Swordfish Mk I - Revision history

U44629479: Edits

2024-07-28T15:43:36Z

Edits

U137389888 at 00:30, 27 July 2024

2024-07-27T00:30:18Z

U44629479: /* Media */ Added video

2024-01-05T21:09:41Z

‎Media: Added video

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-11-28T13:53:44Z

‎Description

U120313908: /* Descriptions */

2023-11-27T22:07:05Z

‎Descriptions

U118123450: /* Pros and cons */

2023-07-06T01:43:06Z

‎Pros and cons

U9202753: Specs-Card ArtImage Added

2023-03-04T05:10:45Z

Specs-Card ArtImage Added

U128413528: /* Description */

2023-01-13T22:16:54Z

‎Description

U44629479: Edits

2023-01-13T19:53:19Z

Edits

U128413528: /* Usage in battles */ Changed some of the voice and fixed some odd sentences

2023-01-13T19:30:08Z

‎Usage in battles: Changed some of the voice and fixed some odd sentences

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 == Usage in battles ==
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-The Swordfish is  largely confined to the early ranks, where it is moderately effective as a bomber. While it is slow and poorly armed, it is quite manoeuvrable and carries a decent payload. Therefore, it is strictly relegated to bombing and torpedo bombing. During ground realistic battles, the Swordfish can be great for accurately bombing enemy vehicles, but it will be a very easy target for SPAA, enemy fighters, and especially American tanks like the M2A2 or the Sherman 105. Therefore you must be careful and try to drop your bombs as quickly as possible before returning to base to rearm. Hanging around once your bombs are gone will quickly get you shot down. Pinpoint the target at a distance, drop the bombs and then escape before AA can respond. In this aircraft, it is advisable to fly low to use trees, hills, rocks, and other terrain features.
+The Swordfish is largely confined to the early ranks, where it is moderately effective as a bomber. While it is slow and poorly armed, it is quite manoeuvrable and carries a decent payload. Therefore, it is strictly relegated to bombing and torpedo bombing. During ground realistic battles, the Swordfish can be great for accurately bombing enemy vehicles, but it will be a very easy target for SPAA, enemy fighters, and especially American tanks like the M2A2 or the Sherman 105. Therefore you must be careful and try to drop your bombs as quickly as possible before returning to base to rearm. Hanging around once your bombs are gone will quickly get you shot down. Pinpoint the target at a distance, drop the bombs and then escape before AA can respond. In this aircraft, it is advisable to fly low to use trees, hills, rocks, and other terrain features.
 A good tactic is to fly at a distance from the fighting, keeping out of range of machine gun fire or worse. If an enemy starts to capture a capture points, one can swoop in and bomb the capture point, clearing it of any enemy vehicles. Not only does it benefit the team, but is also confirms an enemy target location. Circling over the combat area looking for targets is not a good idea. This is risky enough in faster, more nimble aircraft, so trying this in a big and slow biplane bomber is almost suicidal.
@@ Line 162: / Line 162: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Surprisingly good maneuverability and turn time, can out-turn most planes at rank
+* Surprisingly good manoeuvrability and turn time, can outturn most planes at rank
 * Good bomb load for its rank
 * Useful at downing vehicles in tank battles
@@ Line 177: / Line 177: @@
 * Quick speed loss in tight turns combined with slow speed means that you might be struggling to maintain a non-stall airspeed
 * Poor rate of climb
-* Vulnerable to tank MG's and even main cannons
+* Vulnerable to tank MGs and even main cannons
 * Offensive armament is virtually useless
 * Insufficient armament to efficiently fend off enemy planes
@@ Line 195: / Line 195: @@
 A single-engine biplane of mixed construction, the Fairey Swordfish was developed initially as a Torpedo Bomber/Spotter/Reconnaissance aircraft. The origins of the Swordfish lay in the TSR I prototype of 1933 which, after being lost in an accident, was replaced by the TSR II which first flew on April 17th 1934. The first order for 86 aircraft was placed in April 1935 and in July 1936 the first Swordfish entered service with 825 Naval Air Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm.
-The Swordfish Mk I was powered by a radial air-cooled Bristol Pegasus Mk IIIM engine and was equipped with one synchronised, fuselage-mounted 0.303 inch Vickers Mk.II machine gun and one 0.303 inch Lewis or Vickers 'K' machine gun in the Telegraphist Air Gunner's cockpit. The Swordfish Mk I could carry one 18 inch torpedo (731 kg), one sea mine (680 kg), three Mk VII depth charges or up to 1500 lbs (680 kg) of bombs underneath the fuselage and wings. Later variants could carry 60 lb rockets.
