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Info from tonight's show:
Subject Seeking with Mitch Baker
Fairey Swordfish
British torpedo bomber biplane. Flew throughout WWII. First flown in 1934. It was noted that it didnt look very sturdy even for the standards of that era. These aircraft were fabric covered metal. They were slow, very maneuverable, easy to maintain and very reliable. Known by its crews at Stringbag due to the variety of stores and equipment it was cleared to carry. Like a string shopping bag of the time. Even thought it was outdated by 1939 the Swordfish outlived several other designs which were to replace it. The Swordfish is most noted for disabling the Bismarck allowing for it to be sunk but Royal Navy in 41 but in 1940 during the battle of Taranto the swordfish was responsible for sinking 3 Italian battleships and a cruiser. The low speed and low alt. required for torpedo drop may have been what saved it during the attack on the Bismarck. Many of the Bismarck weapons could not depress low enough to track the incoming aircraft. They few from true carriers, grain ships and tankers converted to carriers, and some were even fitted with floats and used off catapult launches. The MkII model, introduced in 43 was strengthened and has metal skinned lower wings to allow for rockets. By the end of its production in 44 the full range of duties included torpedo-bomber, minelayer, convoy escort, anti-sub warfare and training craft. Of the aprox 2300 produced only 4 are known to be flying today.
For the scratch builder this is a dream aircraft. Not much is there for plans. I did find reference to Robert Caso plans.
Traplet also has plans for a 60 version.
Aero Graphics also put out a small FF version which could be and has been converted to R/C
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__________________ Mike Chilson,
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My R/C Scale Aircraft Over The Years
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