A 36-to-12 split between Swordfish and fighters can look like an extreme preference for strike aircraft. The Swordfish total actually supports attack, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. Some aircraft would remain airborne to search while others provided overwatch or prepared for a strike. The twelve fighters then supplied fleet air defence, so the ratio reflects the wider mission burden carried by the multipurpose Swordfish in a pre-radar force.
Notable Point · 49:30-50:26
Why 36 Swordfish did not mean a strike-only air group
Before radar, Swordfish covered reconnaissance and anti-submarine work as well as attack, explaining their numerical dominance over fighters.