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: Period Royal Navy colours and markings
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
Despite the fact that it was slow, and lacked adequate defense, the Fairey Swordfish was considered one of the finest 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. |