+The Swordfish Mk I was powered by a radial air-cooled Bristol Pegasus Mk IIIM engine and was equipped with one synchronised, fuselage-mounted 0.303 inch Vickers Mk.II machine gun and one 0.303 inch Lewis or Vickers K machine gun in the Telegraphist Air Gunner's cockpit. The Swordfish Mk I could carry one 18 inch torpedo (731 kg), one sea mine (680 kg), three Mk VII depth charges or up to 1500 lbs (680 kg) of bombs underneath the fuselage and wings. Later variants could carry 60 lb rockets.
 The Swordfish was normally crewed by three; the pilot, the observer and in the rearmost cockpit, the Telegraphist Air Gunner, or TAG. On some occasions the observer would be seated in the TAG's cockpit whilst an extra fuel tank was fitted in the observer's cockpit.
-As an open cockpit biplane with a fixed undercarriage and areas of fabric skin, the Swordfish was viewed by most as an anachronism and obsolete by the beginning of the Second World War. Nothing could be further from the truth; the Swordfish possessed stable, forgiving handling characteristics which made it ideally suited for naval operations from the unforgiving decks of aircraft carriers in rough seas or at night. With a low stall speed and an incredible agility for an aircraft of its size, the Swordfish could out turn most enemy fighters at slow speeds. It was a tough, robust aircraft capable of withstanding battle damage which would have destroyed many more 'modern' aircraft. It even outlasted its intended replacement, the Fairey Albacore.
+As an open cockpit biplane with a fixed undercarriage and areas of fabric skin, the Swordfish was viewed by most as an anachronism and obsolete by the beginning of the Second World War. Nothing could be further from the truth; the Swordfish possessed stable, forgiving handling characteristics which made it ideally suited for naval operations from the unforgiving decks of aircraft carriers in rough seas or at night. With a low stall speed and an incredible agility for an aircraft of its size, the Swordfish could out turn most enemy fighters at slow speeds. It was a tough, robust aircraft capable of withstanding battle damage which would have destroyed many more modern aircraft. It even outlasted its intended replacement, the Fairey Albacore.
-The Swordfish became immortalised in the annals of naval aviation history when, on the night of 11th-12th November 1940, when 21 Swordfish of 813 NAS, 815 NAS, 819 NAS and 824 NAS carried out a daring attack on the Italian port of Taranto, crippling three Italian battleships and causing significant damage to smaller warships and coastal installations. The attack would become the model for the Japanese Navy's strike on Pearl Harbour. Swordfish of 818 NAS also succeeded in crippling the steering gear of the German battleship 'Bismarck' allowing Royal Navy warships to destroy her. Perhaps the most tragic moment in the illustrious career of the Swordfish was when six aircraft of 825 NAS attacked the German warships 'Scharnhorst', 'Gneisenau' and 'Prinz Eugen' through a screen of anti aircraft fire and squadrons of German fighters. All six Swordfish were lost and their CO, Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, one of only four ever to be awarded to naval aviators.
+The Swordfish became immortalised in the annals of naval aviation history when, on the night of 11th-12th November 1940, when 21 Swordfish of 813 NAS, 815 NAS, 819 NAS and 824 NAS carried out a daring attack on the Italian port of Taranto, crippling three Italian battleships and causing significant damage to smaller warships and coastal installations. The attack would become the model for the Japanese Navy's strike on Pearl Harbour. Swordfish of 818 NAS also succeeded in crippling the steering gear of the German battleship Bismarck allowing Royal Navy warships to destroy her. Perhaps the most tragic moment in the illustrious career of the Swordfish was when six aircraft of 825 NAS attacked the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen through a screen of anti aircraft fire and squadrons of German fighters. All six Swordfish were lost and their CO, Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, one of only four ever to be awarded to naval aviators.
 After a career matched by no other naval strike aircraft in history, production of the Swordfish ceased in August 1944. A Swordfish carried out the last operational flight by a biplane in the Fleet Air Arm in June 1945, leaving only a few of Swordfish to carry out ancillary duties until the last disappeared from the Royal Navy's books in the 1950s. A total of 2,391 Swordfish were produced, 992 of which were from the Mk I series.

