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Swordfish Aviation Art


Aviation Art Prints Countries UK Aircraft Index More Aircraft Initial M to S Swordfish

[UP] - Manchester - Martinsyde G.100 - Maryland - Master - Merlin - Meteor - Mew Gull - Mohawk - Morane Saulnier Type L - Mustang - Nieuport 10 - Nieuport 17 - Nieuport Scout - Nimrod - Phantom - RE8 - S6B - Saro SR45 Princess - Saro SR53 - Saro SRA1 - Scout - SE5a - Sea Fury - Sea Harrier - Sea King - Sea Otter - Sea Vixen - Seafire - Sentry - Shackleton - Short 184 - Skua - Snipe - Sopwith 1.5 Strutter - Sopwith Pup - Sopwith Tabloid - Sopwith Triplane - Spearfish - Stirling - Sunderland - Swift - Swordfish

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Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.


Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.
4 of 5 editions available.
The one edition featuring an additional signature is available.
£9.00 - £200.00

HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson.


HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson.
8 editions.
£2.20 - £3000.00

Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor.


Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor.
One of 2 editions available.
Both editions feature 2 additional signatures.
£125.00


Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P)


Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P)
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£390.00

The Channel Dash - Swordfish Attack by Jason Askew. (P)


The Channel Dash - Swordfish Attack by Jason Askew. (P)
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£500.00

Swordfish Strike on U-451 by Jason Askew. (P)


Swordfish Strike on U-451 by Jason Askew. (P)
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£550.00


Against All Odds - Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.


Against All Odds - Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.
9 of 10 editions available.
All 2 editions featuring up to 3 additional signatures are available.
£2.20 - £600.00

Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear.


Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear.
One edition.
£10.00

Bismarck Survivor by Jason Askew. (P)


Bismarck Survivor by Jason Askew. (P)
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£500.00


To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson.


To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson.
One edition.
£180.00

Viceless Lady by Ivan Berryman. (GS)


Viceless Lady by Ivan Berryman. (GS)
2 editions.
£2.70 - £400.00

Safe Return by Ivan Berryman.


Safe Return by Ivan Berryman.
4 editions.
£9.00 - £750.00


Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West.


Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West.
2 editions.
Both editions feature up to 4 additional signatures.
£150.00 - £155.00

Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.


Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.
7 editions.
2 of the 7 editions feature an additional signature.
£50.00 - £1400.00

Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders


Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders
6 of 7 editions available.
£2.20 - £400.00


Operation Judgement by Philip West.


Operation Judgement by Philip West.
2 editions.
Both editions feature up to 4 additional signatures.
£130.00 - £150.00

Out of Alex by David Pentland.


Out of Alex by David Pentland.
5 editions.
£2.20 - £400.00

Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman.


Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman.
3 of 4 editions available.
£2.70 - £400.00


Bismarck by Ivan Berryman.


Bismarck by Ivan Berryman.
10 of 11 editions available.
All 3 editions featuring up to 4 additional signatures are available.
£2.20 - £500.00

Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West.


Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West.
3 editions.
All 3 editions feature an additional signature.
£75.00 - £170.00

The Channel Dash - Prinz Eugen. (P)


The Channel Dash - Prinz Eugen. (P)
One edition.
The edition features 2 additional signature(s).
£500.00


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Text for the above items :

Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.

Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously. The painting depicts the first wave of Swordfish attacking the Scharnhorst with Gneisenau taking avoiding action in the distance. A German torpedo boat has turned to confront the attacking aircraft.


HMS Courageous by Randall Wilson.

Two Stringbags (Fairey Swordfish) pass across the bow of HMS Courageous as she staggers from torpedo strikes launched from a German U-Boat in the Irish Sea. On 17th September 1939 HMS Courageous was struck by two torpedoes from the German submarine U-29 about 190 nautical miles south-west of Dursey Head, Ireland. HMS Courageous sank in less than 16 minutes with the loss of 519 lives, including her commander Captain W T Makeig-Jones. Her total complement was 1,260 officers and ratings and two squadrons of Fairey Swordfish aircraft (48 planes). The sinking of the HMS Courageous was the first U-boat offensive against the Royal Navy, and more importantly, Schuhart's victory prompted the Admiralty to withdraw all three remaining carriers from the Western Approaches.


Swordfish Attack at Taranto by Robert Taylor.

