I understand that the Royal Navy Historic Flight has three Swordfish under reconstruction. A few questions:
– What became of the two that were flying? Are they under normal scheduled maintenance/rebuild? Or was there an incident with each of these, like blown engines?
– If they are both under scheduled repair, was it co-incidence that they were not staggered, so one was kept flying till the other repaired and vice versa?
– How far away are they all from flight, and what are the chances of seeing all three flying at the same time? Especially ojn a regualr basis and not a one-off photo shoot. Is this likely or will one be grounded as a reserve at all times?
– Do the three potential flyers have much significant wartime history? Did any of them take part in important raids, like Taranto, etc?
– Is there still one flying in Canada too?
– Any pictures of them, wheter flying or under their current repair?
By: stringbag - 17th November 2004 at 10:19
Mk.II LS326 has been grounded since 2000 with corrosion in the wing spars.
It is currently being repaired at the moment with BAE-Systems at Brough, when man-power permits. It will hopefully be flying again before the end of 2005.
The Mk.I W5856 unfortunately has the same problem and will be repaired in the future.
The rebuild of Mk.III NF389, is slowly coming along at Brough when man-power permits.
I’m sure the RNHF will fly all three together when they are able to do so – I can’t wait to see them.
By: JDK - 17th November 2004 at 09:56
Dave – as Mmitch’s suggested, go to the RNHF site. There’s two Canadian Swordfish airworthy, though only HS556 C-GEVS flies regularly, the other being in the care of the Shearwater Aviation Museum, now grounded. I did a Swordfish roundup for Warbird Digest Issue 2 (Just out) and if you have a look under www.warbirddigest.com you can find out how to get it, in exchange for coin.
There’s several Stringbags under restoration at the moment, including one for Malta (very exciting) but AFAIK none have famous war history, though LS326, the RNHF ‘original and Fairey’s own a/c was used on convoy protection and today wears best guess at its original markings.
HTH,
By: Dave Homewood - 17th November 2004 at 09:56
Thanks mmitch,
That’s an interesting link. Great stuff. I never realised before that the three aircraft represent three different Mk’s. That’s good.
By: mmitch - 17th November 2004 at 09:37
Dave, The Swordfish owned by the flight are detailed here.
http://www.flynavyheritage.org.uk/Aircraft.htm
One is under restoration by BA Systems. There has been a problem with corrosion I believe on the other two that were flying and they are being repaired.
I’m sure someone will be along shortly with the exact details. 🙂
mmitch.
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November 17, 2004 at 12:55 am