The Fairey Swordfish must surely be one of the best known biplanes of WWII. Indeed many readers will still see either the Mk I or II flying at air shows in the UK. Starting out as a private venture by Fairey and originating from the TSR I biplane of 1933, the Swordfish went on to outlast aircraft that had been designed to replace it such as the Fairey Albacore. The Swordfish was considered obsolete by many at the outbreak of hostilities yet 86 aircraft were ordered in 1935 followed by a further 131 aircraft, and it was still in service on VE day in 1945. Incredible though it may seem, the Stringbag was ultimately responsible for the destruction of a greater tonnage of hostile shipping than any other type of allied aircraft. The initial Swordfish Mk I was powered by a 690hp (515-kW) Bristol Pegasus IIIM3 radial engine, driving a three-bladed, fixed-pitch Fairey Reed metal propeller. The wings were of an all metal construction, fabric covered and could be folded back around rear spar hinges. The aircraft had a strut braced tailplane with metal constructed fin and rudder with fabric covering. The locking brace to secure the main wings was permanently located under each tailplane and is clearly visible in the accompanying photographs. The tail wheel was fixed, as were the main gear units although the latter were easily interchangeable with alloy floats. Armament consisted of one forward firing 0.303 in (7.7mm) Vickers machine gun with one Vickers 'K' or Lewis gun mounted in the aft cockpit. The Swordfish could carry one 18in (0.46m) torpedo beneath the fuselage. Alternative loads of one 1,500lb (680kg) mine or two 500lb (227kg) bombs beneath the fuselage plus two 250lb (113kg) bombs mounted on underwing racks or one 500lb bomb beneath the fuselage and one 500lb bomb beneath each wing.
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