Owned and flown by Navy Wings, W5856 is the oldest surviving airworthy Fairey Swordfish in the world.
The aircraft first flew on Trafalgar Day (21 October) 1941 and was a “ Blackfish,” built by Blackburn Aircraft at Sherburn-in-Elmet and delivered to 82 MU (Lichfield) on 20 October 1941 for overseas transport to Gibraltar.
Originating in the early 1930s, the Swordfish, nicknamed “Stringbag,” was principally operated by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.
It was also used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), as well as several overseas operators, including the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
It was initially operated primarily as a fleet attack aircraft. During its later years, the Swordfish was increasingly used as an anti-submarine and training platform. The type was in frontline service throughout the Second World War.
Despite being a representation of early 1930s aircraft design and teetering on the edge of becoming outdated, the Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes during the war. Notable events included sinking one battleship and damaging two others of the Regia Marina (the Italian navy) during the Battle of Taranto, and the famous attack on the German battleship Bismarck, which contributed to her eventual demise. Swordfish sank a greater tonnage of Axis shipping than any other Allied aircraft during the war.
W5856 served with the Royal Navy’s Mediterranean Fleet for a year. Little is known of it’s role while on active Service in the Mediterranean but it is likely W5856 was based at North Front, Gibraltar, carrying out patrols over the Straits.
The Swordfish remained in front-line service until V-E Day, having outlived some of the aircraft intended to replace it.
