Fairey Swordfish Camouflage 1943 onwards

[stringbag]

Does anyone know when the white sides and undersurface camo. became "standard" pattern for these aircraft? Photos seem to indicate mid 1943 onwards. Am assuming that all HS 45x and LS xxx serial aircraft commenced this paint scheme. Am researching 825 Sqdn FAA Swordfish aboard Furious ('43) and Vindex ('44)

[Larry]

Actually I have late 1942 for this change to white sides and undersides. Just trying to find the month now!

BTW - Upper areas were Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey

[stringbag]

Larry

Many thanks for your reply - trying to cross reference, camo. scheme(s) with aircraft codes and serials for a painting I am commissioning of my fathers service in 825 sqdn '43/44. using his log book entries are sometimes code letter and other times serial number!

Cheers

[Larry]

One point of note is that white sides and undersides was I believe introduced principally for Carrier Escort operations such as in the Atlantic but was not always used in other areas, so for example in the Mediterranean some Swordfish used more Dark Sea Grey and Dark Slate Grey down the fuselage sides with Sky or even black undersides. Also Swordfish based in UK training establishments were often in camo colours too and I see that 825 spent a bit of time on UK shore bases in 1943.

Lastly have you referenced your Dad's log to Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945 by Ray Sturtivant & Mick Burrow, 1995, from Air Britain Publishers ISBN0 85130 232 7

[stringbag]

Hi Larry

Thx again - have not xref'd to the book you mention - will do. Yes - 825 were aboard Furious flying S'Fish MkII aircraft in early '43 then land based prior to embarking on Vindex in Dec '43 with MkII aircraft and a section of Sea Hurricanes. My father left 825 in March '44.

On another matter (apologies you may know nothing about this!) my Dad ditched 3 times whilst in 825 - once on Furious and twice on Vindex. Do you know of any "Air Accident" type records I could check for details?

Best

[Larry]

Fleet Air Arm Aircraft 1939-1945 by Ray Sturtivant & Mick Burrow will give you all these details!

If you post the serial numbers if you have them then we can post the entry in the book!

I don't believe in making sweeping generalisations, but in this case I'll make an exception and state that most ditching of FAA aircraft from Carriers was due to appalling weather and / or pilot error!

If there are any entries in he logbook for Christchurch UK or NARIU I'd be interested.