Judging the Swordfish by later-war standards mistakes historical sequence for design failure. In 1939-40, many navies still used biplane torpedo aircraft, and few alternatives combined night operation, carrier handling, range, and reliable torpedo delivery as effectively. Its slow speed was a disadvantage, but the Fleet Air Arm valued endurance and ease of flying for planned night strikes such as Taranto. The Albacore was an interim successor intended to cover part of the fleet until the Barracuda arrived, rather than proof that every Swordfish was already useless. The aircraft becomes clearly outclassed as a primary strike type later in the war, especially after 1941. Reading the design forward from its entry into service explains why it remained effective in 1940 without pretending it was modern by 1945 standards.
Notable Point · 4:19:42-4:23:56
Taranto and the Swordfish's real wartime value
The Swordfish was not obsolete in 1940: it was a practical night-strike aircraft with the reliability and handling the Fleet Air Arm needed.