History

The Fairey Swordfish was a development of the Fairey PV, a design based on requirements of the Greek Navy. This aircraft made its first flight in March 1933.
The British Navy had a requirement specified in S.9/30 for an unarmed scout. The PV largely satisfied these requirements, apart from the engine.
The PV was modified by Fairey and equipped with a Bristol Pegasus IIM radial engine and was designated TSR 1 (Torpedo - Spotter - Reconnaissance 1). This aircraft made its first flight in July 1933 but crashed in September of that year.
The design team continued with the TSR-1 and came with a modified version with wings in light arrow position and a longer fuselage. This aircraft was designated TSR-II.
The TSR II met the now issued S.15/33 requirements for a three seat scout explorer and two-seat torpedo-bomber.
The TSR II made its first flight on April 17, 1934.
Fairey received a first production order in April 1935 and the first aircraft entered service early 1936.
In 1942 the Navy started replacing the Swordfish by the Fairey Albacore, Fairey Barracuda and Grumman Avenger in the role of torpedo-bomber.
The Swordfish was still kept in use for anti-submarine warfare. Meanwhile the production had been transferred to Blackburn.
in the anti-submarine role the Swordfish was equipped with depth charges or eight RP-3 rockets and therefore the lower wing has been made entirely of metal and a more powerful Pegasus 30 engine was installed. This model was designated Swordfish Mk. II.
Later a version equipped with ASV Mk.XI radar in a radome under the fuselage was released under the designation Swordfish Mk.III.
The ASV Mk. XI radar had a range of about 40 km and was used to detect surface ships and, if weather conditions were good enough, snorkeling submarines could also be detected
The Sword Fishes were (as anti-submarine aircraft) used from so-called MAC ships (Merchant Aircraft Carrier) and from escort carriers.
MAC ships were converted tankers or grain ships equipped with a flight deck.
The last Swordfish was delivered in August 1944.
Eventually, there were nearly 2400 examples built, 989 Mk.Is, 1080 Mk.IIs and 327 Mk.IIIs.

Versions.

Swordfish I:
The first production version, of which nearly 1000 were built.
Swordfish II:
Version with metal under wing and a more powerful engine.
Swordfish III:
As mk. II and equipped with ASV radar.
Swordfish IV:
implementation of the Swordfish II with a closed, heated cockpit; 110 examples modified.

 

Technical information Fairey Swordfish Mk. I
Dimensions:
Length: 10,87 m Wingspan: 13,87 m
Height: 3,76 m Wing area: 56,4 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 1,900 kg kg Max. start weight: 3450 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 257 km/hr Climbing speed: 4.42 m/s at sea level
Cruising speed: 218 km/hr    
Range: 880 km Service ceiling: 5030 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Bristol Pegasus IIIM.3 radial engine, 690 hp (510 kW)
Crew: Three: one pilot, one observer and a radio operator/rear gunner
Armament: One fixed, forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun in engine cowling; one .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis or Vickers K machine gun in rear cockpit; One × 1,670 lb (760 kg) torpedo or 1,500 lb (700 kg) mine under fuselage or 1,500 lb bombs under fuselage and wings.

 

Technical information Fairey Swordfish Mk.II
Dimensions:
Length: 11,12 m Wingspan: 13,92 m
Height: 3,93 m Wing area: 56,4 m2
Weights:
Empty weight: 2359 kg Max. start weight: 4196 kg
Performances:
Max. speed: 224 km/hr Climbing speed: - m/min
Cruising speed: 167 km/hr    
Range: 1658 km (with torpedo: 885 km) Service ceiling: 3260 m
Miscellaneous:
Engine type: One Bristol Pegasus XXX rated 750 hp
Crew: Three: one pilot, one observer and a radio operator/rear gunner
Armament: One fixed, forward-firing .303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers machine gun in engine cowling; one .303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis or Vickers K machine gun in rear cockpit; Eight × "60 lb" RP-3 rocket projectiles; One × 1,670 lb (760 kg) torpedo or 1,500 lb (700 kg) mine under fuselage or 1,500 lb bombs under fuselage and wings.

