylinder, air-cooled
turning a Watts two-bladed wooden propeller. The Panther was partially cowled and the radial engine, which tumed a two-bladed Watts wooden propeller. The TSR II's total wei
wheels were covered with streamlined fi (wheel pants). On 21 March 1933, the TSR 1 was not to exceed 8000 Ibs (3268.8 KG) ~a weight restriction imposed by the designs of air-
(Fairey serial number F.1875) was flown on its first flight — from Harmondsworth craft catapults installed on British capital ships (battleships and cruisers),
outside of London — by Fairey’s chief test pilot, Flight Lieutenant Christopher Staniland. The TSR II was designed to carry torpedoes, bombs, depth charges, or aerial m sand c
After initial test flights, the aircraft's engine was changed to a more powerful 635 HP Bristol out dive-bombing attacks. The aircraft crashed while on a test flight from the Torpedo Ti
Pegasus IIM nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine in June of 1933. Staniland made the first Unit at Gosport, England in February of 1935; however, the TSR II was rebuilt for flying the
ht of the re-engined TSR I on 10 July 1933. Test flying confirmed the viability of this next year. The Air Ministry ordered three pre-production aircratt in the spring of 1935, The
n; however, Staniland was involved in a remarkable airborne event on 11 September. three aircraft were used for Air Ministry trials. For all intents and purposes, the TSR II became
Staniland was conducting spinning trials and ~ after entering a right hand spin from 14,000 the Swordfish prototype.
The Fairey TSR Il (K4190) — the Swordfish prototype — made its first flight on 17 April 1934.
‘The 690 hp Bristol Pegasus IlIM3 engine turned a Watts two-bladed wooden propeller. The Fit Lt Chris Staniland, Fairey's chief test pilot, flies the prototype Swordfish (K4190) near
TSR Il later received a three-bladed metal propeller, a longer tail wheel, and a revised the Staines Reservoir west of London. The torpedo sights have not yet been fitted in front
lower rudder profile — all features carried over to production Swordfish. The F: y con- of the TSR II's cockpit and this aircraft is still fitted with the low tail wheel and straight
‘structor's number, F.2038, was painted on the lower aft fuselage. lower rudder profile. (Flight International)
The Swordfish prototype, K4190, was later fitted with dual control cockpits and a revised
lower rudder profile. Apart from the upper cockpit decking, the torpedo-bomber’s profile
was little changed. The oil cooler — a standard fit ing on all Swordfish ~ was the large
finned box on the starboard fuselage side aft of the cowling. Fabric surfaces were doped
Aluminum, while metal surfaces were painted Cerrux Grey (FS16440).
The upper wing outer sections and the machine gun access panel were removed to allow
access to the front cockpit of the Swordfish prototype (K4190). A .303 caliber (7.71)
Vickers machine gun was installed on the starboard forward fuselage, although this
weapon was not always fitted to production Swordfish. The machine gun's spent ammu-
nition chute was placed outboard of the weapon's breech.

The Swordfish’s navigator/observer was stationed immediately aft of the pilot, with the
Telegraphist/Air Gunner (TAG) seated at the end of the rear cockpit. A recess aft of the
rear cockpit provided storage space for the .303 caliber (7.7mm) Lewis or Vickers machine
gun. The TAG lowered the weapon into this recess when the gun was not used. World War
Il British aircraft cockpit interiors were painted Grey Green (FS34226).
Development
Swordfish Mk | Swordfish Mk II

‘s)

Swordfish Mk | Floatplane

A, WA)
Hy LA
 four ailerons up to 8° for takeoff using a small handwhee! set into the trailing edge of the upper
wing center section. This capability was rarely used during takeoff and landing, except when
Swordfish Mk | the float-equipped Swordfish was launched from a battleship or cruiser catapult.
‘The Air Ministry placed an initial order for 86 Swordfish Mk Is in May of 1935. The first “The outer wing panels were hinged on the rear spar to allow the outer panels to fold back as
Swordfish Mk I torpedo-bombers rolled off the Fairey production line at Hayes, Middlesex, a unit along the fuselage. The inner faces of the inner section and outer wing panels were usu-
England in 1936. The FAA’s No 825 Squadron, serving aboard the aircraft carrier HM ally blanked off to inhibit corrosion from sea spray within the wings. When folded back, the
RIOUS, became the first operational Swordfish unit in June of 1936. Their 14 Swordfish MK wings were attached to the horizontal stabilizer using small V-shaped braces. These braces
Is replaced the Squadron's Fairey Seal torpedo-bombers. The Sword folded back under the stabilizers when not in use. The Swordfish had a wingspan of 45 feet, 6
Blackburn Batfin, and the Blackburn Shark in the TSR (Torpedo-Spotter-Reconna inches (13.9 M) with the wings spread and 17 feet, 3 inches (5.3 M) with the wings folded.
by 1938. ‘The Swordfish was designed from the outset to use either a wheeled landing gear for carri-
‘The Swordfish Mk I had an all-metal airframe with the forward fuselage and cockpit sur- er and land-based operations or floats. Both wheels and floats could be changed ‘in the field”
rounds covered by sheet metal panels. Fabric covered the remainder of the airframe. A V- by service personnel. Swordfish based aboard battleships and cruisers were usually equipped
shaped arresting hook for grabbing an aircraft carrier's arresting cables was mounted to the with floats,while carricr-based aircraft were equipped with wheels. Shore-based Swordfish,
lower fuselage longerons. This hook was stowed within a pair of slots in the fuselage under- depending on their unit's proximity to the water, often had both versions within the same unit
side when not in use. The Swordfish Mk I measured 36 feet, | inch (11 )in length, compared ‘The use of floats increased the Swordfish’s empty weight from 4700 Ibs (2131.9 KG)
to the TSR I's lengthof34 feet Iinch (10.41). Ibs (2404.1 KG) and reduced the top speed to approximately 100 MPH (160.1 KM).
The upper and lower metal-framed wings each consisted of a center section and two outer ‘The Swordfish Mk I was powered by a 690 HP Bristol Pegas
panels. The nter ns were skinned with both metal and fabric, while the outer panels — cooled radial engine. This engine was equipped with baffles betw«
including the ailerons — were covered with fabric. Inboard interplane struts secured the lower between the cylinder cooling fins. The engine turned a metal, three-bladed, fixed pitch airey-
wing to the fuselage, while cabane struts supported the upper wing above the fuselage. Two Reed propeller, whose hub was capped by a small spinne
pairs of struts connected the upper and lower wing panels. A life raft stowage compartment ‘The Pegasus engine was surrounded by aTownend Ring, which was designed to smooth the
was built into the inner portion of the upper port wing. This life i airflow over and through the otherwise exposed engine. A series of support struts bolted the
deployed automatically upon ditching. The lower port wing had a ngle landing light built into ‘Townend Ring to the engine. The exhaust collector ring formed the front of the Townend Ring,
the leading edge. Exhaust gases from each cylinder were ducted forward via individual pipes to the . where
Ailerons were fitted to both the upper and lower wing tailing edges. The upper and lower
ailerons on each ch side were connected by athin strut to equalize th Five unarmed — and apparently under-manned — early production Swordfish Mk Is
slats were incorporated into the upper wing leading edges to lower landing and t (8425, K8874, K8872, K8424, and K8348) fly in an echelon formation. These aircraft were
and improve low speed handling. No flaps were provided; however, the pilot could droop all finished in overall pre-war Aluminum dope on the fabric areas and Cerrux Grey (FS16440)
paint on the metal panels. Fuselage code letters and tail serial numbers were black.

Swordfish Mk |
 the gases were then dumped via a large open exhaust pipe on the lower starboard quarter of the
Townend Ring. Some Swordfish, especially those used on night operations, were equipped
with a large exhaust flame and noise dampening exhaust
Fuel for the Swordfish's engine was fed from a single 155 Imperial Gallon (186.1 US
Gal/704.6 1) fuel tank mounted inthe lower forward part of the fuselage. A smaller, 12.5
Imperial Gallon (15 USGal/56.8 L,) gravity tank was mounted in the front fuselage, just in front
of the pilot's windscreen (US =windshield). Engine oil was contained within a 13.7 Imperial
Gallon (16.5 US Gal/62.3 1)tank mounted in the upper front fuselage. A finned oil cooler was
mounted on the outside of the starboard fuselage side,just behind the engine. The Swordfish
Mk I had a range of 546 miles (878.7 KM) while carrying a torpedo. This range could be
increased up to 800 miles (1287.4 kM), with the addition of a 60 Imperial Gallon (72.1 US
Gal/272.8 L)auxiliary fuel tank mounted inthe aftcockpit. The use of the auxiliary fuel tank
normally meant one or both aft crewmembers were left behind. This feature was employed
when mission requirements dictated during the course of World War II. A 60 Imperial Gallon
fuel tank could also be slung beneath the fuse! place of a torpedo.
The Swordfish Mk I had a top speedof132 MPH (212.4 MH) at sea level and 139 mph (223.7
KMH) at 4750 feet (1447.8 M) when carrying a 1610 pound (730.3 KG) torpedo. The norm
cru speed was 104 MPH (167.4 KM),
The Swordfish, in keeping with its multi-role capability, carried a crew of three: Pilot,
Navigator/Observer (N/O), and TelegraphisAir Gunner (TAG) — all in open cockpits. The
Folding wings —which allowed for better storage in both aircraft carrier and shore pilot sat on a raised seat in the forward cockpit, behind a small windscreen, A lower, elongat-
hangars~ were one of the Swordfish's design requirements. The wings folded back along ced cockpit for the N/O and TAG was located behind the pilot's position. The pilot's cockpit
the aft inboard interplane strut. The Swordfish's wing span was reduced from 45 feet, 6 was equipped with conventional flight controls and featured a rd layout for aircraft of
inches (13.9 m) to 17 feet, 3 inches (5.3 m) with the wings folded. ne. The control stick wasequipped with a ring grip, which included the firing button for
Deck hands on HMS ARGUS, the Royal Navy's training carrier, bring Swordfish L2824 up ‘ward machine gun, Theblind flying el in the wordfish cockpit was somewhat rudi-
to the flight deck during the late 1930s. The wings were hinged on the rear wing spar and yy and lacked a sensitive altimeter at the beginning of World WarII,Consequently, the
folded back along the aft fuselage. The inner faces of the wing joints were sealed to inhib- pilot had to judge the best dropping height based on his experience. The torpedo or aerial n
it corrosion within the wing. The pilot's torpedo sight bars were mounted beside the wing slung under the fuselage, was released by a switch on top of the throttle, A viewing window
center section support struts. (Fox) located in the cockpit floor above the torpedo housing provided downward vision for the flight
crew. Rudimentary flight instruments were mounted in the N/O’s cockpit; however, flight con-
trols were not fitted. A number of Swordfish Mk Is ~including K4190 and K8875 were fit

