Fairey Swordfish. A photo. Characteristics.

United Kingdom

A type: single-engine torpedo bomber / reconnaissance biplane

Crew: pilot, observer and gunner

Which looked at 1939 was sadly outdated compared to its sleek monoplanes-contemporaries, the plane "Suordfish» (Swordfish - Swordfish) company Fairey somehow remained viable weapon in his original role-torpedo bomber until the middle of 1942 years. In fact, after that the plane continued to build two more years, and he was gradually withdrawn from the front Operating Fleet Air Arm in May 1945 year!

The plane could trace its pedigree to the TSRI biplane, created by Fairy in 1933 in the hope of interest to the Ministry of Aviation. The trick was successful, and the Technical Request S.15 / 33 was issued to the deck torpedo carrier, the artillery fire patrol and scout. The prototype TSRII successfully passed flight tests, and in 1935, Fairy received an order for 86 aircraft. The preferred standard weapon for the Sufdish plane was the 457,2-mm (18-inch) torpedo weighing 730,3 kg (1610 pounds), which was suspended under the fuselage. Squadron No. 825 was the first division to receive Swordfish airplanes in July of 1936, and during 1937-1939 the following 12 squadrons were re-equipped with these biplanes.

Besides the fact that he spent the first two and a half years of the First World War was the main bomber-torpedo Aviation Navy aircraft "Suordfish" actively used Command RAF coastal defense. 2391 plane was built in four versions, and today four aircraft "Suordfish" preserved in a state of airworthiness - two in the UK and Canada.

Basic data

Dimensions:

• Length: 10,87 m
• Wingspan: 13,87 m
• Height: 3,76 m

The weight:

• BLANK: 2132 kg
• Maximum take-off: 3406 kg

Aircraft performance characteristics:

• Maximum speed: 222 km / h
• Range: 1658 km

Power point: "Bristol" "Pegasus» XXX

Power: 750 l. from. (559 kW)

Date of first flight:

• April 17, 1934

The surviving airworthy modifications: 

• Mk II and IV