Fairey Swordfish References

A fast and furious month-long build, to take place during July, 2011. Gentlemen, grab your string bags (either Airfix, Matchbox or FROG in origin). We have a running start.
Each builder is to have a unique build (i.e There will be no two Eugene Esmondes in this GB).
For further information, please PM either JRatz, Brews or PaulBradley.
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airjim
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by airjim »

Well I guess I have no choice now! Off to a craft store later in the week to get some Sculpy and try to make a master. Then I'll have to see who locally has a Mattel machine. Heck I was worried about finishing in time and the rigging, and now I have to make a canopy too...

It will be fun.

Jim
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airjim
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by airjim »

Brews wrote: I had intended to give you one,
Brews,

I may still need to beg one from you...I have no idea, if I can pull it off or not. But it will be fun to try.

Thanks Paul for the pics and thanks John for the scans.

Jim
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AndrewR
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by AndrewR »

I have some photos of TH-M in the Canadian Aviation museum, if they'd be of any interest. I think that it's a rebuild job from several aircraft, so caution is advised...


This link is the museum handout

http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca/coll ... Swordfish/;


Cheers

Andrew
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jssel
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by jssel »

I need some assistance on Swordfish torpedoes. I have this picture from the the cover of a SMI showing a torpedo under the Swordfish.

Image

I think it is MkXII but I have never seen a reference to that shroud around the fins and propellers.

Can any one help?
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philp
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by philp »

Some nice profiles here:
http://www.cbrnp.com/profiles/quarter2/swordfish.htm;

Including a profile of Airjim's subject.

And here are a couple Taranto raiders.
Image
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PaulBradley
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by PaulBradley »

Thanks for sharing those, Phil - some other options to think about...! ;-)
Paul

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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by peebeep »

Brews wrote:We're going to have to lower the leading edge slats unless we have an in-flight display, aren't we.
A bit late to the party, but in order to make folks feel better about this it is possible to find pictures of parked machines with the slats retracted. You might come across pictures of a machine with one slat retracted and the other deployed. I don't know how the slats operate, but if they're spring loaded it could simply be that the aircraft was parked into wind (as it should be of course!) when the photo was taken and the wind had sufficient velocity to close the slat. A cross wind might account for an asymmetric appearance. Alternatively if the pilot can choose to deploy the slats their state may depend on whether or not a particular pilot would habitually choose to deploy them for take offs and landings.

peebeep
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JohnRatzenberger
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by JohnRatzenberger »

The Swordfish used the Handley Page Anti-Stall Slat design, which is an automatic slat which self-deploys/retracts under certain areodynamic conditions. I think the notable first use of these slats was the HP.42, but certainly not limited to that.

Anyway, I do not know the design parameters which would cause extension/retraction on the Swordfish, but inconsistent positioning on the ground would seem logical considering landing configuration, wind across a parked aircraft (as peebeep discusses), worn springs, etc ...
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PaulBradley
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by PaulBradley »

...same as the '109 then.
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jssel
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by 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.
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peebeep

Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by 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
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by 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.
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by 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
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airjim
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by 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.

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airjim
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Re: Fairey Swordfish References

Post by airjim »

Brews wrote: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
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