Type: Military 2 - 3 place, single engine, multi-role carrier-based aircraft
Notable Facts: Once part of Ernie Simmons' of Tillsonburg, ON collection. Dedicated to Canadian Naval Airman, Commander Terry Goddard, who participated in the attack on Bismarck
Manufactured: 1942, Blackburn Aircraft Co., England
Serial Number: F/B 3527A. Military serials: RN # HS 554; RCN # HS 554
Current Registration: C-GEVS
Recent Markings: Post war period Royal Canadian Navy colours and markings
The Commander Terry Goddard Blackburn-Fairey Swordfish Mk III
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Pilots
Bob Childerhose, Rob Erdos, John Aitken, Paul Kissmann
Information
First Flight: 1934
Total Production (All Marks): 2,396
Wingspan: 45 feet- 6 inches
Engine: Bristol Pegasus Radial
Maximum Speed: 139 mph
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History
The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Affectionately known as the "Stringbag" by its crews, it was outdated by 1939, but achieved some spectacular successes during the war, notably the sinking of one and damaging two battleships of the Regia Marina (the Italian Navy) in the Battle of Taranto and the famous crippling of the Bismarck. It was operated primarily as a fleet attack aircraft; however, during its later years, it was also used as an anti-submarine and training craft. Designed in the 1930s, the Swordfish outlived several types intended to replace it, and remained in front line service until VE Day.
Despite the fact that it was slow, and lacked adequate defense, the Fairey Swordfish was considered one of the most important naval aircraft of the Second Word War. It was the only Allied aircraft in continuous production from (1934) before the start of hostilities to the end of the war. Originally designed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, this lumbering biplane anachronism flew on into the era of high-performance monoplanes and even jets and achieved phenomenal success. |