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MAIN INDEX > BOMBERS
FAIREY SWORDFISH
Type: Two-Seat carrier based torpedo bomber, three-seat spotter reconnaisance, other roles.
Origin: Fairey
Models: Mk. I to IV
First Flight:
TSR.II April 17, 1934
Production Mk. I December 1935
Service Delivery: February 1936
Final Delivery: June 1944
Number Produced: 2,391
– (1,699 built by Blackburn)
Engine:
Mk. I and early Mk. II
Model: Bristol Pegasus IIIM3
Type: 9-Cylinder air cooled radial
Number: One Horsepower: 690 hp
Mk. II onwards
Model: Bristol Pegasus 30
Type: 9-Cylinder air cooled radial
Number: One Horsepower: 750 hp
Dimensions:
Wing span: 45 ft. (13.72m)
Length: 35 ft. 8 in. (10.87m)
Height: 12 ft. 4 in. (3.76m)
Wing Surface Area: N/A
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Weights:
Empty: 4,700 lb. (2134 kg)
Loaded: 7,510 lb. (3410 kg)
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 138 mph (222 km/h)
Initial Climb: 1,220 ft/min (372 m/min)
Service Ceiling: 19,250 ft. (5867m)
Range (Fully loaded): 546 miles (879 km)
Armament:
One fixed .303 in. Browning.
One .303 in. Browning or Vickers K manually aimed from rear cockpit.
Payload: All
Crutch for one 18 in. 1,610 lb. Torpedo., or one 1,500 lb. mine or similar weight of bombs.)
Mk. II - IV
As Mk. I but has additional underwing racks for eight 60 lb. rockets or similar stores.
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This legendary aircraft, archaic looking even when initially designed, was
much loved by it's crews who lovingly called it "Stringbag". This aircraft survived replacement
by the Albacore and continued to fly alongside the Fairey Barracuda which was the Albacores
replacement. The "Stringbag" served the Fleet Air Arm valiantly and proved to be one of the
most successful torpedo planes of all time.
The Swordfish was instrumental in attacking and sinking shipping throughout
the war, a handful based out of Malta averaged 50,000 tons of shipping sunk per month from
1941-1943. The types most historic mission happened on November 10-11, 1940 when a group of
Swordfishes attacked the Italian fleet at Taranto. For the loss of two aircraft, this group
sunk three battleships, a cruiser, two destroyers and numerous other ships. In fact, the
success of this attack inspired the Japanese to their infamous attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Swordfish was constructed of metal with a fabric covering. Starting with
the Mk. II the lower wings were also covered in metal, allowing rockets to be fired. The
Mk. III had radar installed and the Mk. IV had an enclosed cockpit. From 1940, all production
and development was handled by Blackburn.
Sources:
Gunston, Bill - The Encyclodepia of the Worlds Combat aircraft, 1976, Chartwell Books, Inc., NY
MAIN INDEX > BOMBERS
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