Navy

"Stringbag" Swordfish Returns To The Air

Following an intensive weekend of successful test flights and display work-ups, the oldest surviving Fairey Swordfish Mk 1 bi-plane in the world, which saw active service with the Royal Navy in the Second World War, has taken to the skies again for the first time since 2003.

Nicknamed

Built in 1941, Swordfish W5856 has undergone a lengthy rebuild but was finally restored to full flying condition with the support of a £200,000 grant from the Peter Harrison Heritage Foundation.

“To see this venerable and historic aircraft flying again 74 years after she was built is incredible” said Rear Admiral Tom Cunningham, Chairman of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust.

The Swordfish achieved some spectacular successes, including the famous crippling of the Bismarck.

Most of the work has been done by the small, dedicated team of engineers on the Royal Navy Historic Flight based at RNAS Yeovilton.

“Restoring a beautiful old aircraft to full flying condition with very limited resources is a great achievement” said Howard Read, Chief Engineer on the Flight.

“We are passionate about our heritage and it was a sheer joy to do.”

Speaking of the challenges of getting W5856 back in the air, Lieutenant Commander Chris Götke AFC Royal Navy, Commanding Officer of the Royal Navy Historic Flight said:

"We have had to overcome many difficulties along the way but problem solving and finding innovative solutions is very much the ethos of the Fleet Air Arm.

Chris, who recently converted to the Swordfish, described the thrill of flying such an iconic and rare aircraft.

“She is a 1930s design and the cockpit controls are in all manner of nooks and crannies... But what an absolute delight to fly!"

“The theatrics of starting her up and taxying out are probably the trickiest part, but once she is flying it is just amazing."

Swordfish W5856 is expected to take part in the VJ day celebrations in August.

The aircraft which was adopted by the City of Leeds in 1996 in tribute to the local companies who built Swordfish components during WW2 will also be re-dedicated in Leeds in September.