On 17 thApril 1934 the prototype of the Swordfish ( K 4190) took to the air for the first time. Subjected to intensive testing , both in landplane and alternative floatplane form, the type was ordered into production in April 1935 with a first contract of 86 aircraft, to be named the 'Swordfish'.

The initial Swordfish Mk 1, built by Air Ministry Specification S38/34, was powered by a 690 hp Bristol Pegasus 3 M radial engine, driving a three blade fixed pitch metal propeller. The two bay bi plane wings were of all metal construction, fabric covered, with ailerons on both upper and lower wings, the bi plane configuration and its structural integrity maintained by robust interplane struts , flying and landing wires. For shipboard stowage the wings could be folded about rear spar hinges.

The tail plane unit was entirely conventional, with a strut braced tailplane, and fin and rudder of metal construction with fabric covering. The fuselage, with two open cockpits to accommodate the pilot forward and a crew of one or two aft, was also of metal construction, but covered by a combination of light alloy panels forward and fabric aft. Landing gear was of the fixed tailwheel type, with the individual main units each having a oleo shock absorber. These could easily be exchanged for an alternative float lading gear, consisting of two single step light alloy floats, each provided with a small rudder to assist directional control on the water.

Swordfish Mk 1's began to enter service with the Fleet Air Arm in June 1936, equipping No 825 Sq. At the beginning of WW 2 th FAA had 13 Squadrons operational with the Swordfish, 12 of these Squadrons at sea aboard the carriers HMS Ark Royal, Courageous. Eagle, Furious and Glorious. The Swordfish Units first saw action at the beginning of the Norwegian Campaign in 1940. On the 11^th April torpedo carrying Swordfish went into action for the first time from the carrier Furious. Two days later a catapulted Swordfish from HMS Warspite sank the German submarine U-64.

Before the end of 1940, Swordfish units have become involved in a different type of operation , under the guidance of RAF's Coastal Command. This involved mine laying and bombing attacks on German occupied Channel ports, carrying a crew of two and with auxilliary fuel tanks mounted in the rear cockpit. Also in 1940 came the supreme triumph of the Swordfish., the memorable attack on the Italian Fleet at anchor in Taranto harbour, made after reconnaisance sorties confirmed that six battleships, plus attendant cruisers and destroyers, were sheltering there.

On the night of 11^th September 1940, 21 Swordfish were launched in two waves, with an hours interval between them. All of the aircraft had long range tanks added, limiting crew to two in each aircraft, and of the total four carried flares for target illumination, six had bombs, and eleven were armed with torpedoes. The attack was carried out under difficult conditions , the aircraft having to face barrage ballons and dense AA fire. Despite this , only two aircraft and crew were lost. Reconnaissance confirmed that the attack had dealt the Italian fleet a shattering blow: three battleships damaged severely, two of them under water, a cruiser and two destroyers received hits and two auxilliary vessels had been sunk. In the short space of one hour the balance of Naval power in the Mediterranean had been irrevocably changed.

The units involved in this famous mission were No's 813,815, 819 and 824 Sq's, all embarked on HMS Illustrious. The last of the torpedo attacks made by these aircraft came in 1942 , when a futile attempt was made to prevent the German battle cruisers Gneisenau and Scharnhorst and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen from passing through the English Channel eastward. Six Swordfish of No 825 Sq , led by Lieutenant Commander Esmonde, were detailed to make an torpedo attack. On their approach they ran into stiff resistance by AA fire and an umbrella of fighters making it clear to the Sworfish crews that their task was hopeless. Despite such odds, however, Esmond and his men pressed on.

Not a single Swordfish survived and it was nothing short of a miracle that five of the eighteen crew members were rescued. All were subsequently decorated and their gallant leader, Lt C Esmonde, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the first to be given to a member of the FAA.

After this experience it was clear that the Swordfish was too vulnerable for carrying out torpedo attacks and a new role was sought for the type. This led to the redeployment of the Swordfish in an anti submarine warfare role ( ASW) using depth charges and the newly developed rocket projectiles.

The Swordfish Mk 2 entered service in 1943 and differed from the earlier version by having the lower wing strenghtened and metal skinned so it could carry and fire rocket projectiles without causing damage to the wing structure. The final production version was the Mk 3 , which mounted a radome carrying a scanner for its ASV) Air to Surface Vessel) Mk X radar between the main landing gear units. These upgrades to the old warrior brought new service life to the Swordfish and at the peak of its employment, equipped 26 Squadrons. At the beginning of 1945 there were still 9 Squadrons operating the Swordfish .

One of the highlights of Swordfish anti submarine operations was in September 1944 when Swordfish aboard the escort carrier HMS Vindex, escorting a convoy to North Russia, sank four German submarines in a single voyage.

Production ended in 1944, Fairey having built 692 and Blackburn 1699 units . On 21st May 1945 the last first line Swordfish Squadron was officially disbanded. All in all the Swordfish had a remarkable service history. In five years of war it had served as a torpedo bomber for the British fleet, as a shore based mine layer, as convoy protection from escort carriers, as a night flying flare dropper, as a rocket firing anti shipping and ASW aircraft , as well a for training and general utility duties.

In the box we find 4 frames in light blue plastic and one frame in clear with 125 parts plus a decal sheet with two options: K 8449 No 820 Naval Air Squadron HMS Courageous March 1939, K 8393/ 5A No 824 Naval Air Squadron HMS Eagle November 1940,

A nice addition is the dolly provided for the torpedo. The instruction sheet is well laid out and easy to follow. The model can be built with wings in folded or unfolded position .