Torpedo Sight

Electrical Sighting
Bulbs
ted with dual controls and a second cockpit replacing the N/O and TAG’ station. These air-
ft, converted by the Royal Navy, were used as Swordfish pilot traine!
When the Swordfish was first deployed in 1936, Radio Telephony (R/T; transmitting speech
by radio) had not reached the Swordfish squadrons; there was no link between the carrier and
her aircraft. The TelegraphisvAir Gunner (TAG) was able to transmit Wireless Telegraphy
(W/T; US = radio) reports in the air, but could not receive W/T messages. The only means of
return communication was by an Aldis hand signaling lamp located just ahead and to starboard
‘of the windscreen, Normal cockpit communications between the crew was possible via
Gosport Tubes — rubber voice pipes connected to each crewman's helmet
The simple torpedo sight consisted of two horizontal rods fixed to the front cabane struts on
each side of the cockpit, which displayed a neat row of small electric light bulbs. These bulbs
‘were spaced equally apart, the distance between each bulb representing five knots (5.8 MP1/9.3
kMuH) of a ship’s speed. A ship steaming at20 knots (23Mpi/37 Kati) needed four light bulbs
between the ship’s bow and the nose of the aircraft
‘The Swordfish’s principal armament was the 18-inch (45.7 cM) Mark XII torpedo, which
proved the most devastating of all Swordfish weapons. Weighing 1610 Ibs (730.3 KG), this tor-
pedo was capable of sinking a 10,000-ton (9072 Mr) ship within minutes of the impact
Accurate torpedo delivery required special training and skills, especially against enemy oppo-
sition and even more so in daylight. Pilots were trained to attack from a steep dive at speeds
up to 200 knots (227 mPH/365.3 KMH) and then pull out low over the sea. The level torpedo run
speed was 90 knots (103.6 MPH/166.7 KMH), the sudden deceleration from the dive helping the All Swordfish pilots had to perform a series of ground catapult launches at RAF (Royal Air
pilot deliver his weapon more accurately from aheight of 60 feet (18.3 m). Force) Station Gosport, England as part of their training. The Swordfish was not equipped
The Swordfish was capable of carrying asingle 500 Ib (226.8 KG) bomb or a 1500 Ib (680.4 with flaps; however, all four ailerons could be deflected downward up to 8" for catapult
kg) sea mine under the fuselage in lieu of a torpedo. Each wing was capable of carrying either launches. This aircraft was at flying speed - approximately 70 mp (112.7 Ku) ~ when it
a single 500 Ib bomb, three 246 Ib (111.6 KG) depth charges, two 250 Ib (113.4 KG) bombs, or left the catapult. (Fox)
four 100 Ib (45.4 KG)bombs. Bombs were normally carried at the expense of a torpedo. Light the N/O’s cockpit, while the i directional antenna arrays were mounted on the front out-
bomb carriers (US = bomb racks) were also mounted further out beneath the wings. These car- board wing struts. The rst successful radar attack occurred on 21 December 1941, when a
riers were most often used for mounting parachute flares used to illuminate the target area at Swordfish assi ed to 812 Squadron at Gibraltar sank the German submarine U-451 off
night. Tangier, Morocco.
‘The Swordfish Mk I was equipped witha single, forward firing .303 caliber(7.2m) Vickers Swordfish were initially built at the Fairey factory at Hayes, Middlesex with final assembly
Mark 2 machine gun mounted in the starboard side of the front fuselage. A small blister fair- at their Great West Aerodrome facility (later absorbed into the modern Heathrow airport after
ing on the outside of the fuselage covered the breech mechanism. The breech also protruded World War Il). By 1940, Fairey had completed 692 airframes and production was moved to
into the right side of the cockpit, which allowed the pilot to clear jams; however, he could not the Blackburn factory in Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, England, This step made production
reload the weapon in flight. The machine gun barrel was exposed and fired through a trough room at Hayes for newer Fairey designs, such as the Barracuda torpedo-bomber and Firef
in the fuselage side. The weapon was fed from a 600-round box magazine, while spent rounds naval fighter. Blackburn's first Swordfish Mk I (V4288) was flown on | December 1940 and
were ejected through ametal chute outboard of the gun's breech. This weapon removed was followed by 299 additional Swordfish Mk Is in two production batches.
from some later Swordfish. ‘Swordfish entered front line service with No 825 Squadron aboard HMS GLORIOUS in July
Rear defense was provided by a single .303 caliber, drum fed Lewis or Vickers *K* machine 1936. Within three years, 13 FAA squadrons were flying Swordfish. Eleven of these squadrons
‘gun mounted in the aft cockpit and manned by the TelegraphisVAir Gunner. Six 100-round were flying from five of the Royal Navy’s seven carriers. These carriers included: HMS
drum magazines were stowed within the aft cockpit. The weapon was mounted on a Fairey COURAGEOUS with 811 and 822 Sqdns, HMS EAGLE with 814 and 824, HMS FURIOUS
High Speed Gun Mounting, which allowed rapid traverse and elevation around the torpedo- with 816 and 818, HMS GLORIOUS with 823 and 825, and HMS ARK ROYAL with 810,
bomber’s rear hemisphere. The mounting also allowed a degree of downward firing over the 820, and 821.
side of the aircraft, When not in use, the machine gun could be stowed within a slot in the upper Prior to the beginning of World War II inSeptember of 1939, diagonal fuselage bands were
fuselage decking displayed on FAA aircraft indicating their assigned aircraft carrier. Red was given to the FURI-
In late 1939, the Fleet Air Arm began conducting experiments in using airborne radar aboard OUS, white for the HERMES, black for the EAGLE, blue for the COURAGEOUS, yellow for
the Swordfish. The experiments proved to be successful and Swordfish Mk Is began appear- the GLORIOUS, and blue/red/blue for the ARK ROYAL. Swordfish floatplanes were also
ing with long-wave Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radars. The radar equipment was mounted in serving aboard the Royal Navy's battleships and cruisers.
 Fairey Swordfish Mk | Specifications
Wingspan: 45 feet 6 inches (13.9 m)
Length: 36 feet 1 inch (11 m)
Height: 12 feet 10 inches (3.9 m)
Empty Weight: 4700 pounds (2131.9 ks)
Maximum Weight: 9250 pounds (4195.8 ka)
Powerplant: One 690 HP Bristol Pegasus IlIM3 nine-cylinder, air-
cooled radial engine.
Armament: One forward firing .303 caliber (7.7um) Vickers Mark 2
machine gun with 600 rounds per gun (RPG) and one
-303 caliber Lewis or Vickers 'K' machine gun with 600
RPG in rear cockpit. One 18 inch (45.7 cm) Mark XII torpe-
B do, one 1500 Ib (680.4 Kc) sea mine or one 500 Ib (226.8 Ka)
oa % > bomb under the fuselage; maximum 1500 Ib load of
pw SO bombs or depth c! under the wings.
: Maximum Speed: 139 mex (223.7 kmx) at 4750 feet (1447.8 m)
—— Service Ceiling: 12,400 feet (3779.5 m)
Maximum Range: 770 miles (1239.2 km)
Crew: Three

A —
<< .

4K

10
The typical Swordfish crew consisted of (from right): pilot, navigator/observer, and The Telegraphist/Air Gunner (TAG) could cover most of the Swordfish’s rear hemisphere
Telegraphist/Air Gunner. The aircraft's cockpit was open to all weathers, with only the and provide li 1ed coverage over the aircraft's sides. The .303 caliber (7.7um) Vickers ‘K’
pilot enjoying a small windshield, Frozen flight crews returning from Arctic anti-subma- —machine gun was fitted to a Fairey High Speed Gun Mounting, which allowed rapid deploy-
rine patrols usually were lifted out of their aircraft by the deck crews. ment by the TAG. The 60 Imperial Gallon (72.1 US Gal/272.8 L) fuel tank behind the TAG
occupied much of the rear cockpit — the TAG or the Navigator/Observer was often left
behind when this tank was installed. (Fox)
The pilot's simple yet cluttered cockpit remained virtually unchanged throughout the Swordfish’s service life
= this cockpit was from a Swordfish Mk Il (V4689). Leather padding covered the front and side cockpit coam-
.303 Caliber (7.7mm) Vickers ‘K’ Machine Gun ing. The aircraft's light switch panel box was located just under the port coaming ahead of the throttle. The
control column was topped with a ring-shaped control grip, which included the forward machine gun firing
Overall Length:.........40 Inches (101.6 cm) button at its upper left and the brake control lever at the lower left. The rudder pedals were placed under the
Barrel Length:...........20 Inches (40.8 CM) instrument panel.
Weight (Unloaded):..19 Pounds, 8 Ounces (8.8 KG)
Magazine: ...100-Round Drum
Cyclic Rate of Fi 1050 Rounds per Minute
Muzzle Velocity: ...2450 Feet/Second (746.8 M/Second)

-303 Caliber (7.7mm) Lewis Machine Gun

Overall Length:. 50.5 Inches (128.3 cm)
Barrel Length 26.25 Inches (66.7 cM)
Weight (Unloaded):..26 Pounds (11.8 KG)
Ie. 47-Round or 97-Round Drum
Rate of Fire: 550 Rounds per Minute
Muzzle Velox 2450 Feet/Second (746.8 m/Second)
The airspeed indicator — calibrated in knots - was mounted in the upper left side of the The tachometer — which measured engine speed in RPM ~ wa!
Swordfish’s instrument panel. Below this instrument was the artificial horizon, with the side of the pilot's instrument panel. Immediately right of the tachometer was the oil tem-
direction finder to its right and the altimeter mounted below and right of the artificial hori- perature gauge, with the suction indicator and the clock on the panel's far right side. The
zon. The pilot pulled the light colored clutch ring at the bottom of the panel when the turn-and-bank indicator was located under the tachometer, with the oilpressure gauge
engine speed reached 80 revolutions per minute (RPM). When the engine fired, the start- below the oil temperature gauge. The fuel control cock lever located on the starboard side
ing magneto at far left was switched on and the external-starting handle was disengaged. console regulated the amount of fuel going into the engine. Two flare pistol cartridges
The throttle and elevator trim wheel are located on the port console. (BAe) were placed on the center console beside the right rudder pedal. (BAe)
12
Production Swordfish were fitted with an all-metal, three-bladed, fixed pitch Fairey-Reed The Swordfish Mk I was powered by the 690 horsepower (He) Bristol Pegasus IlIM3 engine.
propeller, which was capped with a small conical spinner. The Pegasus engine was sur- This nine-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine turned a three-bladed metal propeller. The
rounded by a Townend Ring, which incorporated the exhaust collector ring at the front. holes in the cylinder heads are the exhaust ports, which were connected to an exhaust
The Townend Ring - a common aircraft design element during the 1930s - improved the collector ring mounted at the front of the cowling. Baffles between the cylinders helped to
aerodynamics around the engine and helped force cooling air between the engine cylin- force air through the cooling fins. Later Swordfish variants were powered by the 750 HP
ders. Pegasus XXX engine, a development of the earlier Pegasus IlIM3.

