SWORDFISH ~ From the Cockpit

Signed on the title page by

Captain Eric Brown RN, CBE DSC AFC
Lieutenant Donald Payne RNVR

From the Cockpit No 10 published by Ad Hoc Publications. First edition 2008.  208 pages with 228 photos and 16 pages of colour profiles.

Fine condition softback book. Presentation copy to aviation artist Roy Cross of Airfix kit fame and also signed by Ken Wilson whose association with the Swordfish is unknown. 

Apparently obsolete before WWII started and definitely obsolete when it ended, this book tells the tale of a remarkable aircraft and the equally remarkable aircrews that flew it undertaking the many onerous tasks asked of it. The Fairey Swordfish has the distinction of being one of the few aircraft to have been in service in greater numbers at the end of the war, than at the start.

Author Lieutenant (A) Donald Payne RNVR, who flew the ‘Stringbag’ in Atlantic and Russian convoys, has compiled the collective testament of about twenty former Fleet Air Arm pilots, observers, ‘TAG’s (Telegraphist Air Gunners) and maintainers. Besides the famous actions of Taranto, the Channel Dash and the Bismarck, there are the tales told of endless patrols, atrocious weather, horrendous enemy fire and loyal comradeship. Famed test pilot Captain Eric ‘Winkle’ Brown contributes a chapter on his first encounter with the Swordfish.

This is a quality production, well researched, on good paper with a stitched binding so it won’t fall apart with the years of use.  The informative text is profusely illustrated with 228 superb black and white photographs (many previously unpublished) of the Swordfish in action, on the ground, on the water, in the air and on the assembly line. The detail contained here provides a fantastic resource for enthusiast, historian and modeller.

This is undoubtedly the best book to date on the Swordfish, enhanced by two great signatures.