The Albacore traded Swordfish simplicity for modern equipment

The Albacore was conceived as a more modern long-range strike aircraft, with an enclosed cockpit, heating, a variable-pitch propeller, hydraulic flaps, and safety equipment. Its crew gained protection and conveniences that the cold, draughty Swordfish lacked. Those improvements could not compensate for the Bristol Taurus engine's maintenance and production problems. The Swordfish and its dependable Pegasus engine show why reliability could matter more than comfort or paper performance in carrier operations.