Few aircraft encompass as many contradictions as the Fairey Swordfish -
the legendary 'Stringbag' naval torpedo bomber was approaching
antiquation at the start of the war yet struck mortal blows against some
of the most powerful battleships in the Axis fleets. Naval aviation
historian Matthew Willis explores how modern technology such as radar
kept the Swordfish effective in the early years of the war and enabled
it to find and hit the Italian fleet at Taranto, and the Bismarck in the
Atlantic, in circumstances where no other aircraft could have
succeeded.
When it was finally superseded in its main role with the Fleet, the
Swordfish fulfilled vital roles protecting convoys from the U-boat
menace. The story of the Swordfish's service across the majority of
theatres in WW2, from the hunt for the Graf Spee to the beaches of
Normandy, is told here with never before- published accounts from
veteran aircrews. Includes 100+ historic photographs and unique images
of the Royal Navy Historic Flight's preserved aircraft