Early airborne radar could struggle with shallow water, atmospheric conditions, and interference associated with its carrying aircraft. The Swordfish is singled out for unusually reliable radar performance, although reliability is distinguished from radar power or detection range. One suggested explanation is that the aircraft's small radar return produced less interference, but this remains a proposed explanation. Its slow, stable flight also suited night torpedo attacks, allowing it to approach quietly and pass between barrage balloons. The biplane arrangement is linked to the requirement for simple handling at low speed while carrying a torpedo. Taranto illustrates the result: a small strike caused substantial disruption for months, although claims that it annihilated the Italian Navy overstate the effect.
Notable Point · 27:07-30:04
Swordfish radar reliability and night attacks at Taranto
The Swordfish discussion connects radar reliability and low-speed handling with night torpedo attacks, while qualifying the proposed technical explanation and claims about Taranto's effect.