Fairey Swordfish: Why pilots loved this mistake of an aircraft

The Fairey Swordfish TBR is an unlikely hero of World War II. But those who flew it were more than eager to explain why. Representing the pinnacle of pre-war biplane technology, the “Stringbag“ was so inherently sound, flexible, and reliable that it remained in operation throughout World War II. While its front-line torpedo strike days were limited, its ability to fly off short decks in appalling weather and at night proved difficult to replace in the anti-submarine role.