OK, lets look at these two aircraft. Believe it or not both were designed to do exactly the same job and were in service side by side!!! Both served with increadible success despite their seemingly quantum difference in technology. The Swordfish or "Stringbag" outlived all its direct replacements. It served right through the war. It sank a large proportion of the Italian fleet in Taranto harbour.....an idea copied wholesale by the Japanese a year later on December 7th 1941!! Another triumph was the crippling of the Bismark in a heroic strike. Imagine sitting in an aged (first flight 1933) Biplane at only 138 MPH attacking the most advanced battleship in the world in broad daylight. They were so slow that the German gunnery computers could not calculate to hit aircraft that slow!
The TBF was a totally different kettle of fish. It replaced the dismal TBD Devastator which was virtually wiped out at the battle of Miday with terrible loss of life. Midway also marked the first combat of this aircraft...which was none to auspicious either. Despite this it went on to have a long and successful career with not only th USN but with many other Navies around the world. It was a big tough brute but with a top speed of 265MPH (compare that with the Swordfish!). It could carry a torpedo or 2000lb of bombs in the weapon bay, or rockets under the wings. The Ex President George Bush flew a TBF in the Pacific. He participated in several raids and named his plane Barbera after his future wife. He was actually shot down by ground fire but lived on to become president.....and order a new generation of Naval Aviators into combat during the Gulf War!
Almost all the flyable Bristol Mercury engines in the world in the same piece of sky! The Bristol Blenheim, 2 X Westland Lysanders and a Gloster Gladiator.
Top Right: A gaggle of Spitfires, but can you spot the interloping Hurricane
Left: A few P51's.
Part of the big flypast. The various sections had formed up into a never ending stream of aircraft. The picture does not do the sight and sound of this stunning specticle justice.
Whilst this formation was forming the F8F Bearcat was performing some amazing aerobatics. The power of that little fighter was phenominal. You could tell that the pilot was having a blast!
Who needs a panoramic camera when you have a set of prints, photo editor software...and patience! This montage gives a complete line up of the flightline. Click on thumbnail for a closer look
THIS SHOW IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR!