13
The Swordfish's front fuselage was covered by removable metal panels, which allowed A three-aircraft ‘vic’ (section) leads other 820 Squadron Swordfish Mk Is approaching the
easy maintenance access to equipment mounted inside. These items included (from left) Scottish coast after taking off from the aircraft carrier HMS COURAGEOUS in 1938. Early
the fixed .303 caliber (7.7mm) Vickers machine gun, the 155 Imperial Gallon (186.1 US Swordfish were finished in overall Aluminum dope with Cerrux Grey metal panels. Before
Gal/704.6 1) fuel tank, a 13.7 Imperial Gallon (16.5 US Gal/62.3 t) oil tank, and the 690 HP World War ll, the Royal Navy used colored fuselage bands to identify the aircraft's
Bristol Pegasus Mk I!IM3 engine. Later Swordfish often flew without the forward machine assigned carrier ~ blue for the COURAGEOUS.
gun.
Swordfish Mk | K5942 of No 823 Squadron is examined by ground crews after a landing Four early to middle production Swordfish Mk Is cruise above sunny cloud tops while on
accident in 1937. The landing gear had collapsed and the metal propeller was bent; how- a training flight over the River Solent near England's south coast. The aircraft were fin-
ever, the airframe appeared otherwise intact. The yellow fuselage band indicates this ished in Aluminum dope with Cerrux Grey metal panels around the front fuselage and
Swordfish's assignment to the carrier HMS GLORIOUS - sister ship of the COURA- upper fuselage decking. K8875 - second from the bottom ~ was one of the dual-control
GEOUS. ‘Swordfish trainers. (IWM)
Armorers load an 18-inch (45.7 cu) Mark Xil torpedo onto a Swordfish. The fore-and-aft
crutches held the weapon securely in place until the pilot released it. The Swordfish could
carry one 1610 Ib (730.3 KG) torpedo or one 1500 Ib (680.4 Kc) mine between the splayed
landing gear. Alternatively, the aircraft could carry one 500 Ib (226.8 Kc) bomb or two 250
Ib (113.4 ka) bombs under the fuselage. (Fox)

(Above) The 18-inch Mark XII torpedo weighed 1610 Ibs (730.3 kc) and was slung between
the Swordfish’s fixed landing gear. Contra-rotating propellers prevented the torpedo from
rolling in the water and swerving off source. The torpedo's engine started when the
weapon hit the water after release from the aircraft. A coiled spring connected the aft tor-
pedo section to the fuselage undersurface. (REF Kerrison)

(Left) Swordfish L7651/B of the Torpedo Training Unit at Gosport drops a practice torpe-
do in 1938. Torpedoes were dropped at a height of 60 feet (18.3 u) and a aircraft speed of
90 knots (103.6 mPH/166.7 kuti). The Mark Xil torpedo's TNT explosive charge weighed 388
pounds (176 kc). (IWM)
15
The Swordfish was designed to use either wheels or floats, with the fittings for both built An early production Swordfish (K5662) tests its water handling characteristics on the
into the airframe. The beaching gear fitted to the floats allowed ground crews to maneu- River Solent in southern England, while carrying a training torpedo under the fuselage.
ver the floatplane on land. A .303 caliber Vickers machine gun was fitted just below the Float-equipped Swordfish retained the full weapons capability of their wheeled siblings;
pilot's windshield and a Lewis gun projects out of the aft cockpit. however, the floatplanes had reduced range, endurance, and speed.
Changing from a wheeled undercarriage to floats was a common task for deck crews and A float equipped Swordfish Mk |, L2742/529, cruises slowly over Gibraltar during 1938.
required hoisting the aircraft up to effect the change. This No 824 Squadron Swordfish Mk This aircraft was assigned to No 701 Ship's Flight and had a blue fuselage band with white
| (K8390) was on the deck of the carrier HMS EAGLE, which operated in Chinese waters numbers. Pilots always said that the take-off, cruise, and landing speeds of the Swordfish
from 1937 to 1940. The fuselage band and engine cowling are black with 946 in white on floatplane were all the same! The maximum speed of the float-equipped Swordfish was
the band. approximately 100 mpH (161 Km).
Home Waters
‘The first major Swordfish attack took place duri
from the carrier FURIOUS attacked German destroyers in Trondheim, Norway on 11 April
1940. This raid failed, due to the torpedoes running aground in the shallow harbor water. Two
days later, a Swordfish floatplane from the battleship WARSPITE bombed and sank U-64, the
first submarine sunk by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). During April and May,Swordfish from the
carriers ARK ROYAL and GLORIOUS bombed German positions in Norw
On 8 June, the German battlecruisers GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST sank the GLO-
RIOUS and two escorting destroyers southwest of Narvik, Norway. Soon after the GLORI-
OUS was sunk, six torpedo-armed Swordfish set off from Hatston inthe Orkney
intercept the German warships. The GNEISENAU had departed by the e the Swordfish
arrived; thus, the aircraft turned their full attention to the SCHARNHORST. Diving from 8000,
feet (2438.4 M) through considerable anti-aircraft (AA) fire, the pilots released their torpedoes.
All of these weapons missed the SCHARNHORST and two Swordfish were lost.
When the Germans overran the Netherlands and Belgium in May of 1940, the Royal Air
Force (RAF) Coastal Command found itself short of aircraft. The RAF appealed to the
to loan them some squadrons until the situation stabilized,
812, 815, 818, 825, and 829 — found themselves flying d:
risking intense AA fire to dive-bomb German tanks and vehicles. Most $
some form of damage; however, these aircraft went out again at night to lay mines and attack
ports and harbor installations
Serman battleship BISMARCK brokeoutinto the North Atlantic in M yy of 1941, threat- Swordfish Mk Is line up on the flight deck of the carrier HMS ARK ROYAL on a sunny
ening merchant shipping in British home waters. The British Home Fl morning prior to a day's flying in 1939. The ARK ROYAL embarked Swordfish from 810,
sink her, The BISMARCK was located in the Denmark Strait separating Greenland from 820, and 821 Squadrons, which shared the flight deck with Blackburn Skua fighter/dive
Iceland. The carrier VICTORIOUS launched nine Swordfish ~led by Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde bombers of 800 and 803 Squadrons during this time.
at approximately midnight on 24/25 May 1941, under atrocious weather conditions. These them. He received a posthumous Victoria Cross for leading the attempt to stop the ‘Channel
aircraft scored at least one torpedo hit on the BISMARCK, which only slowed her slightly Dash.’ The day before Esmonde died, King George VI presented him with the Distinguished
ARK ROYAL’s 15 Swordfish attacked in appalling weather the next day. The Swordfish locat- Service Order (DSO) at Buckingham Palace, London. The DSO was presented to Esmonde for
ed the BISMARCK using their Air-to-Surface Vessel radar and scored two hits. These hits leading the VICTORIOUS’ Swordfish attack on the BISMARCK the previous May.
destroyed the battleship’s steering gear, damaged the propellers, and jammed her rudders.
When the British realized that the BISMARCK could only steer with greatdifficulty, another HMS FURIOUS prepares to launch her anti-submarine patrol off a rain lashed deck during
torpedo strike was prepared. Before the Swordfish could make another attack, the guns of the 1941. Each No 822 Squadron Swordfish Mk I carried six 246 Ib (111.6 ka) Mark Vill depth
Home Fleet and Gib based Force H sank the BISMARCK on 27 M: charges~three under each wing. The FURIOUS primarily served in British Home Waters
‘The last great Swordfish torpedo attack occurred on 12 February 1942, during the gallant raid during World War Il.
on a German surface fleet sailing throu English Channel to Germany's River Elbe. The
battlecruisers GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST and the heavy cruiser PRINZ EUG!
were holed up in Brest, France, German leader Adolf Hitler ordered these ships to brea
night and dash north in poor weather conditions under the code name Operation CEREBUS.
During the night of 11/12 February, the three warships ~ escorted by six la destroy rs and
34 va

