Swordfish (Total: 122, Canadian: 110, Group 0)

Fairey Swordfish

Source: Harold A Skaarup Web Page (Shearwater Aviation Museum Photo)
Fairey Swordfish in flight ca. 1941

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

Despite being obsolete by 1939, the Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes during the war. Notable events included sinking one battleship and damaging two others of the Regia Marina (the Italian Navy) during the Battle of Taranto, and the famous attack on the Bismarck, which contributed to her eventual demise. By the end of the war, the Swordfish held the distinction of having caused the destruction of a greater tonnage of Axis shipping than any other Allied aircraft. The Swordfish remained in front-line service until V-E Day, having outlived multiple aircraft that had been intended to replace it in service.

The Fairey Swordfish was a medium-sized biplane torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Swordfish employed a metal airframe covered in fabric. It utilized folding wings as a space-saving measure, which was useful onboard aircraft carriers and battleships. In service, it received the nickname Stringbag; this was not due to its biplane struts, spars, and braces, but a reference to the seemingly endless variety of stores and equipment that the type was cleared to carry. Crews likened the aircraft to a housewife's string shopping bag, common at the time and which could accommodate contents of any shape, and that a Swordfish, like the shopping bag, could carry anything.

The primary weapon of the Swordfish was the aerial torpedo, but the low speed of the biplane and the need for a long straight approach made it difficult to deliver against well-defended targets. Swordfish torpedo doctrine called for an approach at 5,000 feet (1,500 m) followed by a dive to torpedo release altitude of 18 feet (5.5 m). Maximum range of the early Mark XII torpedo was 1,500 yards (1,400 m) at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) and 3,500 yards (3,200 m) at 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph). The torpedo travelled 200 feet (61 m) forward from release to water impact, and required another 300 yards (270 m) to stabilise at preset depth and arm itself. Ideal release distance was 1,000 yards (910 m) from target if the Swordfish survived to that distance.

The Swordfish was also capable of operating as a dive-bomber. During 1939, Swordfish on board HMS Glorious participated in a series of dive-bombing trials, during which 439 practice bombs were dropped at dive angles of 60, 67 and 70 degrees, against the target ship HMS Centurion. Tests against a stationary target showed an average error of 49 yd (45 m) from a release height of 1,300 ft (400 m) and a dive angle of 70 degrees; tests against a manoeuvring target showed an average error of 44 yd (40 m) from a drop height of 1,800 ft (550 m) and a dive angle of 60 degrees.

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

Wikipedia Wikipedia Fairey Swordfish

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Swordfish DK698, Mk. II

s/n DK698

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 698

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used post war at Dartmouth, NS, with Eastern Air Command. Delivered to west coast on deck of HMCS Warrior in December 1946, for use as a training aid at HMCS Discovery, in Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC. This made it the only RCN Swordfish to be on board an RCN carrier.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 531

Swordfish DK699, Mk. II

s/n DK699

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 699

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used post war at Dartmouth, NS, with Eastern Air Command. SOS with 326 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-November-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 531

Swordfish DK752, Mk. II

s/n DK752

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 752

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth, NS. SOS with 440 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-October-06 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-November-25 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Lake George Names: Barton | Burrows | Fraser | Henderson
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 531

Swordfish DK754, Mk. II

s/n DK754

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 754

Bristol Pegasus XXX


last update: 2025-March-10

Swordfish DK774, Mk ll

s/n DK774

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 774

Bristol Pegasus XXX

743 Naval Air Squadron formed at R.N. Air Section Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Training Squadron, on the 1 March 1943. It was part of No.2 Telegraphist Air Gunner School, within the Royal Navy No.1 Naval Air Gunnery School (NAGS), which was under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The squadron was equipped with Fairey Swordfish II, a biplane torpedo bomber, Supermarine Walrus II, an amphibious maritime patrol aircraft and Avro Anson, a multi-role training aircraft. Post-war, the aircraft was used by the RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 531

Swordfish DK790, Mk. ll

s/n DK790

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

DK 790

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS York, Toronto for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05

