Fairey Swordfish Mk.I

[Paul A H]

Fairey Swordfish Mk.I

1:72 Airfix

Of the hundreds of types that saw service during World War II, the Fairey Swordfish was one of the handful of aircraft that can be said to have passed from history into legend. The ungainly fabric-covered biplane flew in for the first time in 1934 and entered squadron service with the Fleet Air Arm in 1936. Designed as a torpedo bomber and spotter-reconnaissance aircraft, the Swordfish was also used for other roles such as anti-submarine warfare. Despite its antiquated appearance, it was still in squadron service at the time of Germany’s capitulation in May 1945.

Nicknamed the ‘Stringbag’ because of the wide range of loads it could carry, the list of key actions the Swordfish was involved in is the stuff of legend. It took part in the attack on Taranto Harbour and played a key role in the destruction of the German battleship Bismarck. Engagements such as these demonstrated not only the tough, dependable qualities of the Swordfish, but also the professionalism and bravery of the crews that flew them, often in the face of heavy losses.

Packed into the surprisingly large top-opening box are four sprues of grey plastic and a single, small clear sprue. Together they hold a total of 125 parts. The sprues are cleanly moulded with reasonably fine attachment points. A quick examination of the sprues reveals that the level of detail Airfix have achieved with this kit, both in terms of moulding and engineering, is outstanding. The panel lines, few that they are on a Swordfish, are reasonably subtle. Airfix have also taken great care to achieve a realistic stretched fabric texture on the flying surfaces and fuselage, and they have done so very successfully.

It’s clear that Airfix have pushed the boat out with this kit and it looks as though it has been designed with the enthusiast in mind. The interior is made up of no fewer than eighteen parts including the internal framework structure, crew positions, a beautifully detailed radio, a moveable Lewis gun for the aft cockpit (along with spare magazines) and the forward-firing Vickers gun. The only slight downside is that the instrument panel detail is represented by a decal. This is an odd choice as the radio set features some lovely moulded detail, but that aside this is one of the best cockpits I’ve seen in a 1:72 scale model.

The detail-fest doesn’t end once the fuselage halves and floor have been fixed together. The oil cooler that is a prominent feature of the starboard front fuselage is superbly detailed, as is the engine and cowling. The cowling itself is made up of a four parts. This may seem a little over-engineered to some, but as mentioned above this kit seems to have been designed for enthusiasts and so fewer shortcuts have been made at the expense of detail.

Moving onto the flying surfaces, it is clear that Airfix haven’t made any compromises here either. The elevators and the rudder are all fully poseable and feature nice hinge detail. The tailplane strut is moulded in one piece for ease of assembly, although this has left it with a small sink mark on the underside, albeit in a very easy place to fill). The kit can be finished with wings extended or folded. This is where Airfix’s clever design really comes into its own. The interplane struts are joined at the bottom so that the parts form a square ‘U’ shape. The horizontal part that helps align the vertical struts is then partly hidden between the upper and lower halves of the upper wing. This method of construction ensures that everything joins up at the correct angles and the finished model should have more strength as a result.

If you decide to build your Swordfish with the wings unfolded, a separate spar must be inserted in the centre wing section. If you want to build your Swordfish with wings folded, this spar is omitted and the two jigs that can be seen on the sprue above are used to align the wing sections while they are glued together. This makes a complex stage of construction as simple as possible for all those biplane phobics out there (and I count myself amongst them).

Plenty of choice is provided when it comes to ordnance, including bombs, a flare, an auxiliary fuel tank (as carried on the Taranto raid) and an air-launched torpedo. Airfix have even included a ground handling trolley/jack for the torpedo.

Two options are included on the decal sheet:

• K8393/E5A as flown by Captain Oliver Patch RN and Lieutenant David G. Goodwin RN, No.824 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, HMS Eagle, Operation Judgement against the Italian fleet at Taranto, Italy on the night of the 11th/12th November 1940. This is the aircraft featured on the box artwork; or

• K8499, No. 820 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Courageous, March 1939. This aircraft is finished in the pre-war scheme of natural metal/silver dope.

The decals, printed by Cartograf, look excellent.

Conclusion

Airfix’s final release of 2011 sees them end the year with a real bang. This feature-rich kit should please even the most detail hungry modeller, although the inclusion of jigs and other clever tricks to aid alignment of the wings help ensure that the kit doesn’t alienate the casual modeller either. This is a superb kit of which Airfix can justifiably be proud. I can’t wait to see what they come up with in 2012.

Review sample courtesy of

[AAbshier]

I'm thinking of getting one to go with my Revell Gannet! That looks like a great kit.

Andy

[Richard E]

I picked one up yesterday and it's an excellent little kit, hopefully Airfix will be going from strength to strength if this is the bench mark for their future releases.

Could be an interesting challenge as I've never built a biplane before and I have a strange urge to finish it in one of the colourful pre-war schemes.

[heloman1]

It looks like a great kit form h epics above, I wouldn't mind one myself. I can attest to the quality of the Cartagraph decals, I've just been decaling the Harrier GR7A today and they went on without a hitch and using the minimal of Future to set them down.

Nice one Airfix.

Colin on the Africa Station

[Julien]

This must be a popular kit for Airfix.

At least 2 online retailers I have tried are out of stock.

I want one

Julien

[crookedmouth]

Just ordered this from Model Hobbies (on Saturday). Surprised that there doesn't appear to be any crew fgures - that's not like Airfix, is it? Rigging her could be a lot of fun

[gengriz]

Started mine over the weekend. Really fantastic kit; I have 2 to build and can see several more being "needed".