 


Squadron 860 was formed at Donibristle in June 1943 and equipped with six Fairey Swordfish Is, used for training purposes.
In November 1943 the squadron moved to Maydown with twelve Swordfishes and became part of the MAC-ship Wing of 836 squadron.

It operated from two MAC ships MV Acavus and MV Gadila, In June 1944 the flight operating from the MV Acavus moved to MV Macoma.
After VE-Day the squadron Flights were disbanded and in June 1945 squadron 860 was re-equipped with twelve Fairey Barracuda IIIs originating from 822 squadron in June 1945.

D1992162 V2

Fairey Swordfish Mk.II of the Royal Naval Historical Flight photographed during an Open Day RNlAF, June 1992 at airbase Gilze-Rijen.
Theorange triangle was applied on the tail, because the 75th anniversary of the RNLAS.

D1992165 V2

Fairey Swordfish Mk.II of the Royal Naval Historical Flight photographed during an Open Day RNlAF, June 1992 at airbase Gilze-Rijen.

Fairey Swordfish anti submarine aircraft FAA/ MLDSQ 860.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
A formation Fairey Swordfish anti submarine aircraft on their way to a carrier ('O"- flight off to the ship).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Gelande Swordfish at one of the Dutch MAC ships(Gadila ).
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
A 'heavy landing' of a Fairey Swordfish anti submarine aircraft at a MAC ship.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Landing of a Fairey Swordfish anti submarine aircraft on the flight deck of a MAC ship.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Dayly inspection of a Fairey Swordfish at a MAC ship. left the tail of Swordfish LS157 is visible.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Swordfish FAA/ MLDSQ 860 (1943-1945) aboard MAC MV "Gadila".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Swordfish anti submarine aircraft FAA/ MLDSQ 860 (1943-1945), serial LS437, being boarded from MAC MV "Gadila" at Halifax, Canada.
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]
Fairey Swordfish FAA/ MLDSQ 860 (1943-1945) aboard MV "Gadila".
[Enclosed photo from BeeldBank NIMH. Click on photo for ordering information]

 


Fairey Swordfish

 

   
   

 


Serial
Serial
Code.
Code
Constr. nr.
Constr. nr.
Date in service
Date in service
Date out of service
Date out of service
Notes
Notes
Fairey Swordfish Mk.I [loan from FAA.]
V4431 D   19-06-1943 28-12-1943 Damaged, returned FAA.
Fairey Swordfish Mk.II [on loan from FAA.]
DK860 E   26-06-1943 29-12-1943 Returned to FAA.
DK682 F   26-06-1943 01-08-1943 Returned to FAA.
HS217 C   19-06-1943 01-09-1943 Returned to FAA.
HS274 K   01-12-1943 08-12-1943 Crash near Scotland and written off. See also Aircrew Remembered
HS289 B   19-06-1943 26-12-1943 Returned to FAA.
HS291 E   01-12-1943 01-08-1943 Returned to FAA.
HS362 A   19-06-1943 30-12-1943 Returned to FAA.
HS405     20-03-1943   Emergency landing near Ballykelly and written off.
HS616       21-12-1944 Crash in sea and written off.
HS637 L   01-12-1943 27-04-1945 Returned to FAA.
HS654 A   30-12-1943 27-04-1905 Returned to FAA.
LS151     27-4-1905 22-08-1944 Accident (Macoma) and written off.
LS152 D   24-12-1943 01-03-1944 Accident (Gadila) and written off.
LS155 F   26-12-1943   Returned to FAA.
LS157 B   23-12-1943 28-06-1944 Accident (Macoma) and written off.
LS158 C   26-12-1943 27-04-1905 Returned to FAA.
LS172       04-09-1944 Accident (Macoma) and written off.
LS174     28-01-1944 27-04-1905  
LS193       23-02-1945 Accident (Gadila) and written off.
LS237       27-09-1944 Accident (Macorna) and written off.
LS241       02-11-1944 Accident (Macorna) and written off.
LS244     11-01-1944 01-09-1943 Crash in sea; Written off.
LS278       02-12-1944  
LS289 H   13-10-1943 01-09-1943 Collided with LS244; Written off.
LS291 G     01-09-1943  
LS293       08-04-1945 Accident (Gadila) and written off.
LS294       03-11-1944 Accident (Macoma) and written off.
LS298 H        
LS350       07-08-1944 Accident and written off.
LS389       15-12-1944  
LS398       24-10-1943 Crash in sea and written off.
LS437 S2     30-01-1945 Accident (Gadila) and written off.
NE888       16-08-1944 Overboard (Macoma) and written off.
Fairey Swordfish Mk.III [Loan from FAA.]
NR976     01-04-1945 09-04-1945  
NS187     01-04-1945 25-04-1945  
NS199     01-04-1945 03-04-1945 At delivery flight crash landing on Macoma and written off.