searstipasawere the six Swordfish of No $25 Squadron at RAF Manston, England Lt Cdr
Eugene Esmonde led his unit into a maelstrom of heavily overcast cloud with patchy r
prowling Luftwaffe fighters, and intense AA fire from the fleet. The first wave of three
‘Swordfish launched their torpedoes, which the German ships avoided: however, the second
wave was shot to ribbons before it could get close enough to launch. All six Swordfish were
shot down by the Germans. Five of the 18 crewmen survived, but Esmonde was not one of
‘Swordfish Mk | K8376/2Q ‘Queenie’ is believed to have been the aircraft which torpedoed ‘Swordfish 4K of No 810 Squadron is launched under appalling weather conditions from
the German battleship BISMARCK during the night of 24/25 May 1941. The aircraft was the ARK ROYAL on 26 May 1941. Its target was the German battleship BISMARCK, which
operating with No 825 Squadron aboard HMS VICTORIOUS during that episode. This was on the loose in the North Atlantic. The 15 Swordfish launched on this strike mistook
‘Swordfish was assigned to 833 Squadron when photographed over Jamaica in October of the cruiser HMS SHEFFIELD for the BISMARCK and launched 11 torpedoes at the British
1941. ship. All torpedoes missed much to the relief of all concerned. A second strike that night
Good deck landings are a fine art — this Swordfish pilot of No 810 Squadron landing found the BISMARCK and put two torpedoes into the German battleship.
aboard HMS ARK ROYAL looks as if he has got it right, although an aircraft is never safe
Until itis stationary! The Swordfish used a V-shaped arresting hook fastened to the lower
fuselage longerons. This hook snagged one of the steel cables slightly raised over the aft Arresting Hook
section of the carrier's flight deck. (IWM)
Swordfish P3993/22 was assigned to No 785 Operational Training Squadron at Crail in WRNS (Women's Royal Navy Service) personnel maintain this Swordfish's radios. In
1941. The 18-inch torpedo dropped by this aircraft carried an explosive charge of 388 Ibs order to conserve the aircraft's battery power, the ‘Wrens’ are using a small gasoline pow-
(176 kc) of TNT and had a maximum range of 3500 yards (3200.4 ) at 27 knots (31.1 mPH/SO ered generator placed inside a covered cart. WRNS personnel carried out many mainte-
kui). A higher speed setting of 40 knots (46.1 mPH/74,2 Kui) reduced the torpedo's range nance duties on naval aircraft during World War Il, which freed men for combat duty.
to 1500 yards (1371.6 m). (FAM S/FSH 29) wm)
‘The Swordfish Mk | and later Mk II were each capable of carrying an aerial sea mine, which Swordfish Mk Is of No 700 Squadron a training unit - taxi out on a blustery rainy day at
‘was similar in size to the 18 inch (45.7 cit) torpedo. This Swordfish Mk |is on a training RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Hatston in the Orkney Islands, just north of Scotland.
sortie with one A Mk | mine mounted underneath the fuselage. The mine was dropped with Groundecrew run at the wingtips helping to control the aircraft in the gusty conditions. It
or without a parachute to a minimum depth of 30 feet (9.1 1). (IWM) was not unknown for large biplanes to be blown completely over in such weather. (WM)
Eighteen inch training torpedoes are loaded on two Swordfish Mk Is of No 785 Squadron Field hockey players on board an ILLUSTRIOUS class carrier hit the deck as a Swordfish
at RNAS Crail, Scotland, Training torpedoes were routinely launched, recovered, and used Mk I made a low pass over their ‘field.’ The Swordfish has just returned from a target-tow-
again. The upper wing leading edge slats are hanging down on both aircraft. The ing detail and was equipped with a target tow winch in the aft cockpit. The carrier's for-
‘Swordfish Mk | was powered by a 690 Hp Pegasus IIIM3 engine and was equipped with a ward elevator was lowered to the hangar deck, while one of her aircraft launching cata-
small oil cooler on the starboard side of the forward fuselage. (IWM) pults ran along the port side of the flight deck. (IWM)
When not required for flying, many Swordfish were parked in shore-based hangars with ‘A Swordfish comes to grief while landing on the training carrier HMS ARGUS. Both lower
wings folded and armament removed. The reduction in storage space required by a wingtips and the propeller blades were damaged from contact with the flight deck. The
Swordfish with folded wings allowed for more aircraft to be housed. Before the war, spare slot for stowing the rear machine gun was located in the aft fuselage decking, immediately
Swordfish were stored at various depots around Britain and the Mediterranean. aft of the rear cockpit.
Action in the Mediterranean
The Swordfish-equipped No 787 Training Squadron was operating in southern France when
Italy declared war on Britain and France on 10 June 1940. Four days later, these aircraft car-
ried out a bombing raid on Genca, Italy. When France surrendered to the Axis on 22 June, the
Squadron flew to the island of Malta, where they operated as 830 Squadron. Flying mainly’at
night, this unit attacked enemy convoys and shore bases. Over the next nine months, 830
‘Squadron sank an average of 50,000 tons (45.360 11)ofenemy shipping per month and con-
ued in action for another 18 months. Some of the operations they undertook included long
flights at night over the sea in appalling weather to attack convoys, enemy oil refineries, dams,
airfields, and mining harbors and striking other ‘softer’ targets.
Another Swordfish action in the Mediterranean included the unsavory task of inc
the French Fleet at Mers-el-Kebir, Algeria on 3 July 1940, after the French refused an offer to
join the Allies. Many raids were also carried out against Italian airfields, ships, and harbors
using bombs, depth charges, or torpedoes. On 22August, three Swordfish of 813 Squadron —
ashore at Alexandria, Egypt from the ARK ROYAL =acted upon information received from a
RAF Blenheim light bomber. The torpedo bombers attacked enemy shipping inLibya's Bomba
Bay, west of Tobruk. Arriving unobserved from seaward, the three old biplanes sank three
ships and a submarine for the expenditure of three torpedoes and no loss or damage to them-
selves in a matter of minutes! Swordfish Mk Is L9729/4A and P4137/4K of No 620 Squadron were temporarily based
The crowning glory for the Swordfish —and an outstanding example of a classic carrier tor- ashore at Dekhelia, Egypt in April of 1940. The squadron was normally part of the ARK
pedo-bombing attack on enemy shipping ~ occurred during the raid on the Malian fleet ROYAL's air wing. These Swordfish were part of the last two production batches at Fairey
\chored in Taranto harbor, Italy. The commanderofthe British Mediterranean Flet, Admiral before production was transferred to Blackburn in 1940.
Sir Andrew Cunningham, dan attack on the night of 21 October 1940 — the
anniversary ofthe British navalvictory at the Battle ofTrafalgarin1805. A hangar fire aboard ‘A Swordfish Mk | of No. 820 Squadron taxis down the flight line at Dekhelia, Egypt in April
the ILLUSTRIOUS delayed the night strike until 11 November, when the moon would favor of 1940. ARK ROYAL’s Swordfish retained their naval camouflage while operating from
such a raid, Swordfish from the EAGLE joined those aboard the IL 10cover the the desert base. Uppersurfaces were camouflaged in Extra Dark Sea Grey (FS36118) and
hangar fire losses. During the evening of 11 November, when the ILLU: 1g Dark Slate Grey (FS34096), with Sky Grey (FS36463) on the sides and undersurfaces.
towards her target, Martin Marylands and Short Sunderlands operating from Malta found six
Italian battleships inthe harbor with numerous other vessels. Approximately 190 miles (305.8
kM) from Taranto, the ILLUSTRIOUS launched 21 Swordfish in two waves: eleven aircraft
were armed with torpedoes and the other ten with bombs and flares. All eleven torpedoes were
successfully launched with six scoring hits on three battleships. One torpedo hit the CONTE
di CAVOUR, sinking the old battleship. The CAIO DUILIO was hit by two torpedoes and
beached, while the new battleship LITTORIO was damaged by three torpedo hits. Both the
DUILIO and the LITTORIO were put out of action for six months. Bombs hit and dam
wo cruisers, two destroyers, a seaplane base, and an oil supply depot. Two Swordfish were
lost in the raid, with wo aircrewmen killed and two other crewmen taken prisoner by the
Italians.
The Swordfish crews overcame horrendous obstacles in attacking the Italian Fleet. Taranto’s
air defenses included barrage balloons, 21 100MM (4 inch) gun batteries, 200 light guns, and
thousands of guns aboard the ships. Italian land batteries alone expended 8500 ircraft
shells during the British attack. The anti-submarine nets around the major warships extended
25 feet (7.62 M) below the surface, but the British torpedoes were set to run at 30 feet (9.14 m1).
The Taranto raid was a tremendous victory, not only helping to swing the balance of power in
the Mediterranean to Britain, but vindicating the use of carrier-borne aircraft as a strikin;
force. A study of this surprise torpedo attack could not have been more helpful to the Japanese.
(Above Left) Three Swordfish Mk Is assigned to No 824 Squadron fly a training mission
from Gibraltar in 1942. This Squadron was based with 813 Squadron on Gibraltar for a
ime to provide aircraft for the carrier HMS EAGLE, which was assigned to the British
Mediterranean Fleet. Three radio transmitter antennas protrude from the leading edges of
each Swordfish’s upper wing center section. The Type A1 fuselage roundel ~ red (center),
white, blue, and yellow ~ was superceded by the Type C1 roundel during the spring of
1942.

(Above) A Swordfish of 824 Squadron, believed to be a late production Mk | operating

from HMS EAGLE, lands aboard the USS WASP (CV-7) on 10 May 1942. The American car-
rier WASP made two runs from Gibraltar to Malta in April and May, delivering 47 much
needed Supermarine Spitfires on each trip to the beleaguered island. The WASP was later
transferred to the Pacific, where she was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine I-19 and
lost on 15 September 1942. (via R Sturtivant)

(Left) No. 813 Squadron spent some time ashore at Gibraltar while patrolling the straits
between Europe and Africa. Swordfish V4515/4A, here on an anti-submarine patrol, was
part of the first Mk | production batch built by Blackburn. The fuselage code 4A was in
Identification Red (FS30109). The Type C1 fuselage roundel — introduced in the spring of
1942 — featured reduced areas of white and yellow. The fin flash adopted during the same
period also had a smaller white portion relative to the red and blue sections. This
‘Swordfish was lost on 7 February 1943.
Swordfish Mk | V4448/B of 833 Squadron wore a tempo-
rary US star for its participation in Operation TORCH, the
Allied invasion of French North Africa in November of
1942. A narrow yellow border surrounded the US roundel
= a white star inside a blue circle. The US insignia was
also painted on the upper and lower wings. US markings
were used on British aircraft to confuse the pro-Axis
Vichy French into thinking this invasion was solely an
American operation. Operation TORCH, in fact, was a
joint US-British effort. The fuselage code letter B was
black with a white outline, while the aft fuselage title
ROYAL NAVY and the serial number were black. The
British fin flash was overpainted for Operation TORCH.
(FAA Museum via Sturtivant)

Just overone year later —on 7 December 1941 the Japanese

carried out a similar attack on the USPacific Fleet at Pearl
Harbor, with similar devastating results.
FAA strikes on Axis positions in the Mediterranean con
tinued through late 1940 and early 1941, On LL March, six
Swordfish from No 815 Squadron flew from Paramythia,
Greece to attack shipping in the harbors at Durazzo (now
Durres) and Valona (now Viore) in Italian-occupied Albania.
Despite enemy night fighters and shallow water, two torpedo
hits were scored, On 28 March, the Swordfish were involved
in the sinking of three Italian cruisers - the POLA, the
ZARA, and the FIUME ~at the Battle of Cape Matapan. The
German invasion by land and air ultimately meant the with-
drawal of Allied forces from Greece: the last two Swordfish
in the area left in April of 1941.

