Flown for the first time in 1934 the appearance of a large and noisy biplane created more than average interest. By some nostalgic means it was a breath of air from a far earlier and more gracious age. It was designed to operate from land, aircraft carriers or as a floatplane. The plane was slow but highly manoeuvrable.
In 1940 came the most famous action of the Swordfish, the attack on the Italian fleet at anchor in Taranto harbour. It was made by 21 Swordfish on the night of 11 November, launched in two waves. By dropping torpedoes and bombs three battleships were damaged severely, a cruiser and two destroyers had been hit and two auxiliary vessels had been sunk.
In 1941 15 Swordfish torpedo aircraft attacked and crippled the German battleship Bismarck which was finally sunk by naval gunfire and torpedoes.
Later versions had strengthened wings and capable of carrying rocket armament which were effective in anti-submarines duties together with radar. With a crew of two or three, the Swordfish had a maximum speed of 224 km/h at 1450 m. and was armed with one forward-firing Vickers `K` gun and one Lewis or Vickers `K` gun aft.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar