Fairey
Swordfish. Torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm in aviation art
prints by aviation artists, Ivan Berryman, David Pentland, Geoff Lea and Robert
Taylor. The Fairey Swordfish Torpedo Bomber of the Royal Navy, art prints
available from the aviation prints.co.uk.
FAIREY SWORDFISH, Torpedo Bomber and reconnaissance Biplane, crewed by Three,
with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. maximum ceiling
19,000 feet. reduced as a float plane. armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun
fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit.. One 1610lb Torpedo or up to
1500lb bomb load
At the outbreak of world war two the Fleet Air
Arm had 13 operational
squadrons .The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major
contributions to naval warfare, during the Norwegian campaign, and
especially during the raid on Taranto. During November 1940, Twenty
Swordfish took off from HMS Illustrious (operation Judgement ) to attack the
Italian Fleet in their Harbour of Taranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their
targets. Seven Italian ships were badly damaged including the Italian
battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. This was followed
in February 1942, by an heroic but suicidal attack on German Battle Cruisers in
the English Channel by six swordfish of 825 squadron of RAF Manston, all
aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader
Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the Torpedo
Attack on the Bismarck by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged
the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of
the German battleship by Royal Navy Battleships. The Fairey
Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles. The
Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by Tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in
the same roles. By the end of the War the Fleet Air Arm still had nine
active squadrons, which were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399
Swordfish were built.
Launch Against the Bismarck by Robert Taylor.
Late in the day on May 26, 1941, in deteriorating weather, 15 Fairey Swordfish biplanes launched from the heaving deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Each was armed with a single torpedo, its task to halt the escape of the battleship Bismarck. The navy pilots knew they must succeed before dark: by the following morning the German battleship would reach the protection of Luftwaffe aircraft based in France. Contending with turbulence and sea spray, one by one the Swordfish made their attack, running in just feet above the waves. The frail biplanes were met with a barrage of murderous gunfire, Bismarck bringing all possible armament to bear. Attempting to avoid the in-coming attack, the 42,000 ton battleship was in a high-speed turn when a torpedo from a Number 2 subflight Swordfish struck her steering gear. The explosion irreparably jammed her rudder over 12 degrees sealing the fate of the mighty warship. Unable to steer, all she could do was await the dawn and the arrival of t.........
The attack on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the world and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt. AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo.
Item Code : DHM2328
Operation Judgement by Philip West. - Editions Available
Commander Charles Lamb fought an exceptional war flying the slow and obsolete Fairey Swordfish for the Fleet Air Arm. In this now-famous account, filled with fantastic incident and casual heroism, he tells the story of how he used this Stringbag to deadly effect against the Germans, the Italians and the Japanese during the Second World War.
Item Code : NMP6217
War in a Stringbag by Charles Lamb. - Editions Available
The Fairey Swordfish General Purpose Spotter-Reconnaissance and Torpedo Aircraft was introduced into service with the Royal Navy in July 1936, was obsolete by 1939 and went on to become one of the most famous of all World War Two British aircraft. Bill Harrisons expert text looks at the history of Fairey and of British naval aviation before describing the design, evolution and operational use of the Swordfish and the Albacore. Including first-hand accounts from aircraft crews and a wealth of archive photographs, this is a book that deserves a place on the bookshelf of all enthusiasts of naval aviation.
Item Code : NMP9161
Fairey Swordfish and Albacore by W A Harrison. - Editions Available
The Royal Navys week long chase of the formidable German battleship Bismarck culminated in the foul evening weather of 26th May 1941. Despite the deck of HMS Ark Royal pitching through 55 feet, S/Lt John Moffat was one of fifteen Swordfish pilots who took off to attack Bismarck. After 90 minutes of arduous and turbulent flying the Swordfish found their quarry and dived through the intense anti-aircraft fire to drop their torpedoes. One of these hit and jammed Bismarcks rudder and condemned the battleship to sail in slow circles. The Royal Navys own capital ships then closed in and pounded Bismarck into a burning wreck.
Item Code : DHM2320
Flight Against the Bismarck by Philip West. - Editions Available
Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously.
Item Code : DHM1349
Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman. - Editions Available
Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West.
