Corgi Aviation Archive Collector Series AA36301
Fairey Swordfish Mk I Diecast Model
RNFAA No.810 NAS, HMS Ark Royal, Bismark Sinking, 1941 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Fairey Swordfish Mk I | | 6" | | 7.75" |
The Fairey Swordfish, the legendary 'Stringbad', was a Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance biplane dive-bomber which went into service with the Fleet Air Arm pre-war in 1936. Initially, Swordfishes operated from the large fleet carriers. Later Swordfishes operated from escort carriers, and were very effective against U-boats. The nickname Stringbag indicated the versatility of the Swordfish, which could carry an unlikely combination of loads, but also referred to its jungle of bracing wires, which belonged to a past age. The Swordfish remained operational until the end of the war, gaining the distinction of being the last biplane to see active service. In May,, 1941, Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal played a central role in sinking the German battleship Bismarck. On 24 May, 1941 the new carrier HMS Victorious launched nine Swordfish to intercept the Bismarck in the North Atlantic Ocean, but with bad weather conditions the aircraft only scored a single hit. On 26 May 1941, 15 Swordfish were launched by the carrier HMS Ark Royal, but attacked the British cruiser Sheffield by mistake, but later in the day 15 Swordfish were launched into a storm carrying torpedoes armed with contact detonators, they scored two hits on the German battleship: one did no damage, but the other struck the Bismarck's steering gear. None of the aircraft were lost in the attack, though a German officer said, " It was incredible to see such obsolete-looking planes having the nerve to attack a fire-spitting mountain like the Bismarck." The Bismarck was sunk by gunfire from the Royal Navy Fleet the next day.
This spotter-reconnaissance aircraft, built by the Fairey Aviation Company for the British Royal Navy, was first flown on February 22nd, 1934. Nicknamed "Stringbag" after a housewife's string shopping bag, the Swordfish could carry an unlikely combination of loads. It could lift off a carrier deck with a standard torpedo, although this made it vulnerable to fighter attack. Its low speed and stable stance made it easy to line up for a torpedo attack, as it did against the German Bismark and on the Italian naval base at Taranto, where 21 Swordfish destroyed three battleships, a cruiser, two destroyers and other warships. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Corgi's 1:72 scale Swordfish series demonstrates this aircraft's versatility. Each release highlights its roles as a spotter-reconnaissance aircraft and a torpedo-bomber. One of the most impressive features of this model is its replicated folding wings, a feature uncommon in 1:72 scale. The wings are both pinned and keyed to insure proper alignment when fully deployed. Fine gauge wire is used to recreate the structurally significant bracing wires found between the wings and on the horizontal stabilizer. The open cockpit allows for easy viewing of the three-man crew, correctly poised for action with pivoting machine gun at the rear.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Corgi "Aviation Archive" range presents highly-detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. The vast Aviation Archive range has become the standard by which all other diecast airplane ranges are judged. Each Corgi model is based on a specific aircraft from an important historical or modern era of flight, and has been authentically detailed from original documents and archival library material. Famous airplanes and aviators from both military and commercial airline aviation are all honored.
Corgi "Aviation Archive" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear with rotating wheels.
- Poseable presention stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Many limited editions with numbered certificate of authenticity.
- Detailed, hand-painted pilot and crew member figures.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
- Selected interchangeable features such as speed-brakes, opened canopies and access panels.
- Selected moving parts such as gun turrets, control surfaces and swing-wings.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