Swordfish supported British operations in Egypt's

Western Desert by conducting night attacks on Axis air-
fields and armored vehicles during the late fall of 1942.
4697 of 815 Squadron at Fayid, Egypt was painted with
black undersurfaces for night operations. The Extra Dark
‘Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey uppersurface camouflage
was retained by these Swordfish in North Africa. The aft
fuselage title ROYAL NAVY and the serial number were
white. This Swordfish Mk I was equipped with a sand filter
mounted beneath the cowling, which prevented desert
‘sand from damaging the internal engine parts. (H Levy)
 East of Africa and the Indian Ocean
In February of 1941, Swordfish from the carrier HERMES were in action against 16 Axis
merchant ships blockaded inthe harboratMogadishu, Italian Somaliland (now Somalia). After
breaking out, the ships declined British demands to return to the harbor and continued on their
journey. Some of the Axis ships were subjected to bombing attacks by the Swordfish, which
sank at least three vessels and forced others to run aground. The remaining ships retuned to
Mogadishu. In May, Swordfish from the HERMES helped put down a pro-Axis rebellion in
Iraq led by Rashid Ali El-Ghailani. The Swordfish bombed rebel-held barracks and forts until
the Iraqi insurgents gave up the following month.
‘The HERMES then sailed into the Indian Ocean and disembarked her aircraft in Ceylon (now
Sri Lanka), At least four of her Swordfish were also based in Singapore when the Japanese
attacked there in December of 1941, but these aircraft only survived a few days of Japanese
atta s. On 5 April 1942, six Swordfish from No 814 Squadron were airborne over Ceylon
when the Japanese launched rier-based air strike igainst the port facilities at Colombo,
The Japanese shot down all six Swordfish with no loss to themselves. Japanese carrier aircraft
sank the HERMES southeast of Ceylon on 9 April
Concern over a possible Japanese seizure and use of airfields and port facilities on the island
of Madagascar (nowtheMalagasy Republic) ~particularly Diego Suarez ~ledto a British plan
This Swordfish Mk |, V4587 of 830 Squadron, was approaching Malta when a _ todeny such action in May of 1942. Operation IRONCLAD was designed to seizeMadagascar
Messerschmitt Bf 109 attacked it. The German fighter's cannon and machine gun fire dam- from a strong garrison of pro-Axis Vichy French forces
aged the Swordfish’s horizontal stabilizer and port wings. Violent evasive action by the trike forces, each comprised of six Swordfish from the ca ier ILLUSTRIOUS, sup-
Swordfish's pilot saved the aircraft and its crew from any further damage. amphibious assault on 5 May he Swordfish from the first strike force torpedoed
and sank the French armed merchant cruiser
BOUGAINVILLE in Diego S rez harbe The sub:
marine BEVEZIERES was sunk by Swordfish-
dropped depth charges assigned to the second force
The next day, Swordfish from the carrier
INDOMITABLE sank the sloop D'ENTRE
CASTEAUX and the submarine LE HEROS wa
destroyed by ILLUSTRIOUS' Swordfish. ‘The
Madagascar campaign ended with the Vichy French
surrender on 7 May 1942.

A Swordfish Mk Il, HS164/2F of 810 Squadron,

cruises off Tanga, Tanganyika (now Tanzania) on
the East African coast. Both 810 and 829
Squadrons flew Swordfish from HMS ILLUSTRI-
OUS during the Madagascar campaign in May of
1942. The torpedo bomber was also equipped with
the early ASV (Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar, whose
antennas were mounted on the forward outboard
wing struts.
Fairey Swordfish Mk I
(648/K8880) was assigned to 820
Squadron, which flew from the
aircraft carrier HMS COURA-
GEOUS in 1937. The Squadron's
crest was displayed on the verti- =sn
cal stabilizer, while the blue . et
fuselage band identified the car-
rier this Swordfish was
assigned to.

The Fleet Air Arm's

765 Squadron at
Lee-on-Solent,
England operated
this Swordfish Mk |
floatplane
(Y8L/P4084) on
coastal patrol duties
in early 1940.

This Swordfish Mk | (2Q/K8376)

of 825 Squadron aboard the car-
rier HMS VICTORIOUS was
believed to have hit the German
battleship BISMARCK with a tor-
pedo on the evening of 24/25 May
1941. This aircraft later served
with 833 Squadron in Jamaica.

Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde flew

this Swordfish Mk | (H/W5984)
when he led the unsuccessful
attack against the ‘Channel
Dash' of German warships
through the English Channel on
12 February 1942. Esmonde
received a posthumous Victoria
Cross for his gallantry that day.

Swordfish Mk | (B/V448)
received temporary US national
insignia for Operation TORCH,
the Anglo-American invasion of
French North Africa in
November of 1942. This aircraft
was assigned to 833 Squadron.
This Swordfish Mk | (V4689/G)
was used to test the Mk IX ASV
(Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar
mounted under the forward
fuselage. This aircraft also test-
ed the Pumpkin searchlight
mounted under the starboard
wing. The G at the end of the
serial number indicated an air-
craft to be guarded on the
ground, due to its sensitive
equipment.

Swordfish Mk: Ils operating off

MAC(Merchant Aircraft Carrier)-
Ships - such as E2 (LS276) -
received MERCHANT NAVY aft
fuselage titles in place of the
standard ROYAL NAVY titles.
This aircraft was assigned to E
Flight, 836 Squadron aboard
the MAC-Ship AMASTRA in
1943-44.

This Swordfish Mk II (LS348/KL)

was operated by the Fleet Air
Arm's 756 Squadron from
Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) during
1944. The British Southeast
Asia Command (SEAC)
roundels and fin flashes did not
have red, to prevent their being
confused with the Japanese red
hinomaru (circle) insignia.

The Royal Air Force's 119

Squadron at Bircham Newton,
England operated this
Swordfish Mk Ill (NH-F/NF410)
on night patrols over the
English Channel and the North
Sea coast in early 1945.

Aircraft Q (HS325) was a

Swordfish Mk IV assigned to the
Naval Air Gunnery School at
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in 1944.
The Swordfish Mk IV — convert-
ed from the earlier Swordfish Mk
il- featured an enclosed canopy
to shelter the crew against the
harsh Canadian winter.
 ioe Sars
‘Swordfish Mk | W5864/F of 833 Squadron was flown by the unit's commanding officer, ‘Swordfish Mk | V4319 (foreground) served with 814 Squadron before ditching in China
Captain William G. S. Aston of the Royal Marines. The Fleet Air Arm loaned this Squadron Bay, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) on 17 July 1942, V4320 spent its working life with 753 and
to RAF Coastal Command in early 1943 for minelaying, night patrols, and shipping attacks 776 training squadrons. Both aircraft lack their underwing bomb and flare racks and pro-
in the English Channel. W5864 was a late production, Blackburn-built, Swordfish Mk | peller spinners. The upper wing leading edge slats - used for low-speed handling at high
equipped with the Pegasus XXX engine and the enlarged oil cooler. angles of attack ~ are deployed on V4319, (BAe)
Many Swordfish carried individual markings during World War Il. DIRTY DICK | obviously ‘A port wing mounted five million candlepower Leigh Light with a centerline power pack
refers to the pirate character painted on the fuselage, although there may be a deeper was developed to help the Swordfish find surface targets — particularly ships and U-boats
meaning. Ground crewmen turned the engine starting crank fitted in front of the pirate. —at night. A Swordfish Mk | was fitted with this equipment for trials in the fall of 1942. The
This crank turned the inertia starter, which the pilot then engaged byturning on the igni- heavy power unit combined with the searchlight’s excessive drag to seriously degrade
tion and the hand starter magneto in the cockpit. (IWM) the Swordfish’s performance, which resulted in this idea being shelved.
 Swordfish Mk Il
By 1943, the swordfish Mk I's usefulness as a pure torpedo-bomber was waning owing to &
lack of suitable ts and the introduction of the more modern and higher performing Fairey
Barracuda. The Swordfish Mk IT entered service in 1943 and quickly represented an effort to
increase both the performance and the firepower over that of the earlier Swordfish Mk 1
‘The first production Swordfish Mk Ils originally retained the Mk I's 690 HP Bristol Pegasus
IIIMG engine; however, thevastmajority of Swordfish Mk IIs werefitted with themore pow-
erful 750 hp Pegasus XXX nine-cylinder engine, Pegasus XXX-powered Swordfish re ved
an enlat ed oil cooler on the starboard side of the forward fuselag The resulting performance
increase was marginal, due to the i reased weight of the aircraft's structure and equipment.
The firepower improvements centered on the mounting of four rocket rails beneath each
The lower wings’ structures were strengthened and their undersurfaces skinned
with etal in placeofthe lier fabric. This metal skinni gprotected the wings from the rock-
et blast. Each underwing rack was used to mo int four three-inch (76.2MM), 60 Ib (27.2 kG)
high explosive rocket projectiles (R/P) or four th e-inch, 25 Ib (11.3 KG) armor piercing R/Ps.
The R/Ps were developed by the Woolwich Arsenal in E jand and first fired on 25 October
1941 These rockets measured four feet (1.2 M) long and used cordite for its propellant. The
projectiles re thed a speed of 1520 feet (463.3 My/second at a distance of 1000 feet (304.8 m)
from the launch point, which ed to 1740 ft (530.4 My/see after 3000 ft (914.4 M),
The Swordfish Mk Il was provided with reinforced and metal-covered lower wings
designed to carry a quartet of 3-inch (76.2um) rocket projectiles (R/Ps). The aircraft Swordfish Mk |
retained its torpedo capability, although this was seldom used. Racks for lightweight
bombs and flares were retained on the wings outboard of the R/P launchers. This
‘Swordfish was also equipped with the early ASV (Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar antennas
‘on the forward outer wing struts. (WM)