 


1/72nd Scale

Kits

  • Airfix
    • Kit 02071: Fairey Swordfish Mk. II (the old kit)
    • Kit 04053: Fairey Swordfish Mk. II (new mouldingl)
    • Kit 05006: Fairey Swordfish Mk.I Floatplane (new mould)
    • Kit 050133: Gift pack Fairey Swordfish Mk1 "Sink the Bismarck" (new mould)
  • Ark Models
    • Kit 72013: Fairey Swordfish Mk.I Torpedo plane .
  • Chematic
    • Kit xx: Fairey Swordfish.
  • Cooperativa
    • Kit R72004: Fairey Swordfish Mk. I/III (former FROG-kit) with resin and photo-etched parts added.
  • Eastern Express
    • Kit 72270: Fairey Swordfish Mk. I
  • Emhar
    • Kit 72270: Fairey Swordfish Mk. I
  • Matchbox
    • Kit 40120: Fairey Swordfish Mk. 1/III
  • Modelcraft
    • Kit 72-002: Fairey Swordfish Mk. II
  • MPM
    • Kit 72130: Fairey Swordfish Mk. I/III
  • Novo
    • Kit 258: Fairey Swordfish Mk. I (former FROG-kit)
  • Revell
    • Kit 04115: Fairey Swordfish Mk. III (former matchbox kit)

 

Building a kit of the Fairey Swordfish by Peter Banis.

Fairey Swordfish PBanis 8 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 3 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 5 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 4 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 9 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 7 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 6 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 2 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 1 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 11 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 2 Fairey Swordfish PBanis 12

 

Modelling add-on

  • Ace Models
    • Kit PE7219 : Detailset Fairey Swordfish (Frog/Novo/MPM)
  • Aeroclub
    • Set P016: Fairey Reed 3 bladed 12`diam. prop (Swordfish,Hendon)
  • Airwaves
    • Set 72001: Bristol Mercury/Pegasus
    • Set 72178: Fairey Swordfish Detail set
  • CMK
    • Set A7270: Fairey Swordfish Interior set (Airfix)
    • Set A7269: Fairey Swordfish engine set (Airfix)
  • Pavla
    • Set U72134: Fairey Swordfish MKIII ASW Conversion (Airfix)
    • Set U72136: Fairey Swordfish Long exhaust pipes (Airfix)
  • Radial engines and wheels
    • Set 72002: Bristol Pegasus (1)
  • Vector Resin
    • Set 72001: Bristol Mercury/Pegasus
  • White Ensign Models
    • Set PE7253: Fairey Swordfish Details (Airfix)

Decals

  • Dutch Decal
    • Set 72014: "Dutchies in FAA" Decals for several aicraft like Swordfish Mk.II.
    • Set 72072: "Dutchies in RAF" Decals for several aircraft like Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest, Mosquito, Halifax, Mitchell and Swordfish.

