FAIREY SWORDFISH

FAIREY SWORDFISH - The prototype of the Fairey Swordfish torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft for the Fleet Air Arm was developed under the direction of Marcel Lobelle to meet the requirements of Specification S.I5/33. Known as the Fairey TSR.II, it was a derivative of the earlier TSR.I and, first flown on April 17, 1934, was powered by a 690 hp Pegasus IIIM3. Three develop-ment aircraft were ordered in May 1935 to Specification S.38/34 and production was authorised at the same time. The Fairey Swordfish carried three crew for recon-
naissance or two for torpedo duties, could operate as a floatplane and carried one 18 -in (46-cm), 1,610-lb (731-kg) torpedo or 1,500-lb (681-kg) mine under the fuselage or up to 1,500-lb (681-kg) of assorted bombs under fuselage and wings; other armament comprised one forward-firing and one free-mounted aft 0.303-in (7.7-mm) gun. First flight of a development aircraft was on December 31, 1935, the other two following in 1936, one on floats.

Fairey Swordfish I: Initial production con-tract placed April 1935 for 86 aircraft, increased by subsequent contracts to 989 of which 300 were built by Blackburn at Sherburn-in-Elmet (sometimes i. own colloquially as 'Blackfish') and the remainder by Fairey. Deliveries bigan mid-1936 to No 825 Squadron, and 12 more squadrons equipped by September 1939; 13 more front-line FAA units were equipped by June 1943, and more than 20 second-line units used Fairey Swordfish for training and other duties. Operational use included gun-spotting, mine-laying and torpedo attacks (notably at Taranto, when a complete Italian fleet was virtually eliminated, and on the battleships Schamhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen in the English Channel).

Max speed, 139 mph (224 km/h) at 4,750 ft (1,448 m). Cruising speed, 104 mph (167 km/h) at 5,000ft (1,525 m). Time to 5,000 ft (1,525 m), 10 mins. Service ceiling, 10,700 ft (3,260 m). Range, 546 mis (879 km) with torpedo, 1,030 mis (1,657 km) for reconnaissance. Empty weight, 5,200 Ib (2,361 kg). Gross weight, 9,250 Ib (4,200 kg). Span, 45ft 6 in (13.87 m). Length, 36 ft 4 in (11.07 m). Wing area, 607 sq ft (56.39m2).

Fairey Swordfish II: Improved version of Mk I with Pegasus IIIM3 or 775 hp Pegasus 30 engine, introduced 1943, with metal covered undersurfaces of lower wings to permit carriage and launching of eight 60-lb (27-kg) rocket projectiles. 1,080 built by Blackburn, of which 99 to Canada (some post-war) for RCAF and RCN. First successful operational use of RPs from Fairey Swordfish on May 23, 1943, by No 819 Sqn, sinking a U-boat. Also used by two RAF squadrons until May 1945.
Fairey Swordfish III: As Mk II with ASV Mk X air-to-surface-vessel radar in large radome between undercarriage legs. 320 built by Blackburn, final delivery August 18, 1944. Operational, alongside Fairey Swordfish Us, with several FAA front-line squadrons up to May 1945, aboard mer-chant aircraft carriers, escort carriers and from shore bases.
Fairey Swordfish IV: Some Fairey Swordfish IIs converted in Canada to have enclosed and heated cockpits. The designation was not officially confirmed.

Addition from James Dickson, Corbeil, Ontario, Canada at January 06, 2005: it was a Swordfish torpedo attack which hit the Bismark and damaged her steering to the point where the British warships were able to move in and finish her off.