Four Rocket Rails

Under Each Lower Z Metal-Covered Lower
Wing Wing Surface
‘The Swordfish Mk II's lower wings were fitted with sheet metal panels to protect the fab-
ric-covered wings against rocket blast. Mk Ils were also equipped with the more powerful
750 ue Pegasus XXX engine and an enlarged oil cooler. This aircraft was fitted with the
large flame and noise dampening exhaust commonly fitted to Swordfish engaged in night
operations. HS158 served with at least five units before running off the flight deck of the
escort carrier HMS BATTLER on 30 August 1945. (BAe)
 Swordfish pilots could launch these rockets in either pairs (one from each wing) or all eight
in salvo. When launched together, the eight R/Psdelivered the equivalent of a broadside from
an 8-inch (20.3 eM) gun cruiser. The ideal aiming point for launching the R/Ps at surfaced sub-
marines was 60 feet (18.3 M) from the target.
The use of these rocket rails required the deletion of the inboard wing bomb
bomb racks); however, the outboard light bomb/fla carriers were re tained. The Mk II also
ed the ability to cary a ill
Swordfish often found it difficult to take off from a carrier with a full warload. It was not
unusual for the Swordfish Mk IT — with the strengthened lower \
little or no wind — to reduce its weapon load, drain some fu
(TelegraphisAir Gunner) behind. Swordfish Mk IIs also retained the use of the early
(Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar system
‘The Sword! ish Mk II found a new lease on life when it began operating from escort ca
n the nti-submarine role —a role for which the rocket proj iles proved highly effective.
wordfish hit using R/Ps occurred on 13 May 194: whe reraft of 819
Squadron, operating from the escort carrier HMS ARCHER, sank the German submarine
U-752 in the North Atlantic. Blackburn built 1080 Swordfish Mk IIs in 1943 before produc-
tion switched to the later Swordfish Mk I,
‘Swordfish Mk Il LS434/B3 was assigned to B Flight, 836 Squadron aboard the Merchant
Standard Engine Exhaust Aircraft Carrier (MAC)-Ship MV EMPIRE MAcALPINE during 1944. The aircraft was
equipped with both R/Ps and ASV radar. The name Benvorlich in black wa:
(Swordfish Mk 1) diately aft of the engine cowling. This Swordfish Mk II had the large oil
ed engine exhaust pipe standard to this variant. The extended engin
exhaust flames, which would give away the Swordfish’s presence at night or in bad
weather.

Large Oil Cooler

Small Oil Cooler (Swordfish Mk II
(Swordfish Mk 1) and later variants)

Extended Engine
Exhaust
(Swordfish Mk Il
and later variants)
Flame/Noise
Damper
WHE
UNNI FMM
FH)

29
Naval armorers load 3-inch (76.2um) rocket projectiles (R/Ps) under the wing of a
‘Swordfish Mk Il. The wires trailing under the wing are the ‘pigtails,’ which were connect-
ed to the rear of the R/Ps to ignite the rocket motors. This Swordfish was also equipped
with the fluted, flame and noise dampening exhaust. The Swordfish Mk Il was powered by
the later 750 He Pegasus XXX engine and was fitted with the enlarged oil cooler. (IWM)
Armorers load bombs under the wings of a Swordfish Mk |; Swordfish Mk IIs and later vari-
ants also had this capability . The usual bomb load was six 250 Ib (113.4 ke) bombs —
three mounted under each wing. Carrying bombs and torpedoes together was compara- Wing Bomb Racks (Swordfish Mk II
tively rare. This Swordfish was also equipped with a Yagi directional antenna for an early
ASV radar mounted on the front outer wing strut. (IWM) and Mk III) with Three 250 Ib (113.4
kG) Bombs
Swordfish Mk III
The Swordfish Mk III was introduced in 1943 — the same year as the Mk II. The Mk IIL
shared the Mk I's 750 Hp Pegasus XXX engine and rocket launching capability, combined
with an upgraded radar system, The Mk III car ied the improved — and much heavier —Mk
XI Air-to-Surface Vessel (ASV) radar mounted between the undere: riage legs side a large
cover. The radar operator's equipment was mounted within the Navigator/Observer’s cockpit.
‘The ASV Mk XI ~ erroneously called the Mk X by other sources ~ had a maximum r:
37.2 miles (60 KM) against ships. This short-wave (centimetric) radar could detect a surfaced
submarine at approximately 12.4 miles (20 kM) while the Swordfish was flying at 2000 feet
(610 M). This device could only detect a submarine’s schnorkel (air-breathing tube) in the
calmest seas and at distances under five miles (8 kM). The ASV Mk XI could give target bear-
ings with an accuracy of approximately 2°. The Mk XI short-wave radar — in addition to its
ability to detect small objects, such as schnorkels ~ was more difficult for the Germans to
detect and counter than the long-wave ASV radar fitted to earlier Sword sh.
‘The Mk XI radars location prevented the carriage of torpedoes and other ordnance under the
fuselage. The Swordfish Mk IIE retained the Mk II's wing-mounted weapons, including the
eight R/P (Rocket Projectile) launch \d the outboard light bomb/flare racks. Radar-
ipped Mk IIIs were sometimes paired with R/P-armed Mk Ils to form “hi ter-killer’ teams
in night attacks against U-boats and surf ‘Swordfish Mk | V4689/G was used to test the new ASV XI radar, which became standard
‘The Swordfish Mk IIL, carrying the extra weight of the ASV radar essential for night opera- equipment on the Swordfish Mk Ill. Additionally, a large searchlight was fitted under the
tions, usually dispensed with the Telegraphis¥Air Gunner (TAG) altogether. From 1944, starboard wing. British aircraft carrying sensitive equipment — in this case, the radar —
Swordfish were cleared to use Rocket Assisted Take-Oit Gear(RATOG), consisting of two often had a ‘G’ added to their serial number. This indicated that this aircraft had to be
downward-angled rockets mounted to the fuselage sides. The welcome boost in power provid- guarded while on the ground. A Short Stirling bomber is in the background. (IWM)
ed by RATOG allowed the Swordtish to carry a larger weapons or fuel load.
This Swordfish Mk Ill (NF410/NH-F) was assigned to No 119 Squadron at RAF Bircham
Newton, England and had a yellow Donald Duck painted on the forward fuselage. A 250 Ib
Swordfish Mk II bomb is mounted under the port wing, with four flares placed outboard of the bomb. The
aircraft was overall black with red markings. (IWM)

TEIN Be alk || |

-O)

ASV Radar Radar Scope in

Pod Observer/Navigator’s Cockpi
 ‘Swordfish Mk Ills of 119 Squadron peel off to
attack enemy shipping in the English Channel in
early 1945. Each aircraft was carrying a combina-
tion of four 250 Ib bombs and eight flares under
the wings. The flare was released from the aircraft
and lighted to illuminate the target area, while a
parachute deployed to slow the flare’s descent to
the surface. (IWM)

In 1944, a number of RAF and RCAF (Royal

Canadian Air Force) squadrons were equipped with
Swordfish for English Channel patrols. These air-
craft carried out attacks on German E-boats (torpedo
boats) and midget submarines conducting nuisance
raids in the Channel.
When Swordfish began to get festooned with
external weapons and aerials, someone remarked,
No housewife on a shopping spree could cram a
wider variety of articles into her stringbag.” (A
sti is an expandable bag used by
Englishwomen to carry purchased items home.) The
name caught on and Swordfish crews became proud
of the fact that they flew ‘Stringbags.’ Blackburn
built 320 Swordfish Mk Ills, including the final
‘Swordfish Mk Ill (NR995/G, F) gets airborne during a trials flight. RATOG (Rocket Assisted Swordfish produced (NS204). This aircraft was completedatSherburnon18 August 1944 and
Take Off Gear) equipment was fitted to the inboard lower wing undersurfaces. This equip- delivered to 835 Squadron at Palisadoes, Jamaica
ment provided additional take off power for heavily laden aircraft. The Swordfish was
camouflaged in Extra Dark Sea Grey (FS36118) and Dark Slate Grey (FS34096) on the
uppersurfaces, with Flat White on the sides and undersurfaces. Lower wing uppersur- ASV (Air-to-Surface
faces were finished in Dark Sea Grey (FS36173) and Light Slate Grey (FS34159). Letters
and numbers on the tail were black. Vessel) Radar Pod
Wing Strut Radar

oectmene
warsemen
The last of 2392 Swordfish built was a
Blackburn constructed Mk Ill (NS204)
completed on 18 August 1944. The air-
craft was equipped with Rocket
Projectile (RIP)
wings and an Ai I
(ASV) radome under the forward fuse-
lage. Yagi directional antennas are
mounted on the front outboard wing
struts, NS204 served with the Fleet Air
Arm's 813 and 835 Squadrons from
1944 until 1945. Fairey built 692
‘Swordfish Mk Is at Hayes before remain-
ing production switched to Blackburn's
plant in Sherburn, England. (BAe)

A RATOG (Rocket Assisted Take Off

Gear) equipped Swordfish Mk Ill lifts off
a floating airstrip during tests in
Scottish waters. Allied planners were
concerned about the lack of carriers
and airstrips available to them in sup-
port of an invasion of Japan planned for
the fall of 1945. The construction of
floating airstrips was one proposal
meant to alleviate this shortage. The
war with Japan ended before this con-
cept could be put into operational use.
 Swordfish Mk IV
Over 100 Swordfish Mk Ils were sent to Canada for TAG (Telegraphis/Air Gunner) train-
at the Naval Air Gunnery School in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Approximately 59 of these
‘Swordfish were given an enclosed cockpit to protect their crews from the harsh Canadian win-
ters. These Swordfish were redesignated Swordfish Mk IVs. This enclosure included a pilot's
canopy hinged to open upward and to starboard and a TAG's canopy which opened upward and
forward. Why this modification was not used on Swordfish on Arctic convoy duty ~ when air-
crews were literally hauled from their open cockpits nearly frozen to death — is not known.
Several Swordfish Mk IVs were later converted to target tugs, towing fabric targets for TAGs
their Weapons on. The target tug Swordfish’s undersurfaces were painted with
jagonal black and yellow stripes ~the standard British marking scheme for such aircraft ~ to
increase their visibility to the gunners.
By the mid-war period, at least 30 front line squadrons and 60 second line units operated the
Swordfish. This venerable biplane continued to serve in large numbers until the end of World
War Il in 1945. The final oper tiona wordfish unit, 836 Squadron, was disbanded on 21 May
1945. A few Swordfish lingered on during the post-war period, but these aircraft quickly dis-
appeared when modern types took over their roles. Some were used for training in Canada until
1947, while a few other examples were used in the UK for utility roles until 1951, Surviving
Swordfish were declared surplus to Fleet Air Arm requirements in 1952, except for those
Approximately 100 Swordfish were dispatched to Canada to provide training for retained for display in museums.
Telegraphist/Air Gunners (TAGs). The aircraft were based at Yarmouth RCAF station in
Nova Scotia, where they operated between January of 1943 and March of 1945. Swordfish
Mk I HS275/J remained in service until 4 September 1946. (RA Joss)
Swordfish Mk lls fitted with enclosed cockpits in Canada became known as Mk IVs. Swordfish Mk Il
Swordfish Mk IVs retained the capability to mount a .303 caliber (7.7mm) Vickers machine
gun in the aft cockpit for use by student TAGs. Swordfish HS325 carried the black code
letter Q on a yellow aft fuselage panel. (RA Joss)

