Fairey Swordfish Mk I
Fairey Swordfish Mk I 825 Squadron, Lt. Cdr. E. Esmonde DSO (pilot),
Lt. W.H. Williams (observer), LAC W.J. Clinton (telegraphist/air gunner).
Scale 1:72 Wingspan 7.58" (192 mm)
Base size 12.28"
x 8.8" (312mm x 225mm) (No. 14)
Weight not including base 13 ozs (368 grams)
Limited edition of 100 only Total number of models produced 100
At 12.30hrs. on February 12th 1942, six Swordfish from 825 Squadron took
off from a snowbound Manston on operation "Fuller" led by Lt.
Cdr. Eugene Esmonde DSO. Their target were the German battle-cruisers
Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and the cruiser Prinz Eugen which had slipped out
of Brest Harbour and were heading through the English Channel to cause
havoc amongst the allied convoys in the Atlantic. Despite the overwhelming
German fighter cover they managed to press home their attack but with
no major damage caused to their target. All six aircraft were destroyed
and of the 18 air crew, only 5 survived the operation.
Lt. Cdr. Esmonde was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Four DSO's and
one Conspicuous Gallantry Medal were awarded to survivors of the first
flight with the remainder none of whom came back and of whom it is said
"Theirs was the courage which is beyond praise." were posthumously
Mentioned in Despatches.
Mounted on the base together with the aircraft, plaque, and torpedo on
trolley is a piece of fabric from one of the Royal Navy Historic Flight
Swordfish which has been signed personally by D. Bunce CGM, E.Lee DSO,
P. Kingsmill DSO, all of whom took part in the operation.
