Swordfish outlives the aircraft meant to replace it

When was the Swordfish replaced by the Avenger?

It was displaced from primary fleet strike work around 1943, but it was not fully replaced and continued anti-submarine service beyond the careers of several nominal successors.

An audience member asks when Avengers replaced Swordfish. Replacement was not a single handover: Swordfish left the main fleet strike role around 1943 but continued serving after newer aircraft arrived. It outlasted the Albacore designed as its successor, the later Barracuda, and even the Avenger bought when the Barracuda was unavailable in time. Short takeoff needs, radar carriage, and effective anti-submarine patrol work kept it useful on escort and merchant carriers. The distinction between leaving a front-line role and leaving service entirely is essential to understanding the type's longevity.