Swordfish Mk IV
Enclosed Cockpit

o
Weapons Not Carried
Under Wings and
Fuselage
Canadian winters were detrimental to aircrew training due to the Swordfish’s open cock- ‘A Swordfish Mk IV flies over the Atlantic Ocean near Yarmouth Air Station, Nova Scotia
pit. A new canopy, fully enclosing the Swordfish cockpit, was tested on Swordfish Mk Il on atraining mission. The Swordfish Mk IVs were converted Mk IIs. The ordnance rack fit-
HS553. These canopies later were fitted to 58 other Swordfish in Canada, which received tings were located under the lower starboard wing. The wingtip of the camera aircraft
the designation Swordfish Mk IV. The aft canopy section opened up and back to allow the obscures part of the Swordfish Mk IV's upper forward fuselage. (RA Joss)
TAG to aim and fire his weapon,

HS487/F3, a Swordfish Mk IV, was written

off following an accident at
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia on 17
October 1944. The pilot’s canopy opened
to starboard and the TAG’s canopy
opened aft. The aircraft's sides and
undersurfaces were painted white, while
Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey
were retained on the uppersurtaces. This
‘camouflage scheme was first applied to
‘Swordfish assigned to RAF (Royal Air
Force) Coastal Command in 1942, then
adopted by Fleet Air Arm (FAA) aircraft
‘on ASW (anti-submarine warfare) duties.
The previous camouflage colors are vi
ble under the black ROYAL NAVY title
and HS487 serial number on the aft fuse-
lage. (RA Joss)
 With an ideal mix of six Swordfish and six US-supplied Grumman Wildcat fighters forming a
‘composite squadron. The number of Swordfish and Wildcats could vary depending on the car~
Escort Carriers and MAC-Ships rier’s assigned mission. Many of the escort carrier's runs were covering convoys to and from
By 1943, the operational life of the Swordfish was declining in front line squadrons as they the United States and Gibraltar. One of the more onerous tasks was escort duty on the Arctic
made way for more modem strike aircraft. The Swordfish was not completely obsolete and runs to Russia. Operating from small carrier decks in Arctic conditions was not the aircrews
they received a new operational role — operating from the smaller decks of either the escort favorite way of passing the time, although Swordfish operating from the FENCER ~ without
carrier or the Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC-Ship). a fighter escort — sank three U-boats within 48 hours in May of 1944. The Swordfish would go
The idea of operating auxiliary carriers was jered in the early 1930s, when the out on anti-submarine patrols on a continual basis and would then call up the fighters when a
British Admiralty was looking for ways of providing carrier-based air cover without commit- U-boat was sighted for a combined attack. The 60 Ib (27.2 KG) warhead of a rocket projectile
ting a large fleet carrier. The plan was to embark a few fighters and search aircraft capable of (RV), fired at 600 yards (549 M1), could penetrate both the outer hull and the inner pressure hull
providing convoy protection, Early escort carriers were conversions of merchant ships, but of a U-boat
when the requirements grew, escort carriers were purpose built from the keel up. Since British ‘The Merchant Aircraft Carriers, known as MAC-Ships, were different from the escort carri-
shipyards were already strained due to other wartime production commitment, further orders cers in that the MAC-Ships were conversions of existing bulk grain carriers or tankers, In addi-
for 39 escort carriers were placed with the United States. tion to their aircraft complement, both ships could carry up to 80% of their original cargo, The
The first escort carrier — HMS AUDACITY — was introduced in September of 1941, with grain carrier conversion had a complement of four Swordfish with the luxury of a hangar and
‘at least 33 more such vessels converted or built by the British. The escort carrier became an small aircraft elevator. The tankers carried only three Swordfish and did not have ahangar.
essential part of any convoy. At least ten other ships were converted to escort carriers, but these Their aircraft had to be kept on the flight deck at all times and in all weather conditions, The
only embarked fighters or wer assault ships for amphibious operations British converted 20 merchant ships —six grain carriers and 14 tankers ~into MAC-Ships by
The main threat to the convoys was the German submarine, called the U-boat (from unter- the end of World War II. By early 1944, nearly 100 Swordfish were on the strength of three
seeboot, German for submarine) by the Allies. The Germans built some 1175 U-boats and MAC-Ship pool squadrons: Nos. 836, 840, and 860. No. 860 Squadron was a Royal
although the combined efforts of both escort carriers and long-range, shore-based aircraft Netherlands Navy unit for Swordfish based on the Dutch-operated MAC-Ships GADILA and
-duced the amount of shipping sunk, the U-boats were never entirely eliminated, German sub- MACOMA. MAC-based Swordfish flew over 4000 operational sorties during the war, but
marines accounted for 44 Allied ships sunk during the last two monthsofthe war in Europe. only 12 attacks were made on U-boats,
‘Although squadron numbers were used for units aboard the carriers, the strength was shared, The increasing numbers of escort carriers and MA Ships over the courseofthe war allowed
‘Swordfish Mk Is of 810 Squadron assigned to the carrier HMS FURIOUS fly ashore to
Jamaica after convoy escort duty on 1 October 1941. This Squadron later joined HMS ‘Swordfish Mk | V4388/2B was one of the Swordfish used to form 838 Squadron at
FORMIDABLE at Norfolk, Virginia for similar duties on the return trip to the United Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada prior to flying southwest to California, This Squadron's
Kingdom (UK). Escort carriers and Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC-Ships) soon replaced Swordfish then embarked on the US-built escort carrier HMS ATTACKER (formerly USS
these fleet carriers on convoy escort duties. BARNES, AVG-7) for anti-submarine duties across the Atlantic.
An 837 Squadron Swordfish Mk |
(V4719/K) sets out on a training mission
from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in early
1942. This aircraft was equipped with tor-
pedo shackles under the fuselage, bomb
racks under the inboard wing sections,
and light bomb/flare racks under the out-
board wing sections. The type A fin flash
and Type C fuselage roundel - both with
equal sections of the national colors —
would be replaced with the Type A1 fi
flash and Type C1 fuselage roundel dur-
ing 1942.

more extensive anti-submarine patrols in

terms of distance and duration, U-boats
travel on the surface found themselves
to be the hunted more than the hunter. The
last operational flight of a Swordfish from a
MAC-Ship, the EMPIRE MacKAY
occurred on 28 June 1945,
By war's end, Swordfish were credited
with 12.5 Axis submar ies destroyed out
right —ten German U-boats, two Vichy
French vessels, and a U-boat kill shared
with other aircraft, Swordfish shared inthe
sinking of eight more German su marines
with Allied escort ships
Three Swordfish are still flying —one in
vada and two in the United Kingdom
with plans for a third flying Swordfish
the UK. Today, the Swordfish are retired,
venerable ladies who still delight the public
at airdisplays,

Swordfish WS5858/A was a late produc-

tion Mk | assigned to 837 Squadron. The
torpedo bomber cruises over Jamaica in
June of 1942, just after the Squadron
formed there with four aircraft. Two
months later, 837 Squadron flew north to
Floyd Bennett Field, New York, where it
embarked on HMS DASHER - a convert-
ed US-built merchant ship. Th
Squadron flew anti-submarine patrols
from the DASHER for an eastbound con-
voy to the UK.
 Telegraphist/Air Gunners (TAGs) learned their trade in Swordfish assigned to the No. 1
Naval Air Gunnery School at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. The white square on the
upper wing covered the dinghy compartment. This dinghy automatically inflated when the
‘Swordfish entered the water, allowing the aircraft's crew to climb aboard the dinghy while
awaiting rescue.
The crew of this Swordfish prepare for another anti-submarine patrol. The TAG clips a 97-
round drum magazine onto the .303 caliber (7.7umt) Lewis machine gun used to defend the
aircraft from rear hemisphere attacks. Spent rounds were dropped into the canvas bag
mounted on the starboard side of the gun. Five spare machine gun magazine drums were
stored in the aft cockpit near the gun mount. (IWM)

Three Swordfish of 838 Squadron fly over the wharves of San Francisco. These aircraft
operated from US NAS Alameda Island, California until December of 1942, when they
joined the escort carrier ATTACKER for the return to the UK. The Swordfish are believed
to be Mk Is and wear their upper wing roundels at the extreme tip of the wings. (USN)

38
Swordfish Mk | V4719/K flies a training mission over Nova Scotia, prior to embarking ona _V4719/K was believed to be the last Swordfish of Blackburn's initial production batch of
carrier for Atlantic convoy escort work. The aft fuselage code letter K was black outlined 300 aircraft. Blackburn produced a second batch of 100 Mk |airframes before switching
in white. Swordfish sank 12 Axis submarines, sank one sub with another aircraft, and __to the improved Swordfish Mk Il in 1942. (USN).
shared in the destruction of another eight German submarines during World War Il.
‘Two Swordfish are parked on the flight deck of the MV (Motor Vessel) AMASTRA. This (18.3 m), and a displacement of 16,000 tons (14,515 wr). The AMASTRA and her sisters
vessel was the third of the six-ship RAPANA-class MAC (Merchant Aircraft Carrier)-Ships, could reach a maximum speed of 11.5 knots (21.3 kui). There were no hangar facilities
which were converted from tankers. The AMASTRA — launched as a tanker - was con- aboard the AMASTRA, resulting the four Swordfish she embarked being left exposed
verted to MAC-Ship configuration in 1943 and began Atlantic convoy escort duties the fol- on the flight deck.
lowing year. She had an overall length of 184 feet (56.1 u), a flight deck width of 60 feet
40
A Swordfish has launched from the MV AMASTRA, which turned 90" to the convoy to get
the best wind speed over the deck for departing aircraft. This MAC-Ship’s maximum
speed was 11.5 knots (21.3 kit). Most of the AMASTRA's flight deck was surrounded by
netting, which caught crewmen diving over the side to avoid out-of-control aircraft.
No 860 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Navy operated Swordfish from MAC-Ships.
‘Swordfish Mk Il NE951/S1 has just landed aboard the wet deck of the MV GADILA, a con-
verted tanker manned by a Dutch crew. Additional ships in the convoy are silhouetted
against the horizon. This Squadron consisted of Dutch personnel who had escaped the
German invasion of their country in May of 1940. (RNNAS)

Deck crews manhandle a Swordfish Mk Il back into the hangar deck of a carrier. Hangar
facilities were found on British fleet and escort carriers, but not MAC-Ships. R/P (Rocket
Projectile) rails, first used on the Swordfish Mk Il, are mounted under the lower wing. An
RIP pallet lies on the hangar deck just under the folded starboard upper wing leading
edge. (WM)
41
‘Swordfish Mk Il LS219/E3 was assigned to ‘Easy
Flight’ (E Flight) of 836 Squadron flies an anti-sub-
marine patrol from the MV AMASTRA. Each three
or four-aircratt flight aboard a MAC-Ship had its
‘own flight letter. This aircraft was equipped with
ASV (Air-to-Surface Vessel) radar on the wing
struts and what is believed to be a depth charge
beneath the fuselage centerline. A 100 Ib (45.4 ka)
bomb was mounted under the starboard wing. This
Swordfish Mk II was fitted with the large oll cooler
and extended engine exhaust pipe, which were
standard for this variant. Swordfish operational
pools for the MAC-Ships were formed from 836,
840, and 860 Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm.

