Judging the Swordfish by its biplane appearance misses the qualities required for a torpedo strike. Its stability, ruggedness, long range, two-seat crew, and ability to release a torpedo correctly in shallow water or rough conditions made it suitable for the mission. The comparison with the short-range, single-seat Sopwith Cuckoo shows how far torpedo-strike aircraft had developed over two decades despite their similar outlines. A pilot still had to evade anti-aircraft fire, slow down, level the aircraft, and make a precise run, so the airframe's forgiving handling made a demanding attack more manageable.
Chapter · 16:56-20:40
The Swordfish as a stable torpedo-strike aircraft
The apparently old-fashioned Swordfish reflected two decades of development for long-range, stable torpedo delivery in demanding conditions.