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George R Blackburn |
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Name : George R Blackburn |
Learned to fly as a civilian pilot before WW2 at Marshall's Flying School, Cambridge, where he obtained a Private Pilots Licence. The RAF turned him down for flying at the outbreak of WW2 owing to defective eyesight. The Royal Navy accepted him with corrected vision. He served in the Army as a Private from 1940-1941 and the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) from 1941-1946. Whilst in the FAA he was in the following squadrons: 813 & 836 TBR/TSR/AIL Swordfish A/C (Operational Squadrons) and 752, 780, 793 and 785 Training and Non-Operational Squadrons. George flew throughout the war in the UK, Trinidad, Canada, Gibratar/Mediterrcan, North Africa and Atlantic convoys. He finished as Commanding Officer Aircraft Ferry Squadron. He continued flying after the war in the RAFVR. from 19491952 and the RNYWRNR from 1952-1958. After this George continued flying as a civilian pilot. |
Artwork signed by this Pilot or Aircrew |
  Supreme Courage by Philip West. (AP) |
| Aircraft for : George R Blackburn | ||
| A list of all aircraft associated with George R Blackburn. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | ||
| Aircraft | Info | |
Swordfish 
Manufacturer : Fairey Number Built : 2399 | 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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