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.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Royal Navy Fairey Swordfish Mk. I torpedo plane that were embarked upon the HMS Illustrious (R87) and participating in the Battle of Taranto, during November 1940. Pre-order! Ship Date: 2026.

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

Release Date: ?

Historical Account: "Operation Judgement" - Following Italy's declaration of war against Britain, the powerful Italian Navy posed a huge threat to British forces across the Mediterranean, and something had to be done. Operation Judgement called for Fleet Air Arm Fairey Swordfish to attack the Italian Fleet moored in Taranto Harbor.

They needed to score a decisive victory, but could a formation of ageing biplane strike aircraft take on one of the most powerful naval fleets in the world? On the night of November 11th/12th,1940, 20 Swordfish armed with either torpedoes or bombs attacked the ships in two waves, 20 minutes apart, inflicting significant damage.

Swordfish L4M crewed by Lt(A) H. Swayne RN and Sub Lt(A) J. Buscall was part of the first wave, second element torpedo attack, lining up on the Battleship Littorio and releasing their torpedo at low level from 400 yards, actually passing through the ships masts during the pull out from the attack, hitting the vessel and causing serious damage.

Relying on the skill, courage, and determination of a small number of Naval airmen, the raid showed that powerful warships were no match for air power, and that the aircraft carrier and its aircraft would now rule the waves.

This successful raid was studied closely by Japanese naval commanders in advance of their infamous raid against Pearl Harbor the following year, even though that raid was significantly more powerful in terms of both the number of aircraft and aircraft carriers used.