Oxford Diecast Oxford Aviation AC025
Fairey Swordfish Mk I Diecast Model
RNFAA No.821 NAS, HMS Ark Royal, 1940 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Fairey Swordfish Mk I | | 6" | | 7.75" |
The Fairey Swordfish, built by Britain's Fairey Aviation Company, was a large bi-plane with a metal frame covered in fabric, constructed with specially folding wings so it would take up less space aboard aircraft carriers. Used by the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as a torpedo bomber, it saw useful service in WWII. The aircraft was nicknamed 'Stringbag' - crews likened it to the string shopping bags used during that time, which expanded to carry objects of all shapes and sizes. The Swordfish joined 821 Naval Air Squadron in 1938 deployed aboard HMS Ark Royal, serving in the South Atlantic, Indian Ocean and then the Mediterranean. In April 1940, they were transferred to support Allied operations in Norway. The Swordfish MK I served with 821 Squadron twice - firstly between January 1939-April 1940 and then with 821X Squadron between December 1940 - January 1941 (30 aircraft). The Oxford Diecast Fairey Swordfish MK I recalls the aircraft's service aboard HMS Ark Royal in 1940. Decorated in the dark grey/pea green/off white camouflage scheme, the extra decorative detail is extensive and a great credit to this tough little aircraft.
This spotter-reconnaissance aircraft, built by the Fairey Aviation Company for the British Royal Navy, was first flown on February 22nd, 1934. Nicknamed "Stringbag" after a housewife's string shopping bag, the Swordfish could carry an unlikely combination of loads. It could lift off a carrier deck with a standard torpedo, although this made it vulnerable to fighter attack. Its low speed and stable stance made it easy to line up for a torpedo attack, as it did against the German Bismark and on the Italian naval base at Taranto, where 21 Swordfish destroyed three battleships, a cruiser, two destroyers and other warships.