Despite the fact that it was slow, and lacked adequate defense, the Fairey Swordfish was considered one of the finest naval aircraft of the Second Word War. It was the only Allied aircraft in continuous production from (1934) before the start of hostilities to the end of the war. Originally designed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, this lumbering biplane anachronism flew on into the era of high-performance monoplanes and even jets and achieved phenomenal success.

Though used in many theatres and for many purposes its most famous escapades included the torpedoing and crippling of the German pocket battleship Bismarck enabling Royal Navy surface vessels to finish her off. As well, a daring low-level night raid by Swordfish from HMS Illustrious against the Italian Navy at anchor in the harbour of Taranto held the powerful Regia Marina (Italian Navy) at bay and kept them from venturing at will into the Mediterranean to disrupt allied convoys sailing to North Africa.

Many people assume that the Swordfish’s nickname “Stringbag” is in reference to the multitude of wires and cables that hold it together. In fact, it was used by crews who likened the aircraft’s phenomenal ability to carry an endless selection of ordinance and weapons to the British housewife’s string shopping bag that could adapt, expand and hold a wide variety of packages.

Type: Military 2 - 3 place, single engine, multi-role carrier-based aircraft
Notable Facts: Part of Ernie Simmons' of Tillsonburg, ON collection
Manufactured: 1942, Blackburn Aircraft Co., England
Construction Number: F/B 3527A;
Military Serial Number: RN # HS 554; RCN # HS 554
Current Registration: C-GEVS
Present Markings: Period Royal Navy colours and markings
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