The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber, designed by the Fairey Aviation Company. Originating in the early 1930s, the Swordfish, nicknamed "Stringbag", was principally 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 was increasingly used as an anti-submarine and training platform. The type was in frontline service throughout the Second World War.

Despite being representative of early 1930s aircraft design and teetering on the edge of becoming outdated (in comparison to some alternatives), the Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes during the war.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 German battleship Bismarck, which contributed to her eventual demise. Swordfish sank a greater tonnage of Axis shipping than any other Allied aircraft during the war. The Swordfish remained in front-line service until V-E Day, having outlived some of the aircraft intended to replace it.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Royal Navy Fairey Swordfish Mk. I torpedo plane the participating in the FAA/RN Historic Flight, which was held at RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron). Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 6-inches

Release Date: December 2023

Historical Account: "HMS Heron" - In 1938, the potential of the land at Yeovilton for use as an airfield was spotted by Westland Aircraft's chief test pilot Harald Penrose, and an offer was made to buy the land. The owners, however, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of the Church of England, refused to sell it. In 1939, the Admiralty Air Division commandeered 417 acres (169 hectares) of the land, and work began on the construction of the site. The runways being completed in 1941, despite problems with poor drainage. A main runway of 3,645 feet (1,111 metres) and three subsidiary runways each of 3,000 feet (914 metres) had been constructed.

750 Naval Air Squadron was formed at RNAS Ford on May 24th, 1939; 84 years ago, from the Royal Navy Observer School, but after Ford was bombed early in the war, it moved to RNAS Yeovilton. They were joined by 751 and 752 Squadrons, with the Naval Air Fighter School soon following. In addition, Westland Aircraft developed a repair facility at the site.

From 1940 on, the site was subjected to Luftwaffe bombing on several occasions. 794 Naval Air Squadron was the first to be formed at the base, and served to train other squadrons to practice aerial gunnery, and part of one of the runways was marked up as a flight deck to practice landing on an aircraft carrier. 827 Naval Air Squadron was also stationed at Yeovilton operating Fairey Albacores and later Barracudas starting in May 1943, becoming the first squadron to receive Barracudas in any substantial number. Several units which were preparing for embarkation were also stationed at the site during the Second World War. Because of pressure on space at the airfield, satellite sites were set up at Charlton Horethorne and Henstridge in 1942. A center for Air Direction Radar was also established at Speckington Manor on the edge of the airfield.