The Cuckoo was conceived primarily to attack warships concentrated in harbor, where target motion would not complicate the torpedo solution. Training in the Firth of Forth nevertheless advanced to launches against targets towed by destroyers. Those exercises tested whether pilots could translate the basic strike concept into attacks on ships under way. The progression shows the Royal Navy developing a more general carrier torpedo-bomber capability even before the type had seen combat.
Notable Point · 33:30-34:01
Destroyer-towed targets moved Cuckoo training beyond harbor attack
Firth of Forth exercises tested Cuckoo crews against moving targets towed by destroyers, broadening the aircraft's role beyond the planned Wilhelmshaven raid.