@@ Line 162: / Line 162: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Quite manoeuvrable
+* Surprisingly good maneuverability and turn time, can out-turn most planes at rank
 * Good bomb load for its rank
 * Useful at downing vehicles in tank battles
@@ Line 168: / Line 168: @@
 * One forward firing machine gun for taking out soft/light targets
 * One rear-facing machine gun that may prove itself useful
-* Like in real life, unlike most aircraft, it is easy to control at low speeds
+* Like in real life, unlike most aircraft, it is easy to control at low speeds; overall good low-speed performance
 * Engine cooling is great (does not overheat for a while even when on WEP)
 * Bombsight when using bombs allows for precise dropping of bombs

@@ Line 214: / Line 214: @@
 ;Videos
-{{Youtube-gallery|FiEXsMxd5rc|'''The Shooting Range #56''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:00 discusses the Swordfish.}}
+{{Youtube-gallery|9ZA722l1aG8|'''The Shooting Range #383''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:23 relates the capture of an island by a single Swordfish.|FiEXsMxd5rc|'''The Shooting Range #56''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 07:00 discusses the Swordfish.}}
 == See also ==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == Description ==
-<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was affectionately known as the "Stringbag" by the pilots, engineers and crews who operated her. Taking to the skies for the first time in 1934, the Swordfish was born into an era that ensured its time would be limited from its very conception, as just one year later in 1935, the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt BF 109 also made their debut. It was developed initially as a Torpedo Bomber/Spotter/Reconnaissance aircraft. It was powered by a radial air-cooled Bristol Pegasus Mk IIIM engine and was equipped with one synchronised, fuselage-mounted 0.303 inch Vickers Mk.II machine gun and one 0.303 inch Lewis or Vickers 'K' machine gun in the Telegraphist Air Gunner's cockpit. The Swordfish became immortalised in the annals of naval aviation history when, on the night of 11th-12th November 1940, when 21 Swordfish of 813 NAS, 815 NAS, 819 NAS and 824 NAS carried out a daring attack on the Italian port of Taranto, crippling three Italian battleships and causing significant damage to smaller warships and coastal installations.
+<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The Swordfish is a plane often overlooked by new players, but it is common for more experienced players to hold a special love for "ugly ducklings". As such, the Swordfish is valued for providing a change of pace towards slower gameplay and simultaneously a challenge, being mostly staying alive. As with all torpedo bombers, maintain low altitude and a high speed. The optimal distance for launching a torpedo is 1 km from the target, though the Swordfish is slow enough to be able to drop torpedoes efficiently from shorter distances. Targets should be engaged from directly ahead or astern, making "leading" the target much easier. If torpedo bombing is not an option, the plane can carry bombs for attacking ground targets.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 == Description ==
-<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
+<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was affectionately known as the "Stringbag" by the pilots, engineers and crews who operated her. Taking to the skies for the first time in 1934, the Swordfish was born into an era that ensured its time would be limited from its very conception, as just one year later in 1935, the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt BF 109 also made their debut. It was developed initially as a Torpedo Bomber/Spotter/Reconnaissance aircraft. It was powered by a radial air-cooled Bristol Pegasus Mk IIIM engine and was equipped with one synchronised, fuselage-mounted 0.303 inch Vickers Mk.II machine gun and one 0.303 inch Lewis or Vickers 'K' machine gun in the Telegraphist Air Gunner's cockpit. The Swordfish became immortalised in the annals of naval aviation history when, on the night of 11th-12th November 1940, when 21 Swordfish of 813 NAS, 815 NAS, 819 NAS and 824 NAS carried out a daring attack on the Italian port of Taranto, crippling three Italian battleships and causing significant damage to smaller warships and coastal installations.
-The Swordfish is a plane often overlooked by new players, but it is common for more experienced players to hold a special love for "ugly ducklings". As such, the Swordfish is valued for providing a change of pace towards slower gameplay and simultaneously a challenge, being mostly staying alive.
+It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. The Swordfish is a plane often overlooked by new players, but it is common for more experienced players to hold a special love for "ugly ducklings". As such, the Swordfish is valued for providing a change of pace towards slower gameplay and simultaneously a challenge, being mostly staying alive. As with all torpedo bombers, maintain low altitude and a high speed. The optimal distance for launching a torpedo is 1 km from the target, though the Swordfish is slow enough to be able to drop torpedoes efficiently from shorter distances. Targets should be engaged from directly ahead or astern, making "leading" the target much easier. If torpedo bombing is not an option, the plane can carry bombs for attacking ground targets.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 {{Specs-Card
 |code=swordfish_mk1
-|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 }}

