HMS Victorious built by Vickers Armstrong on the Tyne laid down 4th of May 1937 Launched 14 Sept 1939 and completed 15th May 1941 Served in the Home Fleet 1941 - 43  moved to the South Pacific in 1943 and in 1944 to Home and Eastern Fleets and rejoined the Pacific fleet in 1945.  While in the Pacific was twice hit by KAMIKAZES.  Finally scraped in June 1969 at Faslane on the Clyde.

Safe  Return by Ivan Berryman.  The pilot of a Fairey Swordfish MKII guides his aircraft towards the landing ramp of HMS Victorious following a sortie in the Mediterranean Sea 1940.  

FAIREY SWORDFISH, Torpedo Bomber and reconnaissance Biplane, crewed by Three, with a top speed of 154mph, reduced to 136mph as a float plane. maximum ceiling 19,000 feet. reduced as a float plane. armed with a .303 Vickers machine gun fixed forward and one in the rear cockpit..  One 1610lb Torpedo or up to 1500lb bomb load

At the outbreak of world war two the Fleet air arm had 13 operational squadrons .The Fairey Swordfish has earned its place in history for major contributions to naval warfare.  during the Norwegian campaign, and especially during the raid on Toranto.  During November 1940, Twenty Swordfish  to off from HMS Illustrious (operation Judgement ) to attack the Italian Fleet in their Harbour of Toranto. At Least nine torpedoes hit their targets. Seven Italian Ships were badly damaged including The Italian battleships, Caio Duillio, Littorio and Conte De Cavour.  this was followed in February 1942, by a Heroic but suicidal attack on German Battle Cruisers in the English Channel by six swordfish of 825 squadron from RAF Manston. all aircraft and crews were lost. This resulted in a Victoria Cross for the leader Lieutenant Commander E Esmonde.   The next major event was the Torpedo Attack on the Bismarck from Swordfish from HMS Ark Royal, which badly damaged the steering gear of the Bismarck  which helped in the final destruction of the German battleship by Royal Navy Battleships.   The fairey Swordfish was also used in anti-submarine and anti-shipping roles,  The Swordfish sunk more enemy ships (by Tonnage) than any other aircraft acting in the same roles.  By the end of the War the Fleet Air Arm still had nine active squadrons. but were finally disbanded in May 1945. A total of 2399 Swordfish Were Built.

Welcome to Cranston Fine Arts, Military, Naval and Aviation art print searchable database for use by customers of Cranston Fine Arts and authorised trade outlets around the world.