Swordfish HS168, Mk. II

s/n HS168

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 168

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Exchanged for HS383.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1944-April-18 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS171, Mk. II

s/n HS171

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 171

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth, NS, coded "03". SOS with 314 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-09 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS196, Mk. II

s/n HS196

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 196

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 256 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-June-28 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS209, Mk. II

s/n HS209

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 209

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Then to No. 1 Wireless School, Hamilton (Mount Hope) Ont.1944-1945. SOS with 533 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1945-February-02 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Burns | Canty | Spinney | Watkins
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS220, Mk. II

s/n HS220

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 220

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at East Camp, RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS, coded "F3". Crash landed after engine failure on takeoff on 9 November 1944, coming down in Yarmouth Army Camp. Category A write-off.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-November-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-November-09 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Aerodrome Names: Thompson | Thomson | Wilson
   1944-November-29 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS260, Mk. II

s/n HS260

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 260

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "B". Then to No. 1 Wireless School, Hamilton (Mount Hope) Ont 1944-1945. SOS with 541 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-May-24 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Buckley | Clulee | Randall | Williams
1943-November-27 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Names: Day | Staniforth
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS261, Mk. II

s/n HS261

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 261

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "D". Later to No. 6 Bombing & Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ont. SOS with 540 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-May-02 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Names: Dwyer | Hill | Mclaurin
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS263, Mk. II

s/n HS263

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 263

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "E". SOS with 442 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-May-24 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Buckley | Clulee | Randall | Williams
1944-November-17 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Aerodrome Names: Barr
   1946-August-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS264, Mk. II

s/n HS264

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 264

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "K". SOS with 621 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 573

Swordfish HS265, Mk. II

s/n HS265

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 265

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "F". SOS with 443 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS266, Mk. II

s/n HS266

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 266

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "G". SOS with 527 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS268, Mk. II / IV

s/n HS268

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 268

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at East Camp, RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS, coded "H". Later to No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope, Ont. SOS with 563 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-19 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS275, Mk. II

s/n HS275

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 275

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Coded "I" & "J". SOS with 582 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-January-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS288, Mk. II

s/n HS288

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 288

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used at RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Griffon, Thunder Bay Ont for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS320, Mk. II

s/n HS320

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 320

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "L". Later to No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope, Ont. SOS with 599 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-January-07 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Nova Scotia Names: King
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS322, Mk. II

s/n HS322

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 322

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "M". SOS with 478 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-April-08 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Nova Scotia Names: Rowe
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS323, Mk. II

s/n HS323

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 323

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "N". Category C crash, Wolfville NS, 31 Apr 1945. SOS with 520 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-November-08 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names:
1945-January-31 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Wolfville Nova Scotia Names: Fisher | Plumridge
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS324, Mk. II

s/n HS324

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 324

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Q". SOS with 562 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-November-25 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Lake George Names: Barton | Burrows | Fraser | Henderson
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS335, Mk. ll

s/n HS335

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 335

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "R". SOS with 626 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-June-10 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Lunt | Marsh | Mason | Williams
   1946-August-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS336, Mk. Il

s/n HS336

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 336

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "S" & "P". Category A crash 15 May 1944. Engine failure, aircraft destroyed in post-crash fire.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-May-15 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Indian Field Ohio Names: Harries | Sanders
   1944-July-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS337, Mk. Il

s/n HS337

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 337

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS339, Mk. Il

s/n HS339

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 339

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS with 572 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS343, Mk. Il

s/n HS343

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 343

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "17". Engine failure, Category A crash, 16 Oct 1944 8 miles south of Weymouth, NS.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-September-18 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Doyle | Glanfield | Hayes | Rea | Wadman
1944-October-16 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Weymouth Nova Scotia Names: Rhymer
   1944-November-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS381, Mk. Il

s/n HS381

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 381

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Y3". SOS with 523 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-October-16 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS383, Mk. Il

s/n HS383

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 383

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "W3". SOS with 441 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-April-18 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-August-22 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bradley | Keyworth
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS396, Mk. Il

s/n HS396

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 396

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With Eastern Air Command, coded "H". SOS with 483 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS397, Mk. Il

s/n HS397

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 397

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS398, Mk. Il

s/n HS398

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 398

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Brake failure at St. John, NB 7 Aug 1944, Category D damage. SOS with 402 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-19 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-August-07 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: St John New Brunswick Names: Irwin | Kitchen
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS399, Mk. Il

s/n HS399

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 399

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 232 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-December-15 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS400, Mk. Il

s/n HS400

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 400

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 391 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS401, Mk. Il

s/n HS401

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 401

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS402, Mk. Il

s/n HS402

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 402

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "112" & "U2". SOS with 412 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS403, Mk. Il

