Swordfish reliability and shallow-water torpedo delivery

The Swordfish's effectiveness is judged through the weapon it delivers as well as its biplane airframe. Reliability and repairability keep the aircraft useful, while a tension-wire arrangement makes the released torpedo enter the water in a flatter attitude. A torpedo that enters steeply risks striking the bottom before reaching its target. The flatter entry helps it run shallower and increases the prospect of a hit. This delivery advantage is also associated with the Albacore, qualifying judgments based simply on the biplanes' old-fashioned appearance.