British Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber COBI 5770 - World War II 1:32

FAIREY SWORDFISH MODEL | COBI 5770

A construction set of the British carrier-based torpedo aircraft Swordfish in the colours of the 836th Naval Air Squadron operating from the deck of MV Rapana, in 1:32 scale. The assembled model features a rotating four‑blade propeller, fixed landing gear wheels and a Mark XII torpedo mounted under the fuselage. The set includes a figure of pilot Eugene Kingsmill Esmonde and a figure of rear gunner Stanley Edgar Parker. The model can stand on its own landing gear.

Did you know:

The Swordfish was actually an evolution of the older three‑seat TSR aircraft developed by the British company Fairey Aviation. Its design emerged during a transitional period between First World War aviation technology and modern aircraft. At first glance, the Swordfish looks very outdated and annoyingly slow, but appearances can be deceiving. Chief designer Marcel Lobelle managed to improve the biplane’s characteristics to the maximum possible level. By adjusting the wing sweep, extending the rudder and installing a powerful Bristol engine, the result was a surprisingly dangerous aircraft — dangerous especially for enemy ships without air cover. Its low speed and extremely high payload ensured stable flight and therefore very accurate torpedo aiming.

The Swordfish first took off from the company airfield in Hayes on 17 April 1934 with pilot Chris S. Staniland. Testing proceeded according to plan until an incident on 11 September, when the aircraft entered a flat spin and was destroyed upon impact. Serial production began in 1935, but Fairey’s factory capacity could not meet the demands of the British Air Ministry. Production was therefore moved to newly built Blackburn Aircraft Ltd. factories, where floatplane versions were also produced. From 1943, aircraft with partially metal skin and launchers for unguided rockets — nicknamed “Blackfish” — were introduced. Aircraft intended for Canada were equipped with connectors for electrically heated crew suits.

A total of 2,392 units were produced in various versions.

The last Swordfish aircraft were withdrawn from service on 21 May 1945, together with the disbandment of the 836th operational squadron.

Swordfish aircraft left a deep mark on the memory of the British nation and on the culture of the 1960s. This particular aircraft was repainted in 1956 with period markings for the filming of the famous movie “Sink the Bismarck!”. Today, you can see aircraft LS 326 at the Navy Wing Heritage Center museum in England.

Technical specifications of the Fairey Swordfish:

• wingspan 12.87 m, length 12.3 m, height 4.45 m
• empty weight 2,267 kg
• maximum take‑off weight 4,037 kg
• powerplant: nine‑cylinder radial engine Bristol Pegasus IIIM3 producing 507 kW
• fuel tank capacity 705 litres + 57 litres in the gravity‑feed reserve tank
• maximum speed 228 km/h
• range 1,700 km
• rate of climb 4.4 m/s
• service ceiling max. 4,340 m
• armament: 1× movable Vickers machine gun (7.7 mm) + 1× Mark XII torpedo (457 mm, 730 kg) + up to 8 unguided RP‑3 rockets

From the memories of gunner Stanley Edgar Parker:

“Flying over the Atlantic in winter was pure hell. We were wrapped in so many layers of sweaters and flight suits that we could barely move in the cockpit. We smeared our faces with a thick layer of grease to avoid frostbite, because if you turned your head into the wind at that speed, the icy air would burn your skin instantly. When a snowstorm hit, the pilot could see almost nothing, and I sat in the back freezing stiff, scanning for submarine periscopes. The worst part was landing. When the ship rose and fell on the waves by as much as ten metres, the pilot had to catch the exact moment when the stern dropped down and literally slam the aircraft onto the deck before the ship rose again and smashed us into the air.”

About the COBI construction set:

• the COBI 5770 set is made of 806 high‑quality ABS bricks
• number of figures: 2
• collection: Executive Edition – World War II
• scale 1:32
• pad printed – no stickers
• highly detailed design
• made in the EU
• compatible with other construction block brands
• recommended age 9+