Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:04:27-3:05:42

An early Barracuda at Cape Matapan

A chronology answer moves an accelerated Barracuda from an impossible Taranto appearance to the more plausible Battle of Cape Matapan.

Battle of Cape MatapanFairey BarracudaFleet Air ArmHMS FormidableMediterranean
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Question

If the Barracuda first flew in December 1939 and entered service in 1941, could it replace the Swordfish at Taranto?

Short answer

It would miss the November 1940 Taranto raid, but an aggressively worked-up unit could plausibly reach HMS Formidable in time for Cape Matapan in March 1941.

Notes

The proposed 1941 entry date comes too late for Taranto, which occurred in November 1940. Cape Matapan offers a more credible early combat window because it took place in March 1941. If one squadron were rushed through work-up, HMS Formidable in the Mediterranean would be the logical place to send it.