Seafires in FAA service pre 1940?

The Swordfish was the equal of any carrier-based torpedo plane when it came into service. The problem was the FAA wasn't able to field a replacement. A lot of the planes it keeps getting conpared against entered service 4-5 years later.

And the Seafire was, while not designed for a carrier, a very useful aircraft. The short range wasnt such an issue as it was used as an interceptor.
 
You're missing the point I was making, that by 1937 the Fleet Air Arm should have been retiring it's last Bi-Plane Combat aircraft not introducing new ones.
Could the Barracuda have operated from CVEs in all weathers? That's where the Swordfish and Albacore excelled, helping to win the Battle of the Atlantic. IMO, powerful lend lease TSRs like the Tarpon may have done well on the CVEs, but the Barracuda, as the Merlin-powered monoplane replacement for the Swordfish would have trouble on CVEs.

Just look at the long takeoff run here.

 
Last edited:
Definitely the Roc, what goods an aircraft designed to fly along side the enemy to shoot them down when the enemy are all at least 60mph faster than its top speed. I'm going to be controversial here as the aircraft is more of a symptom of what was wrong and performed wonders despite its limitations but the Fairey Swordfish should never have entered service. It was obsolete when it first flew and by the time it entered service the Americans had the all metal monoplane Devestator entering service and the Japanese had started production of the B5N Kate.

Comparing the Douglas Devastator and the Fairy Swordfish doesnt show much of a difference

Max speed, 206mph against 145mph
crusing speed with a torpedo, 128mph against 125mph
range with a torpedo, 435 miles against 525miles
service ceiling, 19,000ft against 16,500ft
climbing rate, 720 fpminute against 870 fpminute
max bombing angle, 30 degrees against vertical (but usually 70 degrees)
warload, 1x 1,900lb MkXIII torpedo or 1,000lb of bombs against 1x 1,600lb MkXII torpedo or 1,500lb of bombs or a 1,500lb mine.
crew comfort, good against wear plenty of warm clothing.

Apart from maximum speed and the Swordfish crew getting lots of bracing fresh air I cant really see much difference.
 
Top