On November 11, 1940 a group of 21 slow, outdated Swordfish biplanes attacked and crippled the Italian Fleet in the heavily defended port of Taranto. One of the most daring raids of World War II captured in this print for posterity.


Swordfish Attack on U-652 by Jason Askew. (P)

On 2nd June 1942 U-652 was scuttled after sustaining heavy damage from an attack by Swordfish aircraft. All the crew of the submarine were safe as she was sunk by torpedoes from U-81.


The Channel Dash - Swordfish Attack by Jason Askew. (P)

The German ships Prinz Eugen, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau are attacked by Swordfish torpedo bombers during The Channel Dash. None of the aircraft would return to base on this mission.


Swordfish Strike on U-451 by Jason Askew. (P)

U-451 was sunk on 21st December 1941 near Tangiers, in position 35.55N, 06.08W, by depth charges from a British Swordfish aircraft (Sqdn. 812/A). There was just one survivor from the crew of 45.


Against All Odds - Attack on the Scharnhorst by Ivan Berryman.

Swordfish of 825 Sqn led by Lt-Cdr Esmonde begin their heroic attack on the battlescruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as they make their way up the English Channel from Brest during Operation Cerberus on 12th February 1942. Although all the aircraft were lost and no significant damage was done to the German fleet, all the pilots were decorated for their bravery and Lt-Cdr Esmonde received the first Fleet Air Arm VC to be awarded, albeit posthumously.


Fairey Swordfish Mk I W5984 H. by M A Kinnear.

Aircraft History: W5984 was built by Blackburn Aircraft Ltd at Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds and was delivered to 825 Squadron 1st January 1942. The aircraft was crewed by Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde DSO (Pilot) Lieutenant W H Williams (Observer) and Leading Airman W J Clinton (Telegraphist/ Air Gunner) Sadly on 12th February 1942, W5984 was shot down over the English Channel whilst leading Operation Fuller, the attack against the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. All three crew were killed.

Lieutenant Commander Eugene Esmonde VC DSO: Born 1st March 1909 in Ireland, Esmonde joined the Royal Air Force in 1928 as a fighter pilot. He left the RAF in 1933 and joined Imperial Airways, flying passengers, mail and freight to Australia and the Far East. In January 1939 he was offered a commission in the Fleet Air Arm as a Lieutenant Commander of 825 squadron. On 23rd May 1941, Esmonde led his squadron on a search for the Bismarck. After locating the target, he led 825 into the attack. Flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, one of 825s torpedoes hit the Bismarck amidships. For his courage and skill Esmonde was awarded the DSO. On 12th February 1942, 825 took off from RAF Manston to attack the German ships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, in the English Channel. Despite heavy anti aircraft fire, and ferocious attacks by enemy fighters, the six Swordfish bravely pressed home their attack, but all 6 were shot down. Out of a total of 18 aircrew only five survived, four of whom were wounded. Esmondes aircraft was seen crashing in flames into the sea. His body was later found washed ashore at the mouth of the River Medway, April 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.


Bismarck Survivor by Jason Askew. (P)

Captured in portrait is one of the survivors of the sinking of the mighty German battleship Bismarck, Bruno Rzonca, set against the scene of a Swordfish aircraft attacking the ship.


To Sink the Bismarck by Gerald Coulson.

It is 7.15pm on 25th May 1941. The place, North Atlantic. The mission to find and sink the massive German warship Bismarck. The weather was very bad and worsening noticeably with storm force winds, rain squalls and increasingly heavy seas. With seemingly impossible flying conditions, Ark Royal launched its second strike of the day of fifteen swordfish, four each from 810 and 818 squadrons and seven from 820 squadron. Coming under intense fire the pilots came in very low and close and dropped their torpedo on the target. Eventually the Bismarck's fate was sealed by the guns of the Home Fleet.


Viceless Lady by Ivan Berryman. (GS)

A Fairey Swordfish launches from the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in 1939. HMS Eagle would later fall victim to German U-boat U-73 on 11th August 1942.


Safe Return by Ivan Berryman.

The pilot of a Fairey Swordfish MKII guides his aircraft towards the landing ramp of HMS Victorious following a sortie in the Mediterranean Sea 1940


Operation Cerberus - The Channel Dash by Philip West.

