Operator’s Handbook
Take a look inside the Royal Navy’s legendary ‘Stringbag’, which even outlived its own successor
The Fairey Swordfish entered service with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA) in 1936. Already slow and outdated by modern standards, a requirement was issued in the same year for a replacement.
The Swordfish would finally leave service in May 1945, 18 months after the withdrawal of its ‘replacement’. The antiquated Swordfish had proven an exceptional weapon of war.
Known affectionately as the ‘Stringbag’, because just as a string shopping bag could hold almost anything so the Swordfish could carry almost any weapon type, it would equip 13 FAA squadrons by the outbreak of the Second World War. By now, on paper at least, it was hopelessly obsolete yet a further 13 squadrons would be raised, and others serve with the RAF. The Stringbag would become one of those small number of exceptional biplanes that would survive into the beginning of the jet age. Incredibly agile and stable, with superb low-speed handling, it would take part in some of the most stunning British naval successes, and disasters, of the war, sinking or damaging several enemy battleships.
ARMAMENT
The pilot had a single 0.303in (7.7mm) fixed forward-firing Vickers gun, while the telegraphist/air gunner (TAG) had a single 0.303in movable gun for defence. Offensive armament consisted of an 18in (46cm) torpedo or a 1,500lb (700kg) sea mine slung under the fuselage, or up to 1,500lb of air- dropped munitions or pyrotechnics under the fuselage and outer wings. From 1943 Swordfish could also carry up to eight 60lb (27kg) rocket projectiles under the wings, with special plates fitted to protect the fabric from the flames from the propellent.
DESIGN
With a basic structure of metal tubing, the cockpit and engine areas were metal-skinned while the rest of the aircraft was fabriccovered. It was specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations, with arrestor hook, folding wings and rugged un
