A rare opportunity to own a unique collection of Swordfish memorabilia.

The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest and most complex campaign of WWII. Fairey Swordfish, launched from Escort carriers and MAC ships, played a huge part in winning that war. These wonderful aircraft, so well suited to the task, flew in all weathers and proved to be a superb deterrent to the German U boats, reducing allied ship losses to a minimum.

The Collection includes:

A swatch of Swordfish linen signed by the late S/Lt Bruce Vibert who flew Swordfish while in 842 NAS from HMS Fencer. On May 2nd 1944, S/Lt Vibert sank U-674 using rockets from his Swordfish MkII

Original signalling lamp from a Swordfish. Used for general signalling, but in particular when on convoy defence duty when radio silence was the norm. Supplied in original box. NB this features original wiring and mini two pin plug. It would need to be updated to function and meet current safety standards.

Museum quality model . A large scale (1/27 - 46cm x 37cm) and superbly detailed model of Swordfish LS326 which served in the Battle of the Atlantic and currently resides, in flying condition, in the Navy Wings Heritage Hangar.

A limited edition print (250) shows Swordfish LS326 setting out on yet another cold patrol and has original signatures of veteran aircrew including those who flew in the Atlantic and one survivor of the Battle of Taranto. 

It's a stunning image that will enhance any home and is an opportunity to own a piece of history. It is also a fitting tribute to the bravery of the pilot's and crew.

Supplied with certificate of authenticity and signed by:

MAC Ship Pilot – Stanley Brand

Swordfish pilot Sub Lt Stanley Brand joined 836 NAS and served on MAC ships Alexia and Empire MacColl. He is the author of Achtung! Swordfish! (and also pranged W5856 – another Swordfish in the Navy Wings Heritage flight!).

 MAC Ship Observer – John Treble

Lt John Treble served in 826 NAS operating from Malta and North Africa before joining 836 NAS and serving aboard MAC ships Acavus, Empire McAndrew and Empire Mackay.

 MAC Ship Telegraphist Air Gunner – John McFarling

PO (Air) John McFarling served in 833 NAS and 836 NAS on the MAC Ships Miralda, MacAndrew and Rapana before moving to 758 NAS

 MAC Ship Air Staff Officer – John Neale

Lt Cdr John Neale was awarded his DSC for his part in the attack on Taranto in 1940 while flying with 815 NAS. He then served with 823 NAS on the Malta run with HMS Furious and then 841 NAS where he earned a DFC for operations in the Channel.

Artist – Terrence Lee

Terrence Lee is a highly regarded artist who specialises in marine subjects and worked for a period at RNAS Yeovilton

 MV Rapana.

Rapana was launched in April 1935 and was converted to Merchant Aircraft Carrier (MAC ship) in July 1943.

She displaced only 8000 tons (or 16,000 with a deep load). Almost 483 feet in length, she had a maximum beam of just 62 feet. She was equipped with a single 4inch QF (quick fire) gun, two single 40mm Bofors and six 20mm Oerlikons. She carried 3 Swordfish which were parked on deck as there was no hangar. She was reconverted to a mercantile tanker in 1945, renamed Rotula in 1950 and scrapped in Hong Kong in 1958.

Fairey Swordfish LS326

LS326 is one of the last two flying Fairey Swordfish aircraft in the world and is part of the Navy Wings Heritage Flight. Built by Blackburn in Sherburn in Elmet, she was delivered to the RN in 1943. She saw service in L Flight 836 NAS in MV Rapana between September and November 1943 and later in 836K Flight in MV Empire MacCallum during 1944. In 1959 she was used in the film ‘Sink the Bismarck!’.

Books - I sank the Bismarck & War in a Stringbag - two classic books about warfare fought in one of the great unsung aircraft heroes of WWII. Ripping yarns including first hand narratives about the sinking of the Bismarck and the attack on Taranto.

Mug and coaster from our popular British legends series.

Lapel pins - Swordfish and Remembrance, both with detailed images on a Fleet Air Arm zigzag silver and blue background.

Mighty Swordfish booklet - What flying in a Swordfish from aircraft carriers was really like and how this remarkable aircraft achieved a service record which is second to none.