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Subject: Re: Seldom-seen WWII pix
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From: =?UTF-8?Q?Ri=c2=a9ardo?= <here@glorious-somerset.uk>
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On 8/8/2015 2:04 PM, Charles Lindbergh wrote:
>
>> On 8/8/2015 2:35 AM, Byker wrote:
>>
>> Fairey Swordfish - A remarkable aircraft:
>>
>> "Although Swordfish numbered no more than 27 aircraft, they sank an
>> average 50,000 tons (50,800 MT) of shipping every month. During one
>> month, they sank a record 98,000 tons (99,572 MT). Swordfish attacked
>> enemy convoys at night although they were not equipped with night
>> instrumentation. The risky night missions were necessary to avoid German
>> fighters which encircled the island of Malta by day. On June 30, 1940,
>> Swordfish completed a raid attacking oil installations at Augusta in
>> Sicily."
>>
>> http://www.aviation-history.com/fairey/swordfish.html
>>
>
> Ricardo, I read the article you posted. I was shocked the Swordfish holds the record for sinking more tonnage
> than any other allied aircraft during WWII.
>
> I am guessing this had a lot to do with circumstance as opposed to any remarkable capabilities of the
> aircraft, what is your perspective on this?
>
Well, one obvious thought must be that as the British had in excess of
two years of hostile action before any other major participants appeared
in the conflict on the Allied side, they bore the brunt of the onslaught
of the Axis powers. So, yes, circumstances and a frenzied fight to
survive meant that we had to fight with tooth and nail with every
available asset - even if some of those assets were completely outdated.
Those two fraught years were used to good advantage, however, with
substantial losses being inflicted on the French and Italian navies, as
well as Germany's fleet. As early as 1940 it was Swordfish aircraft that
crippled the Italian fleet at Taranto, where two thirds of their
battleships were lost, as well as many other vessels, at the cost of two
Swordfish. These aircraft were also used against the French fleet in
1940, following the fall of France, plus, in 1941, the Germans lost the
Bismark to the actions of these aircraft, which disabled her steering
mechanism.
That said, it seems that the Swordfish was a versatile and easy to fly
aircraft, and its slow speed capability made it ideally suited to
carrier operations. It's interesting to note, given other recent
postings on this NG, that the Swordfish also used rocket assisted
take-off gear. They were also used as artillery spotter platforms for
warships.
Its success can probably be defined by four factors:
The first, as you surmised, being circumstances; second would be the
capabilities and sheer ruggedness of the aircraft; third would be the
rigorous training of the flight crews and, finally, the planning and
reconnaissance involved with the operations against major multiple targets.
Of course, I could be wrong...
;-)
I'm surprised to see that we actually exported Swordfish to five other
nations!
--
Moving Things In Still Pictures
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