THE SWORDFISH STORY
Prix régulier 39,00 € TTC 6%
Characteristics
| ISBN-13 | 9 781854 091222 |
| ISBN-10 | 1-85409-122-0 |
| Book cover finish(es) | Hardcover ( square back binding ) |
| Special Features |
Designed and edited by DAG Publications Ltd. Designed by David Gibbons; edited by Roger Chesneau; camerawork by M&E Reproductions, North Fambridge, Essex; printed and bound in Great Britain by The Bath Press, Avon. |
| Condition | Like NEW |
| Author(s) | Ray Sturtivant |
| Publisher | Arms and Armour Press |
| Number of pages |
256,
327 illustrations |
| Published date | 1993 |
| Language(s) | English |
| Size | 22 x 28 cm |
Description
The 'Stringbag' was one of the most remarkable aircraft of the Second World War, a relatively slow, biplane design in an age of monoplanes. But it outlived its supposed successor and earned legendary battle honours in so doing – Norway, the Bismarck attack, Taranto and the 'Channel Dash' operations.
For such a classic naval aircraft, it is only fitting that the author of this comprehensive study be Ray Sturtivant, whose many years of research and source discoveries in Fleet Air Arm history have made him uniquely qualified for this superb study. This is the story of Fairey's most famous aircraft, from design genesis through peacetime service, war action in many theatres to final retirement: a fantastic collection of facts and data are combined with ex-crew reminiscences to create a complete historical narrative. The illustrations are all genuine contemporary photographs culled from numerous sources with many never before published and telling their own story. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect in cementing this book as the definitive study are the appendixes – an epic feat of enthusiastic research. These include: full specifications for the variants of Swordfish; the names of all squadrons fully or partly equipped with Swordfish including RAF and RCAF users; an impressive directory of all known Swordfish losses; and a list of all individual aircraft histories – a staggering feat of meticulous detailed research.
The Swordfish was designed by the relatively small firm of Fairey as a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance aircraft in 1933. Official orders were placed despite the design's being already superseded by monoplane developments, and the concept clearly owed much to First World War influences. But it appeared just as German rearmament became more public, and it was seen as an obvious machine to meet Fleet Air Arm needs in any future war, so it entered full production. Although of biplane design and limited performance, the Swordfish endeared itself to its crews, being manoeuvrable and forgiving of errors. No 825 Squadron was the first to receive the type in July 1936. By the outbreak of war three years later, the Swordfish was the
