Fairey Swordfish References

[jssel]

There may have been enough friction in the system to allow them to stay retracted. Ground crews or flight crews preparing for flight may have flexed them to test operation and they would then stay down. At least that's my story so I don't cut mine out. I'm afraid the cockpit area is all I can handle at the moment.

[peebeep]

I've since found out that the slats are automatic, but can be locked. Also any tendency to asymmetry when the aircraft is parked should be considered normal. So there's no need to feel you're slacking if you leave them retracted.

peebeep

[jssel]

Can anyone assist me in the shape of the windows behind the lower wing/fuselage struts to aid the pilots downward vision? They seem to be upside down triangles.

[MerlinJones]

Any ideas as to what the crew should be wearing? I've seen photos of them wearing RAF uniform, with a Mae West and leather helmet, but that doesn't seem overly sensible, over the cold briny.
I'm guessing thick, brown coats.

Regards,
Bruce

[airjim]

Is there a recessed area for the tailhook on the 'fish? It would appear so, but Matchbox/Revell want me just to glue it to the bottom of the fuselage...and that doesn't seem right to me.

Jim

[airjim]

Yes, there is. If you get a FROG Swordfish, and make the floatplane version, you get the recessed area as a spare. So ... someone may have a spare if you ask nicely.

Good point. I have a Frogspawn boxing so I'll dig that out as a pattern.

Thanks much.

Jim

[JohnRatzenberger]

Actually, I have a picture of a Swordfish on floats landing on a carrier deck so maybe the hook isn't all that superfluous ?

Anyway, Jim, if you need one of those hook sections, I have spare, PM me..

[splash]

I took this photo today at Yeovilton airday.

Regards
Splash

[jssel]

Wow, right click save.

[peebeep]

Seen at Duxford yesterday. Apologies for the poor quality a combination of personal ineptness and difficult lighting for photography.

Arrival (after the flight line walk was closed, drat!):







Those slats at rest:







Returning from the display:





The aircraft was parked right opposite our 'spot' on the line and we watched the attendant ground crew sweat whilst pulling the prop to clear the cylinders, then again when they wound up the inertia starter!

peebeep

[jssel]

Thanks for these pictures PB. That is the scheme I am doing. More importantly it shows the object on the fuselage in front of the pilot with the correct angle of the tubes. Oil tank breathers maybe? Missing from the Airfix kit.

Great stuff.

Cheers

[peebeep]

Oil tank breathers maybe?

The cutaway drawing I have doesn't describe them, but they are attached to the oil tank.

peebeep

[PaulBradley]

A newly-restored Swordfish takes to the air:

http://www.vintagewings.ca/VintageNews/ ... light.aspx;