Swordfish To Lead VJ Day Flypast

The whirr of propellers will fill the skies above London on Saturday as a 1941 Royal Navy Swordfish Mk1 leads the VJ Day flypast.

Commemorating the 70th Anniversary of Victory over Japan, the aircraft is the oldest surviving example of its type and played a crucial role in protecting Allied shipping from marauding U-boats during the Second World War.

Indeed Swordfish W5856 was responsible for crippling the mighty Bismarck in the Northern Atlantic just weeks after entering service.

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Fleet Air Arm Squadrons flying from aircraft carriers were also instrumental in the defeat of Japan in the closing months of the war.

Veteran Firefly pilot Donald Randle eloquently described their role, "We were flying intensive strikes on the Japanese mainland.. Anti-aircraft fire was fierce. Our sister carrier HMS Indefatigable was also coming under Kamikaze attacks."

"We were preparing to attack some of the most heavily defended targets in Tokyo when the Japanese surrendered. I wasn't looking forward to dodging balloon cables as well - and am very glad we didn't have to."

"I will feel extremely proud watching the swordfish lead the flypast. She symbolises our great carrier aviation heritage. I will also think of my brother, who had a terrible war in Burma."

Skimming the rooftops of the capital at 2pm on Saturday the Swordfish will be joined by a Dakota, a Hurricane and a Typhoon.