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 [[File:BomberImage_Swordfish.jpg|thumbnail|right|Inside the Cockpit of the Swordfish]]
-A classic biplane design, thus offensive armament is limited. Restrained to only one machine gun offensively and defensively, the Swordfish's true strength is the payload.
+A classic biplane design, thus offensive armament is limited. Restrained to only one machine gun offensively and defensively, the Swordfish's true strength is its payload.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 143: / Line 143: @@
 == Usage in battles ==
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-For now, the use of the Swordfish is confined to the early ranks, where it is moderately effective as a bomber. While it is slow and poorly armed, it is quite manoeuvrable and carries a decent payload. Therefore, it is strictly relegated to bombing and torpedo bombing. During ground realistic battles, the Swordfish can be great for accurately bombing enemy vehicles, however, you will be a very easy target for SPAA and enemy fighters. Even tanks may try to shoot you down. Therefore you must be careful and try to drop your bombs as quickly as possible before returning to base to rearm. Hanging around once your bombs are gone will quickly get you shot down. Pinpoint your target at a distance, drop your bombs and then make your escape.
+The Swordfish is  largely confined to the early ranks, where it is moderately effective as a bomber. While it is slow and poorly armed, it is quite manoeuvrable and carries a decent payload. Therefore, it is strictly relegated to bombing and torpedo bombing. During ground realistic battles, the Swordfish can be great for accurately bombing enemy vehicles, but it will be a very easy target for SPAA, enemy fighters, and especially American tanks like the M2A2 or the Sherman 105. Therefore you must be careful and try to drop your bombs as quickly as possible before returning to base to rearm. Hanging around once your bombs are gone will quickly get you shot down. Pinpoint the target at a distance, drop the bombs and then escape before AA can respond. In this aircraft, it is advisable to fly low to use trees, hills, rocks, and other terrain features
-A good tactic is to fly at a distance from the fighting, keeping out of range of machine gun fire or worse. If an enemy starts to capture one of your capture points, you can then swoop in and bomb the capture point, clearing it of any enemy vehicles. This way you can be assured a target is available. Circling over the combat area looking for targets is not a good idea. This is risky enough in faster, more nimble aircraft, so in a big, slow biplane bomber, it is almost suicidal.
+A good tactic is to fly at a distance from the fighting, keeping out of range of machine gun fire or worse. If an enemy starts to capture a capture points, one can swoop in and bomb the capture point, clearing it of any enemy vehicles. Not only does it benefit the team, but is also confirms an enemy target location. Circling over the combat area looking for targets is not a good idea. This is risky enough in faster, more nimble aircraft, so trying this in a big and slow biplane bomber is almost suicidal.
-If you are intercepted by an enemy aircraft, your best option is to call for help. The Swordfish is by no means fast or manoeuvrable enough to escape from enemy fighters at the rank. Your rear gunner may be able to deter some more cautious players, but most players will shrug off the small calibre rounds. Therefore, you should not rely too much on the single 7.7 mm gunner. The same goes for the offensive 7.7 mm. Do not be tempted to start trying to dogfight with other aircraft, as you will quickly find yourself outgunned, outmanoeuvred and dead. Avoid enemy aircraft if possible.
+If intercepted by an enemy aircraft, the best option is to call for help. The Swordfish is by no means fast or manoeuvrable enough to escape from enemy fighters at the rank. The rear gunner may sometimes be able to deter some more cautious players, but most players will shrug off the small calibre rounds. Therefore, you should not rely too much on the single 7.7 mm gunner. The same goes for the offensive 7.7 mm. Do not be tempted to start trying to dogfight with other aircraft; one will quickly find themself outgunned, outmanoeuvred, and dead. Avoid enemy aircraft if possible.
 === Manual Engine Control ===