The Swordfish was a three-man torpedo-bomber and reconnaissance biplane with a basic structure of fabric-covered metal. The wings folded for storage on the crowded deck of an aircraft carrier. Armament included one forward-firing Vickers machine gun and one swiveling Vickers in the rear cockpit. Primary offensive power took the form of depth charges, mines, bombs or, especially, a torpedo. Unfortunately, this outstanding plane was too slow to withstand the punishment of German anti-aircraft fire. Long, accurate approaches to the target made the Swordfish very vulnerable when delivering its torpedo. Thus came re-deployment in an anti-submarine warfare role, using depth charges and, later, rockets.

As with many wartime aircraft, Swordfish were produced by more than one manufacturer. Well over half (almost 1700) were built by the Blackburn company in Sherburn in Elmet, UK.

This particular 1:72 scale replica of a Swordfish was flown by 'L' Flight of No. 836 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, MAC Ship Rapana, then assisting in guarding the North Atlantic convoys during 1943. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: February 2010

Historical Account: "Deep Sea Fishing" - During WWII the Atlantic convoys suffered great losses and in large part that was due to the lack of air cover. There were simply not enough Carriers for the job. The solution was to use grain and oil carriers fitted with a flight deck whilst still able to carry their usual cargos. These ships carried a flight of three or four Swordfish armed with rocket projectiles or depth charges.

The Swordfish used on these ships were all part of 836 Sqn which provided flights for 19 MAC ships with a total of over eighty aircraft making it the largest ever Fleet Air Arm squadron. They operated in frequently atrocious weather conditions with maintenance work often carried out on the open flight decks.

LS326 was one of these aircraft on board HMS Rapana. She is a survivor and still flies today as the founder member of the Fleet Air Arm Historic Flight and has been repainted in her original wartime colours.