After more than a hundred miles over open water, the observer picked up the fleet beacon without requiring a course correction. The damaged aircraft could not slow to the normal landing speed or turn left cleanly, forcing an unconventional approach. An experienced landing-control officer recognized the problem and continued guiding it toward the deck. The Swordfish missed the first wires but caught one while still airborne and stopped safely. Inspection revealed broken aileron connections and a large hole in the lower wing, evidence of both the airframe's resilience and the crew's skill.
Notable Point · 3:14:21-3:18:03
Dead reckoning and a damaged night deck landing
An observer found the moving fleet by dead reckoning before the pilot brought a badly damaged Swordfish aboard at night.