1/48th Scale

Kits

  • Smer
    • Kit 0818: Fairey Swordfish Mk.II float plane
  • Tamiya
    • Kit 61071: Fairey Swordfish Mk.I with floats
    • Kit 61079: Fairey Swordfish Mk 1 (Clear Edition)
    • Kit 61099: Fairey Swordfish Mk 2

Modelling add-on

  • Aeroclub
  • Kit V082: Swordfish accessoires
  • CMK
    • Kit 4163 : Fairey Swordfish Control Surfaces (Tamiya)
    • Kit 4063 : Blackfish Swordfish MKIII ASV Radarplane (Tamiya)
  • Eduard
    • Kit 49-384 / FE384: Detailset Fairey Swordfish MKII self adhesive PRE-PAINTED IN COLOUR! (Tamiya)
    • Kit 49-212: Detailset Fairey Swordish MK1 (Tamiya)
    • Kit 48-362: Detailset Swordfish MK1 Floatplane (Tamiya)
    • Kit 48-308: Detailset Fairey Swordfish MK1 (Tamiya)
    • Kit XF531 : Express Mask Swordfish camo. Scheme (Tamiya,Smer)
  • Quickboost
    • Kit 48088: Fairey Swordfish Mk.I exhaust (designed to be used with Tamiya kits)
  • Tamiya
    • Kit 61069: Fairey Swordfish strut bracing set etched (designed to be used with Tamiya kit)
    • Kit 61072: Fairey Swordfish floatplane photo etched bracing wire set (designed to be used with Tamiya kits)

Decals

  • Dutch Decal
    • Set 48025: Several aircraft such as Swordfish MKIIb, T7, PBY5A (Kon Marine) Meteor F8, C47(KLU)
    • Set 48042 : Decalset for several different aircraft such as Sea Hawk Kon Marine, Hunter KLu, Swordfish FAA, FW56 Stosser LSK)

 


The Swordfishes had the default FAA paint scheme applied. This scheme varied depending on the period of the war.

Scheme Colour name FS number BS-number Humbrol XtraColor Vallejo Model Color Vallejo Model Air Hataka
Standard #1 Upper surfaces Dark Slate Grey   BS:634 102 X025   71.092 ~202
Extra Dark Sea Grey ~6099 BS:640 123 / 106 X-5 / X-376 70.866 71.110 ~140
Lower surfaces White ~7875 - 34   70.951 71.001 ~049
 
Standard #2 Upper surfaces Dark Slate Grey   BS:634 102 X025   71.092 ~202
Extra Dark Sea Grey ~6099 BS:640 123 / 106 X-5 / X-376 70.866 71.110 ~140
Lower surfaces Sky - BS:210 90 X004 / X130 - 71.302 ~026

Check www.paint4models.com for an extensive conversion table with lots of colour and paint systems.

 

Fairey Swordfish MkI 1 SMALL
(Possible) Colour scheme of a Fairey Swordfish Mk.I 860 squadron.

 

Fairey Swordfish MkII 1 SMALL
Colour scheme of a Fairey Swordfish Mk.II.

 

Fairey Swordfish MkI 1 SMALL
Alternate Colour scheme of a Fairey Swordfish Mk.II.

 

Fairey Swordfish MkIII 1 SMALL
Colour scheme of a Fairey Swordfish Mk.III.

 


Literature.

Dutch Military Aviation 1945-1978 Paul A. Jackson Pag. 125 1978 Uitgever: Midland Countries Publications, Leicester
Nederlandse Marinevliegtuigen Thijs Postma & Nico Geldhof Pag. 35 1978 Uitgever: Omniboek, 's Gravenhage
Zestig jaar Marineluchtvaartdienst in Beeld. Hugo Hooftman Pag. 89 1977 Uitgever: Europese Bibliotheek, Zaltbommel
Air Enthusiast 40: Swordfish William Green & Gordon Swanborough Pag. 53 - 69 1989 Uitgever: Tri-Service Press, Bromley, Kent
85 JAAR Marineluchtvaartdienst in beeld Van Farman tot NH 90 Helikopter Peter Korbee Pag. 78 - 79 2002 Uitgever: Korbee MLD Promotie, Valkenburg
Swordfish: Fairey Swordfish Mks I - III Aeroguide Classics number 4 Ray Rimell   1988 Uitgever: Linewright Ltd., Ongar, Essex
Fairey Swordfish in Action Aircraft number 175 Greer, Don   2001 Uitgever: Squadron/Signal Publications Inc., Carrolton, Texas

 

Websites.

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