The Channel Dash (officially known as Operation Cerberus) was one of three operations during the Second World War for which the Swordfish was to become the most famous. Heavily outgunned in the Straits of Dover on this day in February 1942 by the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats, and with top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe, all six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish were shot down. Only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. Here we see the Swordfish flown by Sub. Lt. Kingsmill and Sub. Lt. Samples with PO Bunce in the rear, fighting for their lives with his machine gun.
Item Code : DHM2329
Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West. - Editions Available
Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. The painting depicts the first wave of Swordfish attacking the Scharnhorst with Gneisenau taking avoiding action in the distance. A German torpedo boat has turned to confront the attacking aircraft.
Item Code : B0138
Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman. - Editions Available
Original black and white acrylic by Ivan Berryman. Full Item Details
Image size 16 inches x 12 inches (41cm x 31cm)
Artist : Ivan Berryman
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NOT AVAILABLE
Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.
Shows the action on 26th May 1941 by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal on the German battleship Bismarck. Fresh from her triumphant encounter with HMS Hood, Bismarck was struck by Swordfishs torpedo which jammed her rudder and was finished off by the home fleet on 27th May 1941.
Item Code : DHM0267
Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea. - Editions Available
A Fairey Swordfish launches from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in 1939. HMS Eagle would later fall victim to German U-boat U-73 on 11th August 1942.
Item Code : IBF0044
Viceless Lady by Ivan Berryman. (GS) - Editions Available
The Straits of Dover, 12th February 1942. Sub Lieutenant Edgar Lee helps his badly wounded pilot, Sub Lieutenant Brian Rose from the cockpit of their downed Swordfish, before it sinks into the depths of the English Channel following their brave attack on the mighty German fleet. Six Royal Navy Swordfish aircraft manned by 18 aircrew attacked the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats and top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe. But only five Swordfish crew survived.
Item Code : DHM1669
Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West. - Editions Available
Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot) Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner) Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed.
Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led .........
The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour.
Item Code : DHM0519
Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders - Editions Available
The venerable Fairy Swordfish was the Fleet Air Arms premier torpedo-bomber at the outbreak of World War II. It may have looked archaic in appearance, but its courageous crews proved time and time again that it was a potent fighting machine. Stringbags as they were affectionately known, served in several important roles and theatres including Coastal Command, the Mediterranean and flying from MAC-ships protecting North Atlantic and Arctic convoys.
Item Code : DHM2675
On a Wing and a Prayer by Philip West. - Editions Available
On November 11, 1940 a group of 21 slow, outdated Swordfish biplanes attacked and crippled the Italian Fleet in the heavily defended port of Taranto. One of the most daring raids of World War II captured in this print for posterity.
Item Code : DHM2174
Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor. - Editions Available
Bismarck and Swordfish by Jason Askew. (P) - Editions Available
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ORIGINAL DRAWING
Original pencil drawing by Jason Askew, with original signatures. Full Item Details
Pencil drawing image area size 25.5 inches x 17 inches (65cm x 43cm) Surrounded by coloured border, making the total paper size 35 inches x 23.5 inches (89cm x 63cm)
Commissioned on August 24, 1940, the German battleship Bismarck was the epitome of naval power. The great ship was 823 feet in length, had a beam of 118 feet, and a displacement of 50,000 tons. After nine months of sea trials the Bismarck embarked on its first mission accompanied by the cruiser Prinz Eugen on May 19, 1941. The Bismarcks mission was to destroy and disrupt convoys carrying war relief supplies to Britain from North America. On May 20th the Bismarck was spotted and reported to British intelligence as it passed through the narrow straits between Denmark and Sweden. The British presumed correctly that the Bismarck was headed for the North Atlantic, but by which route? Dividing its naval forces in an attempt to intercept the mighty German battleship, four ships were sent to patrol the Denmark strait, including the newly commissioned battleship Prince of Wales, and the H.M.S. Hood, a heavily armed battle cruiser, pride of the British fleet. On may 23rd the Bismarck was spotte.........
Two Stringbags (Fairey Swordfish) pass across the bow of HMS Courageous as she staggers from torpedo strikes launched from a German U-Boat in the Irish Sea.
Item Code : DHM0854
HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson. - Editions Available
