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 Coastal Command's No. 119 Squadron, embarked upon the HMS Ark Royal. Sold Out!

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

Release Date: December 2006

Historical Account: "Command Performance" - Coastal Command had its own RAF Swordfish Squadron, No. 119, which swapped the Albacores they had been flying, for Swordfish MkIII aircraft in January 1945. This squadron was used for day and night patrols seeking troublesome E-Boats and midget submarines, and in fact successfully attacked a Biber midget submarine on March 13th, 1945, the vessel becoming the last submarine to be sunk by British Forces in WWII.