The most unlikely star of the air defense of England against the Nazis was an obsolete biplane known as the "Stringbag"--a version of the Fairey Swordfish that earned legendary battle honors. Endearing to its pilots for its maneuverability and simplicity, the Stringbag finally gets a well-deserved chronicle. From its design origins and early peacetime service to its rush into war action, this torpedo-spotting reconnaissance aircraft soon became the standard carrier-borne torpedo bomber, and participated in such crucial operations as the Bismarck attack, Taranto, Norway, and the Channel Dash. Along with its battle record, fully illustrated specifications are given for all variants of the Swordfish, as well as names of all its squadrons, and a history of all individual aircraft.

The Swordfish Story

STURTIVANT, Ray

Arts & Photography

Sterling Pub. Co., Inc.

When war broke out the Royal Navy had only recovered control of its air arm some three months earlier, having lost the Royal Naval Air Service on the formation of the RAF in April 1918. As a consequence it still had many ties with the latter service, and RAF uniforms were much in evidence.The expansion which was already under way gathered momentum, and many new first and second line squadrons began to appear, some of the latter forming overseas as home bases came under threat. New fleet carriers were under construction, the heavily-armoured 'illustrious' class being intended to replace the obsolescent types in service since the 1920s. Biplane carrier aircraft were gradually giving way to monoplanes, though the Swordfish was destined to remain in operational service until the end of the war.Shortage of new fleet carriers led to expedients such as CAM-ships, which were merchant ships fitted with a catapult, and later MAC-ships, being grain ships or tankers able to operate a flight of Swordfish from a small flight deck. More ambitious conversions were the escort carriers, which could operate a whole squadron of fighters or TSR aircraft. By the time the war ended, the Fleet Air Arm had around 70 first line squadrons, many equipped with American-built aircraft. Just coming into service were several light fleet carriers, intended for operations against the Japanese.Illustrated by over 200 photographs, many of which are published for the first time, 'Fleet Air Arm at War' tells the wartime story of that service from the many viewpoints of those who served in it.

Fleet Air Arm at war

Allan

Tonbridge published Military History - Air

The Squadrons of the Fleet Air Arm

History

Military

Tonbridge : Air-Britain (Historians) (c1984)

Fleet Air Arm Aircraft

Engineering & Transportation

Transportation

Air-Britain Historians Ltd

Royal Air Force Flying Training

Halley, James J.

Hamlin, John

Engineering

British Naval Aviation: The Fleet Air Arm, 1917-1990

Arms_Armour_Press

The History of Britain's Military Training Aircraft

The History of Britain's Military Training Aircraft (Foulis Aviation Book)

Politics & Social Sciences

Politics & Government

Motorbooks Intl

British Research and Development Aircraft: Seventy Years at the Leading Edge (A Foulis aviation book)

British Research and Development Aircraft: Seventy Years at the Leading Edge

Haynes Pub. Group

A history of British naval aviation from the infant days of the first landings on floating airstrips through naval air strategies in the Falklands War.

Naval_Institute_Press

Europe

Arms and Armour Press A&AP

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