Hi again,further to my comments left on discovering this site I have given the subject some more thought (40 years on)The Fairey Swordfish was 5A, The Test Pilots name was Mc something I think and the CPO (CAF A/E) was Caffrey I think.It would be lovely to hear anything about the lads, I have since read all about 5A LS326,I never knew its history!!! A second aircraft of mine, Wessex 3 XM328 1969 737 sqadron & HMS Antrim is also preserved in a museum in Somerset, type in Wessex XM328 and check out its history,you can also buy a model of it, cool! Cheers

As a young NAM(A/E)Naval Air mechanic (airframes and engines)stationed at "Heron Flight" RNAS Yeovilton 1967-68 I was selected to join a small crew of four to rebuild the Pegasus radial engine and prepare the old "Fairey Swordfish " laying in the corner of the hanger.The crew consisted of "HMS HERON"s Test Pilot, a LT CDR (I only knew him as "Sir" of course)though he was very friendly and an engineer,CPO (A/E)McCaffrey, LAM (A/E)Steve Redwing and myself.Sir would come and go in between test flights on Sea Vixens,Venoms,Hunters and almost anything else that came into Yeovilton and needed repair and test prior to leaving;He would take away parts for repair and assist on rebuild.CPO McCaffrey was the Co-ordinator and kept the A700 log book up together as well as hands on work. Steve Redwing and I did all the basic mechanics with Steve being more qualified than me with my QM & QS status. Once all the work was completed we ground tested before test flying with Sir flying of course,the CPO as observer and Steve Redwing rear gunner/radio operator. The aircraft landed and we set to work on refuel and checks, then "Sir" fitted me up with biggles style leather cap and gloves, goggles, Biggles flying jacket with harness,overalls and boots and gave me the following instructions...You are to raise and lower deckhook on my instructions, stand and shoot the crowds with the machine gun and should we encounter a problem, on my command, you remove the parachute from its stowage (left side of cockpit) connect to harness,stand up and jump!!! I never had to jump, we took off very quickly, just lifted, and it was an experience that I did not then realise just how lucky I was to have.Cheers

my father roy nichols (bristol) was a tag on the old swordfish,always
called it the string bag,he told us of lifting a plate for protection (i assume.)does this make any sence to you he would have served from about 1942 onwards
after seeing the swordfih at rnas yeovilton mueseum we could not see a plate that would have droped down could you shed some light for us please
many thanks sue (daughter)

Cruising speed was 85knots. The Swordfish was the most efficient (at its job) combat aircraft I flew during WW2. It was also the most delightful. It flew like a bird. It leaped off the ground at take-off, carried a huge load, responded to the controls quickly and smoothly, and landed on a carrier gently. Why they ever tried to replace it I can't imagine - Taranto alone, justified every penny spent on it. They never produced anything better.

Where do the publishers get their speed information from? All the figures are rubbish; certainly fictitious!

I am currently the only female in the world doing the fabric restoration on a Swordfish for static display. I feel so privileged to be doing this work on such an incredible piece of history. I am in awe of the size of this aircraft and find it hard to grasp that it could ever possibly fly.