This Swordfish Mk Il, LS225/B4, was assigned to B

Flight, 836 Squadron aboard the MAC-Ship MV
EMPIRE MacALPINE ~ a converted bulk grain car-
rier. All of B Flight’s aircraft had a chef's head
painted on the forward fuselage with a B on the
headband. This Swordfish was equipped with R/P
rails and ASV radar for attacking surfaced U-boats,
which threatened the convoy under escort by the
EMPIRE MacALPINE. A combination of MAC-
Ships, escort carriers, and land-based long-range
patrol aircratt closed the ‘air gap’ over the north
central Atlantic, where no Allied air cover was
available. The promise of continuous air cover
‘over the convoys helped the Allies gain the upper
hand against the U-boat threat by mid-1943.
Swordfish Mk Il LS276/E2 cruises over calm
Atlantic waters armed with R/Ps and bombs. This
aircraft was assigned to E Flight, 886 Squadron
aboard the MV AMASTRA. Both the
navigatorobserver and TelegraphisvAir Gunner
(TAG) were left off from this Swordfish in a weight-
saving measure. MERCHANT NAVY has been
Painted on the aft fuselage, just above the serial
number, instead of the usual ROYAL NAVY title.
The MERCHANT NAVY title was used in deference
to the Swordfish's operation from converted civil-
ian ships.

Ground crewmen use jerrycans to refuel a

Swordfish Mk Il at an airfield in the Portuguese-
controlled Azores Islands. The British based the
jerrycan on afuel container used by the Germans
= nicknamed ‘Jertys’ by British troops - which the
British found to be superior in design and con-
struction to their own fuel containers. In October of
1943, the neutral Portuguese Government granted
the Allies permission to use airfields in the Azores
for protecting convoys from U-boats operating in
the area. Swordfish operating from escort carriers
in the eastern Atlantic took advantage of these
shore-based facilities. A wartime censor has oblit-
erated the ASV aerials on the front outer wing
struts. (WM)
The compact 400 foot (121.9 m) long flight deck of
the MV EMPIRE MacALPINE became more so when
filled with the full complement of B Flights three
Swordfish. The lead aircraft is believed to be
LS434/B3; the code B3 was painted inside the
lower wing outer panel. The pilot's torpedo si
was mounted in front of the cockpit on the ai
craft's cabane struts supporting the upper wing
center section. Chocks were placed fore and aft of
the main landing gear wheels to prevent the air-
craft from rolling down the flight deck.

Wings folded, a Royal Netherlands Navy Swordfish

Mk Il of 860 Squadron taxis forward along the flight
deck of the Dutch-crewed MAC-Ship MV GADILA.
Another Swordfish lines up to land in the distance.
Obscured by a deck crewman, the GADILA’s Deck
Landing Control Officer (DLCO; USN = Landing
Signal Officer, LSO) has extended his two paddles
‘out to signal to the incoming aircratt’s pilot that his
wings are level. The DLCO guided the carrier pilots
in for recovery aboard the ship and made the deci-
sion to either let the aircraft land or to wave off the
pilot to make another landing attempt. Two of the
GADILA’s arresting cables are stretched across
her flight deck for the Swordfish's arrestor hook to
engage. (RNNAS)
The MAC-Ship EMPIRE MacKAY went through a
series of heavy rolls in the North Atlantic on 26
December 1943, resulting in damage to all three of
her Swordfish. The aircraft were all Mk lls fitted
with underwing R/P (Rocket Projectile) launchers.
‘Swordfish Mk Il LS218/D3's starboard wing was
secured by a pair of cables fastened to the flight
deck. This aircraft was repaired and flew with two
other MAC-Ship flights before being written off in
1945. The last operational Swordfish flight from a
MAC-Ship occurred from the EMPIRE MacKAY on
28 June 1945. (Public Archives of Canada)

Swordfish Mk Il LS277/D2 was also involved in the

mishap aboard the EMPIRE MacKAY on 26
December 1943. Perforated steel plates raised
along the flight deck side and midway down the
flight deck served as wing breaks. Shadows from
the port side windbreaks cast across the flight
deck. The ship's island superstructure was placed
along the starboard edge of the flight deck.
Swordfish LS277 was repaired and flew again, but
crashed into the bridge of the EMPIRE
MacDERMOTT on 18 November 1944, while serving
with N Flight, 836 Squadron. (Public Archives of
Canada)
A Swordfish Mk II begins its take off run from a carrier for the start of another convoy R/Ps used a 60 pound (27.2 ke) high explosive'warhead, which could easily pierce the
escort mission. Four other aircraft ~ two with their port wings folded — are parked along pressure hull of a German submarine. A Swordfish from the escort carrier HMS ARCHER
the flight deck. The starboard wing tips of another Swordfish are placed aff of the launch- successfully used R/Ps for the first time on 23 May 1943, when an aircraft sank the
ing aircraft. These Swordfish were equipped with Yagi ASV radar antennas on the forward German submarine U-752 in the North Atlantic. The near Swordfish was also fitted with
‘outer wing struts and were armed with eight Rocket Projectiles (R/Ps). The 3-inch (76.2um) parachute flares on the outer wing racks.

46
‘Swordfish M2-C of 768 Squadron catches the cable as it lands on the escort carrier HMS the flight deck. The raised cables allowed the aircraft's arresting hook to grab a cable,
RAVAGER during a deck landing training sortie. This Swordfish appears to be a Mk | which would bring the aircraft to a halt. The RAVAGER was one of 11 BOGUE class escort
equipped with ASV radar. The DLCO is crouched at his position aft of the windbreak, carriers built by the US and transferred to the Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease program
watching the aircraft recover aboard the RAVAGER. The arresting cables were raised during World War Il. HMS RAVAGER primarily served as a trai
above the flight deck by pairs of retractable risers along the port and starboard sides of wartime service. (IWM)

AT
‘The orange and black Dutch triangle on the rudder identifies this Swordfish’s ass Deck crewmen attend to a Swordfish Mk Il whose port landing gear collapsed on recov-
to 860 Squadron of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The Swordfish suffered undercarriage ering aboard an unidentified British escort carrier. Carrier landings are not easy, espe-
failure on landing aboard a Dutch-operated GADILA class MAC-Ship. The starboard wing cially when the deck is rolling, rising, and falling in heavy seas. Overly hard landings such
has been folded back to free up valuable deck space. (RNNAS) as this often resulted in undercarriage failure — and several days under repair aboard
ship.
‘Swordfish damaged beyond repair in landing accidents were stripped of all useable parts Not all Swordfish mishaps occurred aboard carriers. A delivery pilot flew Swordfish Mk |
and shoved overboard — space was already at a premium aboard ship. This Swordfish Mk L9726 into a barrage balloon cable near Fairey's Ringway airfield, The cable cut into the
lis beginning its final journey off the deck of the escort carrier HMS FENCER. The 155 lower port wing back to the rear spar; however, the pilot was able to land without further
Imperial Gallon (186.1 US Gal/704.6 L) main fuel tank was located aft of the oil cooler. incident. This aircraft was repaired and went on to serve until at least mid-1944,
‘Swordfish Mk I! LS354/H, assigned to 842 Squadron on board the escort carrier FENCER, ‘Three Swordfish Mk Ils of 816 Squadron, each displaying black and white D-Day identifi-
cruises o convoy while on anti-submarine patrol. The Swordfish was overall White cation markings, patrol the English Channel in June of 1944, The middle Swordfish,
with Extra Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey upper surfaces. White was a commonly F243, was from the last production batch of Mk Ils built by Blackburn. This Squadron
used color for Allied aircraft operating in the anti-submarine role in the Atlantic, due to its flew Channel patrols before and during the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 June. (IWM)
low visibility when viewed from below. (R Sturtivant)

This Swordfish Mk Ill, NF399 912/AO, was delivered

to the FAA on 20 April 1944 and used by a number of
second line units. These units included the Station
Flight at RNAS (Royal Naval Air Station) Arbroath,
Scotland in 1948. The venerable aircraft, lacking its
ASV X radar, served until removed from service on 2
July 1951. This Swordfish’s uppersurfaces were
painted Extra Dark Sea Grey (FS36118), with Sky
(FS34504) applied to the sides and undersurfaces.
This scheme was standard for FAA aircraft following
World War Il. British roundels — red center, white
inner ring, and blue outer ring - appeared on the
fuselage, the upper wing top surfaces, and the bot-
tom wing undersurfaces. Post-World War Il FAA air-
craft did not carry the fin flash like wartime aircraft.
The code 912/A0, ROYAL NAVY title, and the serial
number are black. (AE Hughes)
(Top) This 824 Squadron Swordfish Mk | (946/K8390) assigned to the aircraft carrier HMS (Bottom) Swordfish Mk ll Benvorlich (B3/LS434) flies an anti-submarine patrol from the
EAGLE has twin floats installed for operating from the water. The EAGLE operated in Chinese Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC-Ship) MV EMPIRE MacALPINE in 1944, This aircraft — fitted with
coastal waters during the late 1930s. eight Rocket Projectiles (R/Ps) under the wings ~ was assigned to B Flight, 836 Squadron.

z SBN 0-89?4?-421L-X

9|
|89474214)