An image of Swordfish aircraft practising a ripple dive counters the idea that the type belonged only to torpedo attack. Its load repertoire included a torpedo, a 1,500-pound mine, roughly the same weight in bombs, and later eight 60-pound RP-3 rockets. Its ability to dive-bomb and carry several weapon types made the rugged airframe useful after the tactical setting changed. The Swordfish's service history therefore extends well beyond its best-known torpedo strikes.
Notable Point · 2:40:25-2:42:04
Swordfish ripple dives reveal a broader attack repertoire
Ripple-dive training and a load of torpedo, mine, bombs, or rockets show how Swordfish grew beyond its torpedo-bomber label.