Has anyone else had difficulty with the lower fuselage? I'm sure I got the cockpit in the right position, but the lower port side of the fuselage just won't join the fuselage sides.

Time for some filler, not a problem, but it would be nice to know where I went wrong for the next one!

FredT

[crookedmouth]

Is it possible to construct this without the upper surfaces of the upper wings and lower surfaces of the lower wings attached? I ask because I was wondering if it was a way of hiding the rigging attachment points between the wing halves...

Edit: And is anyone doing a WiP at the mo'?

Edited January 17, 2012 by crookedmouth

[Paul A H]

Is it possible to construct this without the upper surfaces of the upper wings and lower surfaces of the lower wings attached? I ask because I was wondering if it was a way of hiding the rigging attachment points between the wing halves...

Edit: And is anyone doing a WiP at the mo'?

I think so, yes. That's actually a very good idea - I like your style! You might have to undertake a bit of surgery here and there, I'm not sure and I don't have my kit to hand so I can't check. Who knows, it might create more work, but I'm pretty sure it could be done. The jig included in the kit will help you get your wings straight and true anyway.

[crookedmouth]

I think so, yes. That's actually a very good idea - I like your style! You might have to undertake a bit of surgery here and there, I'm not sure and I don't have my kit to hand so I can't check. Who knows, it might create more work, but I'm pretty sure it could be done. The jig included in the kit will help you get your wings straight and true anyway.

Gosh! I had a good 'un today then! The kit's just too nice for me to bodge it with my usual shoddy rigging and I pulled off something like it with my 1/48 Antonov 2. If I remember correctly, I threaded the rigging thru the bottom wing & closed that off first then attached the underside of the top wing, rigged it up and then slapped on the top surface.

In course, that was all in 48 scale!

[Richard M]

Is it possible to construct this without the upper surfaces of the upper wings and lower surfaces of the lower wings attached? I ask because I was wondering if it was a way of hiding the rigging attachment points between the wing halves...

Edit: And is anyone doing a WiP at the mo'?

Yes, the lower surfaces of the upper wings can be attached to the wing spar from the centre section, which will hold them in place. The upper surfaces of the lower wing can then be attached to the struts and the wing fold.

I'm building one at the moment, I'm doing the upper wings and lower wings as sub-units of the build and will paint and decal them before attaching them. Likewise the engine is another sub-assembley which will be built and attached once painted.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/about30854.html

Edited January 17, 2012 by Richard M

[crookedmouth]

Yes, the lower surfaces of the upper wings can be attached to the wing spar from the centre section, which will hold them in place. The upper surfaces of the lower wing can then be attached to the struts and the wing fold.

I'm building one at the moment, I'm doing the upper wings and lower wings as sub-units of the build and will paint and decal them before attaching them. Likewise the engine is another sub-assembley which will be built and attached once painted.

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/about30854.html

Richard - that looks like a very useful Wip - thank you. I'm not a member over there, but I will be lurking!

[Richard M]

Cheers, it's a cracking little kit, pleasure to build. Here's a shot of the wing spar, with the upper surface attached, you could easily do it the other way around.

[crookedmouth]

Cheers, it's a cracking little kit, pleasure to build. Here's a shot of the wing spar, with the upper surface attached, you could easily do it the other way around.

I am just being lazy now, but are there any clues about the rigging scheme in the kit (other than the box top)? Were you planning on rigging the kit yourself?

[Richard M]

I was going to rig it, but my weapon of choice is Aeroclub Lycra rigging thread attached with cyano. I've got the Squadron/Signal Aviation in Action Fairey Swordfish to work from, there isn't anything included with the kit.

[Julien]

I am just being lazy now, but are there any clues about the rigging scheme in the kit (other than the box top)? Were you planning on rigging the kit yourself?

As these are pocket money type kits I would not expect a rigging diagram. Matchbox kits etc never had diagrams.

Julien

[crookedmouth]

As these are pocket money type kits I would not expect a rigging diagram. Matchbox kits etc never had diagrams.

Julien

You may be right but to call a kit of this calibre a "pocket mooney kit" doesn't do it justice.

[Enzo the Magnificent]

I received mine today. It's a thing of joy and beauty!

[Julien]

Cool looks like Airfix imported more of these as its now available to buy again!

Julien

[Berwickboy]

Airfix include an extra internal fuel tank but do not mention this in the instructions, I presume it fits into the rear cockpit and think it was used during he Taranto raid. Can anybody confirm this please.

[Seahawk]

Airfix include an extra internal fuel tank but do not mention this in the instructions, I presume it fits into the rear cockpit and think it was used during he Taranto raid. Can anybody confirm this please.

Swordfishes had two alternative long-range tank configurations: one a tank fitted to the torpedo crutches and the other a tank ("basically just an aluminium alloy barrel strapped to the observer's seat ... it had a vent in the top which sprayed petrol in the observer's face on take-off" ) in the rear cockpit (the navigator took over the Telegraphist/Air Gunner's position). Sturtivant (British Naval Aviation: the Fleet Air Arm 1917-1990) says that all aircraft carried long-range tanks (and, incidentally, that no TAGs were carried). It seems logical to conclude that the torpedo aircraft used the internal tank while the bombers used the external tank. I'm fairly sure I've read somewhere that the flaredroppers (2 aircraft in each wave carrying more flares but fewer bombs) used the under-fuselage tank.

BTW Sturtivant gives the load of E5A, the aircraft chosen by Airfix, as 6 x 250lb SAP bombs and 1 parachute flare, which is exactly what Airfix show.

The internal tank will be of course used in the Bismarck boxing of this kit.