The Channel Dash (officially known as Operation Cerberus) was one of three operations during the Second World War for which the Swordfish was to become the most famous. Heavily outgunned in the Straits of Dover on this day in February 1942 by the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats, and with top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe, all six Fleet Air Arm Swordfish were shot down. Only five of the eighteen aircrew survived. Here we see the Swordfish flown by Sub. Lt. Kingsmill and Sub. Lt. Samples with PO Bunce in the rear, fighting for their lives with his machine gun.


Sink the Bismarck by Geoff Lea.

Shows the action on 26th May 1941 by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal on the German battleship Bismarck. Fresh from her triumphant encounter with HMS Hood, Bismarck was struck by Swordfishs torpedo which jammed her rudder and was finished off by the home fleet on 27th May 1941.


Raid on Taranto by Anthony Saunders

The balance of maritime power in the Mediterranean was transformed at a stroke by the British air attack which disabled three Italian battleships in a few minutes. The target was the core of Mussolinis fleet, tucked away in Taranto Harbour, in southern Italy. The attack, codenamed Operation Judgement, took place in bright moonlight by twenty-one Swordfish from the British carrier HMS Illustrious. In the confined space of the harbour, their torpedoes had a devastating impact, at least nine torpedoes struck their targets. In all, seven ships were severely damaged, including the battleship Caio Duilio (left), Littorio (right) and Conte Di Cavour.


Operation Judgement by Philip West.

The attack on Taranto was the first major victory for naval air power in the world and blueprint for the strike on Pearl Harbor. The Fleet Air Arm played an active part in the fight against the Axis forces in the Mediterranean. Their greatest achievement was the strike against the Italian Fleet at Taranto, 11 November 1940 by four Fleet Air Arm squadrons and 40 or so men who carried out this daring raid. In this picture we see the Swordfish flown by Lt. FMA Torrense-Spence and Lt. AWF Sutton, having just released its torpedo.


Out of Alex by David Pentland.

A swordfish from HMS Warspite on patrol off the coast of Egypt, near the port of Alexandria.


Sea Wings by Ivan Berryman.

A pair of Fairey Swordfish Mk1s of 812 Sqn peel away above the pride of the Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal, during a pre-war exercise in British waters. L9781 is nearest with L7672 in the background


Bismarck by Ivan Berryman.

Fairey Swordfish I, L9726 4M of 818 Sqn, HMS Ark Royal pulls a tight, climbing turn through a hail of anti-aircraft fire as its torpedo strikes home, jamming the steering gear of the mighty Bismarck and setting in motion the beginning of her dramatic end.


Channel Dash Heroes by Philip West.

The Straits of Dover, 12th February 1942. Sub Lieutenant Edgar Lee helps his badly wounded pilot, Sub Lieutenant Brian Rose from the cockpit of their downed Swordfish, before it sinks into the depths of the English Channel following their brave attack on the mighty German fleet. Six Royal Navy Swordfish aircraft manned by 18 aircrew attacked the German warships Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen, with their accompanying flotilla of destroyers and motor torpedo boats and top cover provided by deadly fighter aircraft of the Luftwaffe. But only five Swordfish crew survived.


The Channel Dash - Prinz Eugen. (P)

Swordfish of No.825 Sqn FAA attack the might German ship Prinz Eugen during The Channel Dash.


Swordfish

Torpedo bomber and reconnaissance biplane, crewed by three, with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. Maximum ceiling 19,000 feet, reduced as a float plane. Armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit. One 1610lb torpedo or up to 1500lb bomb load. At the outbreak of world war two the fleet air arm had 13 operational squadrons. The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major contributions to naval warfare, during the Norwegian campaign, and especially during the raid on Taranto. In November1940, twenty Swordfish took off from HMS Illustrious to attack the Italian fleet in their Harbour of Taranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their targets. Seven Italian ships were badly damaged including the battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour. This was followed in February 1942, by a heroic but suicidal attack on German battlecruisers in the English Channel by six Swordfish of 825 squadron from RAF Manston. All aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde. The next major event was the torpedo attack on the Bismarck by Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged the steering gear of the Bismarck which helped in the final destruction of the German battleship by Royal Navy battleships. The Fairey Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles. The Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in the same role. By the end of the war the Fleet Air Arm still had nine active squadrons, but these were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399 Swordfish were built.


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