大象传媒

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As an aero engine Artificer with the Fleet Air Arm my father was on a few occasions offered the chance to fly.

After finishing a service on the Bristol Pegasus engine of a Fairey Swordfish the pilot turned to my father and said 'come on then, let's see how she looks'. Being young and eager I should think my father didn't need much encouragement to climb into the Air Gunner/Wireless Operators position in the aircraft. The flight was given an extra thrill due to the fact that the riggers hadn't re-fitted the fuselage floor panel which was supposed to be in place when a torpedo wasn't fitted. As a result my dad was treated to the sight of the Indian Ocean whizzing between his legs at around 80mph.

The Telegraphist/Air Gunner on the aircraft shown recently contacted me to say this aircraft was based at HMS Ukussa in Ceylon. It is carrying the blue and white only markings of the far east theatre. As mentioned elsewhere British aircraft had their red roundels removed to prevent them being mistaken for Japanese aircraft.

This aircraft has it's bomb and Torpedo racks in place, it's serial number is LS 34S.

I'm sure elsewhere on this website you will find first hand accounts of these wonderful aircraft and their fabulously brave crews. They faced 360mph cannon armed fighters and radar controlled flak. Flying at 80/100mph in a straight line they launched a torpedo from an open cockpit, canvas covered bi-plane. Their only defence was a single lewis machine gun in the rear cockpit.

Yet together they were fantastically successful in the hunt for the Bismarck and the Taranto raid, and suicidally brave during the Channel Dash operation.

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