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
Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
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.Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
Used post war at Dartmouth, NS, with Eastern Air Command. SOS with 326 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth, NS. SOS with 440 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 743; 1NAGS
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[3] and Avro Anson, a multi-role training aircraft.Known Squadron Assignments:
Exchanged for HS383.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth, NS, coded "03". SOS with 314 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 256 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 1WS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 1WS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 6B&GS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "E". SOS with 442 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "K". SOS with 621 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "F". SOS with 443 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "G". SOS with 527 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 1WS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Coded "I" & "J". SOS with 582 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments:
To RCN.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 1WS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "M". SOS with 478 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "N". Category C crash, Wolfville NS, 31 Apr 1945. SOS with 520 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Q". SOS with 562 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "R". SOS with 626 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments:
Not used.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS with 572 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "Y3". SOS with 523 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "W3". SOS with 441 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
With Eastern Air Command, coded "H". SOS with 483 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments:
Not used.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 232 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: EAC
With Eastern Air Command. SOS with 391 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS, coded "112" & "U2". SOS with 412 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS, 1WS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. Later to No. 1 Wireless School, Mount Hope, Ont. SOS with 552 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments:
Not used.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
Used at No. 1 Naval Air Gunners School, Yarmouth NS. SOS with 468 hrs.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 6B&GS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS; 6B&GS
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.Known Squadron Assignments:
last update: 2024-July-19Known Squadron Assignments:
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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 2012.Known Squadron Assignments:
last update: 2024-July-19Known Squadron Assignments:
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Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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.Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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 faiilure caused by excessive use of boost in a steep turn.Known Squadron Assignments:
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Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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".Known Squadron Assignments:
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To civil register as C-GEVS. Under restoration at Vintage Wings Canada in April 2008. Now at White Waltham UK.Known Squadron Assignments:
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Known Squadron Assignments: 767
last update: 2024-July-25Known Squadron Assignments:
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last update: 2024-July-19Known Squadron Assignments:
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Ferried to the west for use as a training aid at reserve units, in probably the last RCN Swordfish formation flight, in 1946(?).Known Squadron Assignments: AirCompTrng
Operated by Air Component Training at Shearwater, from 20 March 1946 until struck off.Known Squadron Assignments:
Built in July 1944, for the RN. Probably used at RN training facility at Yarmouth, NS before transfer to RCN. Probably used by No. 743 (FR) 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.Known Squadron Assignments:
Used post war as a training aid at HMCS Star, the reserve facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Ferried to the west, in probably the last RCN Swordfiush formation flight, in 1946(?).Known Squadron Assignments:
Ferried to the west for use as a training aid at reserve units, in probably the last RCN Swordfiush formation flight, in 1946(?).Known Squadron Assignments: ;824
last update: 2024-February-19Known Squadron Assignments: 1NAGS
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 (2023), 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).