Fairey "Swordfish" Mk.I - the British deck torpedo bomber reconnaissance aircraft

Fairey "Swordfish" - a British World War II torpedo bomber, also used as a reconnaissance aircraft. It was built in 1935 by "Fairey Aviation" Co. Ltd. It was originally developed as a private company initiative and designated TSR I (Torpedо-Strike-Reconnaissance). The prototype first flew on 31 March 1933. The aircraft was a typical British torpedo bomber of that year, a conservative biplane with open cockpits. Its crew consisted of three people, the landing gear was not retracted. It was powered by a 640 hp Bristol "Pegasus" II M radial engine. The aircraft was recognized as a successful design and was adopted by the British Royal Navy, named "Swordfish". On 23 April 1935, the factory received its first order for 85 aircraft of this type. The first serial aircraft flew on 31 December 1935, and full-scale production began in 1936. The first and for a long time the only modification of this aircraft was the Fairey "Swordfish" Mk. I, a basic version of a deck-based bomber-torpedo-reconnaissance aircraft with wheeled landing gear. These aircraft were based on aircraft carriers. A seaplane version was also produced, differing only in that, the wheels were replaced by floats. The first "Swordfish" were delivered in July 1936 to 825 Fleet Air Arm Division, which was based on the aircraft carrier HMS "Glorious". Later, it was successfully deployed in other divisions - 811, 812, 810, 820, 821, 822, 823, 824 and 814, where by 1938 it replaced all the Fairey "Seal", Blackburn "Shark" and Blackburn "Baffin", that were in service until then. Thus, the "Swordfish" became the only torpedo bomber in service of the Royal Navy aviation until 1940. Immediately after the start of the war, 815, 816, 818 and 819 FAA divisions were created, which were also based on aircraft carriers. These aircraft were also used in training units, and later in coast guard units. Seaplanes were used in the armament of battleships and cruisers as reconnaissance aircraft. Serial production of the "Swordfish" was discontinued on August 18, 1944, a total of 2392 aircraft of various versions were produced.

This is probably the best paper model of this aircraft, I have ever seen (although few of these models were released). A well-designed, carefully and finely detailed (engine, cockpit equipment, armament, exterior detailing, landing gear) model of a beautiful, albeit archaic aircraft for intermediate and experienced modelers. There is a small reserve of colors, the textual instructions are small, but quite detailed, the graphics - good and quite detailed.