s/n HS403

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 403

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Later to No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope, Ont. SOS with 552 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS404, Mk. Il

s/n HS404

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 404

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "X". Category A crash near Wedgeport, NS 27 Sept 1943, due to engine failure.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-September-27 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Wedgeport Names: Dicks | Elms | Hobbs
   1944-February-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS405, Mk. Il

s/n HS405

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 405

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS455, Mk. Il

s/n HS455

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 455

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS with 468 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-November-05 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS464, Mk. Il

s/n HS464

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 464

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "V2". Later to No. 6 Bombing & Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ont. SOS with 484 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-May-02 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS465, Mk. Il

s/n HS465

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 465

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "AY". Later to No. 6 Bombing & Gunnery School, Mountain View, Ont. SOS with 520 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-August-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-May-02 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS466, Mk. Il

s/n HS466

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 466

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "W2". SOS with 382 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS467, Mk. Il

s/n HS467

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 467

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS Eastern Air Command with 427 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-16 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-August-22 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Bradley | Keyworth
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS468, Mk. Il

s/n HS468

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 468

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "BY". SOS Eastern Air Command with 383 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-August-03 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS469, Mk. II / IV

s/n HS469

c/n FB3S-126A

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 469

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Operated by RN in Canada, at HMS Seaborn (co-located with RCAF Station Shearwater) by 745 Squadron, on behalf of the No. 1 Naval Telegraphist Air Gunner School. Converted to Mk. IV, with enclosed cockpit, while there. Transferred to RCN on 2 August 1945. May have been operated by 743 Fleet Requirements Unit. Sold as scrap, probably to farm near Tillsonberg. Purchased in early 1980s, under went long restoration. First flight in April 1994, at CFB Shearwater. Registered to Department of National Defense since 19 September 1994 as C-GRCN. On display at Shearwater Aviation Museum, near Halifax, NS in 2006, in RCN markings. Registration cancelled in May 2010. Still on display at this Museum in 2024.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-August-08 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Shean | Tipney
   1945-August-02 Ownership Transferred Transferred to RCN 2019-08-20
   1946-August-17 Sold as Surplus Sold as scrap 2019-08-20
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS470, Mk. Il

s/n HS470

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 470

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Engine failure 28 Sept 1943 near Port Maitland NS, Category B damage in forced landing. Reclassified Category A. SOS 28 Feb 1944.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-March-31 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-September-28 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Darling Lake Names: Dungan | Filandus | Pitts
   1944-February-28 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS471, Mk. Il

s/n HS471

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 471

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "E3". Category C damage 16 Oct 1944 during forced landing near Weymouth NS, due to engine failure.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-October-16 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Weymouth Nova Scotia Names: Holding
   1945-October-24 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS484, Mk. II

s/n HS484

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 484

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "A2". SOS Eastern Air Command with 574 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-June-10 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Lunt | Marsh | Mason | Williams
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS485, Mk. II

s/n HS485

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 485

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "B2". SOS Eastern Air Command with 514 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS486, Mk. II

s/n HS486

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 486

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at East Camp, RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS. Forced landing on beach at Cotton Bay, near Lockeport, NS on 26 June 1943, first reported accident with this School. Repaired on site, and flown out. Writteon off after forced landing on 28 January 1945. Cause was engine failure resulting from mis-assembled fuel cock. Crashed near New France, Southville, NS. Last reported accident with this School.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1945-January-28 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Paul Maheux Mills New France Southville Names: Glegg | Jackson | Joss
   1946-February-26 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS487, Mk. II

s/n HS487

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 487

Bristol Pegasus XXX

With No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at East Camp, RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS, coded "F3". Written off in forced landing on 16 October 1944. Resulted from engine failure caused by excessive use of boost in a steep turn.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-October-16 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Lawrencetown Nova Scotia Names: Joss | Sinyward
   1944-November-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS488, Mk. II

s/n HS488

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 488

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "K3". To No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope (Hamilton). SOS with 569 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS489, Mk. II

s/n HS489

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 489

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. coded "F2". Category C damage, Dartmouth NS, 6 Oct 1943. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 484 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-October-06 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Dartmouth Names: Andrews | Hugff
   1946-August-17 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS490, Mk. II

s/n HS490

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 490

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. coded "E2". Category C damage, Dartmouth NS, 6 Oct 1943. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 479 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-October-06 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Dartmouth Names: Andrews | Hugff
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS491, Mk. II

