The Swordfish evolved from the prototype Fairey TSR.II (Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance), designed by Marcel Lobelle and HE Chaplin of the Fairey Aviation Company Ltd., first flew in 1934 and entered service with No.825 Squadron in 1936. In all, 2391 aircraft were built, the first 692 machines by Fairey Aviation and the remainder under licence by Blackburn Aircraft Company at their works at Sherburn-in-Elmet and Brough, Yorkshire. In service the Blackburn-built aircraft became unofficially known as "Blackfish". Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this very distinguished aircraft was its longevity.

Although by all normal standards it was already obsolete at the outbreak of WW2, it confounded everyone by remaining in operational service throughout the whole of the war, and thereby gained the distinction of being the last British bi-plane to see active service. Indeed, it outlasted its intended replacement, the Albacore, which disappeared from front-line service in 1943.

The Royal Navy Historic Flight are the guardians of the Fleet Air Arm’s proud history, upholding the memory of naval aviators by keeping vintage aircraft airborne.

• Object Name: VL120257056
• Organization: ROYAL NAVY
• Supplemental Categories: Equipment, Aircraft, Historical Aircraft
• Keywords: swordfish, historic, flight, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, Equipment, Aircraft
• Country: UK