s/n HS491

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 491

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "P3". Precautionary landing near Weymouth NS 7 Feb 1944. To No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope (Hamilton). SOS with 155 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-February-07 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Weymouth Nova Scotia Names: Harries | Henderson
   1946-August-02 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS492, Mk. II

s/n HS492

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 492

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "N3". Precautionary landing Port Maitland NS 7 Feb 1944. SOS with 355 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-November-01 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-December-21 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Port Maitland Names: Martini | Thurlow
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS493, Mk. II

s/n HS493

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 493

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 303 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS494, Mk. II

s/n HS494

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 494

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 322 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS495, Mk. II

s/n HS495

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 495

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Forced landing Rickers Lake NS 26 Feb 1944. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 398 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-February-26 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Ricker Lake Names: Silk | Surfleet
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS496, Mk. II

s/n HS496

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 496

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "J3". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 569 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS497, Mk. II

s/n HS497

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 497

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "K2". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 494 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-October-06 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Allen | Hart | McCuish | Weale | Wellsted | Winder
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS498, Mk. II

s/n HS498

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 498

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. To No. 1 Wireless School, Mount hope. SOS with 392 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS499, Mk. II

s/n HS499

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 499

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "K3". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 494 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-March-06 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Main Aerodrome Names: Bradley | Swift
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS500, Mk. II / lV

s/n HS500

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 500

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. coded "G2". Category C damage, Plymouth NS, 6 Oct 1943 due engine failure. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 457 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-November-02 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Plymouth Yarmouth Co Nova Scotia Names: Brown | King | Limb
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS501, Mk. II

s/n HS501

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 501

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS503, Mk. II

s/n HS503

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 503

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "J2" & "RZ". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 569 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS507, Mk. II

s/n HS507

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 507

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "02". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 392 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-08 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-31 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS509, Mk. II

s/n HS509

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 509

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Precautionary landing at Kentville NS 28 Jan 1944. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 513 hrs,
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-08 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-January-28 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Kentville Nova Scotia Names: Harris | Payne
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS510, Mk. II

s/n HS510

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 510

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "53". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 333 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-16 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-September-18 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Doyle | Glanfield | Hayes | Rea | Wadman
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS511, Mk. II

s/n HS511

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 511

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "T3". Category B damage in forced landing near Comeauville NS 8 June 1944 due engine failure. To Eastern Air Command. Revised to Category A, write-off.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-16 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-June-08 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Comeauville Names: Sherback
   1944-July-29 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS512, Mk. II

s/n HS512

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 512

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Q2". SOS with 515 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-08 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1944-April-22 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Aerodrome Names: Lingwood
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS513, Mk. II

s/n HS513

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 513

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Delivered to FAA on 2 March 1943. Shipped new to Dartmouth, assembled and first flown on 21 June 1943. Used by No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS, coded "R2". SOS with 401 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-08 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS514, Mk. II

s/n HS514

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 514

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "X2" SOS with 489 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS515, Mk. II

s/n HS515

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 515

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS with 459 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 574

Swordfish HS517, Mk. II

s/n HS517

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 517

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "M3". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 440 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS518, Mk. II

s/n HS518

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 518

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS519, Mk. II

s/n HS519

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 519

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Forced landing due engine failure, Tusket NS. Aircraft destroyed in post-landing fire. Category A write-off.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-September-13 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Bridgewater Nova Scotia Names: Hobbs | Staniforth
1943-October-22 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Tusket Names: Burrows | Perkins
   1944-February-28 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS533, Mk. II

s/n HS533

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 533

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Not used.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-April-29 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1943-October-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS534, Mk. II

s/n HS534

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 534

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "52". SOS with 476 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-08 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS553, Mk. II

s/n HS553

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 553

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 349 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-June-07 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS554, Mk. II

s/n HS554

c/n F/BS35270A

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 554

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "U3". to Eastern Air Command. SOS with 362 hrs. To open storage Ernie Simmons farm, Tillsonburg Ont. To civil register as C-GEVS 5 Sept 1990. Under restoration at Vintage Wings Canada in April 2008. Civil registration cancelled April 2014. Now at White Waltham UK, being restored to flight status.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-16 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS555, Mk. II

s/n HS555

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 555

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Y2". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 488 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-July-12 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS560, Mk. II

s/n HS560

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 560

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "M2". To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 488 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-June-22 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS582, Mk. II

s/n HS582

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 582

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Category C damage during landing at Yarmouth 14 June 1943. To Eastern Air Command. SOS with 352 hrs.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-February-02 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
1943-June-14 Accident: 1 Naval Air Gunnery School Loc: Yarmouth Names: Martini
   1946-September-04 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish HS663, Mk. II

s/n HS663

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

HS 663

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To Royal Navy for HS553.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1943-September-24 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1944-June-07 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 575

Swordfish L2839,

s/n L2839

Fairey Aviation Company

L 2839


last update: 2025-March-10
1943-January-13 KIA RCNVR Lieutenant John Leonard Scudamore Cunningham 2024-05-30

Swordfish LS193, Mk. II

s/n LS193

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

LS 193

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Chippawa, Winnipeg for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish LS229, Mk. II

s/n LS229

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

LS 229

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1948-October-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE926, Mk. II

s/n NE926

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 926

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 march 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1948-November-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE927, Mk. II

s/n NE927

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 927

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Hunter, Windsor Ont for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-June-16 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE929, Mk. II

s/n NE929

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 929

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1948-November-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE937, Mk. II

s/n NE937

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 937

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE938, Mk. II

s/n NE938

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 938

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Carleton, Ottawa Ont for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE940, Mk. II

s/n NE940

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 940

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE942, Mk. ll

s/n NE942

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 942

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Queen, Regina Sask for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1947-July-12 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE943, Mk. ll

s/n NE943

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 943

Bristol Pegasus XXX


last update: 2025-March-10
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NE953, Mk. II

s/n NE953

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NE 953

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Flown to HMCS Donnaconna, Montreal Que for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05

Swordfish NF136, Mk. II

s/n NF136

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NF 136

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1948-November-01 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NF161, Mk. II

s/n NF161

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NF 161

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NR944, Mk. III

s/n NR944

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NR 944

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NR948, Mk. III

s/n NR948

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NR 948

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Ferried to the west for use as a training aid at reserve units, in probably the last RCN Swordfish formation flight, in 1946(?). Flown to HMCS Nonsuch, Edmonton for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NR953, Mk. III

s/n NR953

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NR 953

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength RCN 2020-09-28
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2020-09-28
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NS122, Mk. III

s/n NS122

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NS 122

Bristol Pegasus XXX

Built in July 1944, for the RN. Probably used at RN training facility at Yarmouth, NS before transfer to RCN. To RCN 20 March 1946. Probably used by 743 (FRU) Squadron at Dartmouth, NS. Carried overall aluminum painted finish while at Dartmouth, coded "TH*M". The aircraft in the Canada Aviation Museum displaying this serial is actually built up from parts of several of Ernie Simmons' aircraft, original serials unknown.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength RCN 2020-09-28
   1948-November-01 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NS129, Mk. III

s/n NS129

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NS 129

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Ferried to the west, in probably the last RCN Swordfish formation flight, in 1946(?). Flown to HMCS Unicorn, Saskatoon, Sask for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish NS171, Mk. III

s/n NS171

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

NS 171

Bristol Pegasus XXX

To RCN 20 March 1946. Used by RCN Air Component at Fleet Requirements Unit 743. Ferried to the west for use as a training aid at reserve units, in probably the last RCN Swordfish formation flight, in 1946(?). Flown to HMCS Tecumseh, Calgary Alb for use as a maintenance trainer.
last update: 2025-February-05
   1946-March-20 Taken on Strength 2022-02-07
   1946-March-20 Struck off Strength 2022-02-07
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 589

Swordfish P4270,

s/n P4270

Fairey Aviation Company

P 4270


last update: 2025-March-10
1941-January-14 KIA RN FAA Lieutenant Donald Roderick Hoar 2022-12-13

Swordfish W5856, Mk. I

s/n W5856

Blackburn Aircraft Limited

W 5856

Bristol Pegasus lllM.3

Used by No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School at RCAF Station Yarmouth, NS. Returned to the UK after the war, where it survived for many years with the Royal Navy Historical Flight, registered as G-BMGC. Now (2024), with Flight's successor, Navy Wings which is the public facing side of the Fly Heritage Trust that today operates the aircraft. W5856 is based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. (source FlyPast Magazine March 2024).
last update: 2025-February-05
   1944-December-15 Taken on Strength 2019-08-20
   1946-August-21 Struck off Strength 2019-08-20
📙 JA Griffin (2005: Smith, Castle): 1968 509