The Fairey Swordfish is a British three seat biplane torpedo bomber developed for naval operations during the 1930s and widely used by the Royal Navy in the Second World War. Discover Fairey Swordfish aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Fairey Swordfish listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, museums and specialist warbird operators. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!
Finding a Fairey Swordfish for Sale on AvPay
AvPay offers a global marketplace for Fairey Swordfish aircraft, connecting buyers and sellers across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and beyond. Discover available Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers in our dedicated online listings built for historic military aircraft buyers.
Refine your Fairey Swordfish search on AvPay with our easy-to-use filters. Quickly find your perfect aircraft by condition, year, total time, location, price and seller.
As a leading aviation marketplace, AvPay features a diverse range of aircraft for sale, including the iconic Fairey Swordfish. Explore our full Fairey Aviation Company selection here, or browse all aircraft from various manufacturers here.
Found your ideal Fairey Swordfish? Connect directly with sellers on AvPay via WhatsApp, private message or phone to discuss pricing, restoration history and airworthiness status of the Fairey Swordfish Aircraft For Sale.
Interesting facts about the Fairey Swordfish
✈ The Fairey Swordfish is a British carrier borne biplane torpedo bomber developed by the Fairey Aviation Company for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in the early 1930s.
✈ It features a three seat configuration consisting of a pilot, an observer and a rear gunner who also operated the radio, giving it true multi crew operational capability.
✈ The aircraft entered service in 1936 and remained operational throughout the Second World War despite its fabric covered biplane design.
✈ Swordfish aircraft famously attacked the Italian fleet at Taranto in 1940, demonstrating the effectiveness of carrier launched torpedo bombers against capital ships.
✈ It played a central role in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck in 1941 when a torpedo strike damaged the ship’s steering gear.
✈ Power comes from a single Bristol Pegasus radial piston engine driving a three bladed propeller, a robust combination known for reliability in maritime conditions.
✈ Later variants adapted the Swordfish for anti submarine warfare using rockets and radar, extending its operational relevance beyond pure torpedo attack missions.
✈ Production continued until 1944 with more than 2,000 examples built, making surviving airworthy aircraft rare and highly significant historic warbirds today.
Model Variants for buyers to consider when purchasing a Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was produced in several recognised variants that matter to collectors and operators. The Swordfish I was the original production torpedo bomber version and remains the most historically associated model. The Swordfish II introduced metal lower wings to support rocket armament which improved durability and ground attack capability. The Swordfish III incorporated centimetric radar for anti submarine operations which changed its mission focus toward maritime patrol. The final Swordfish IV featured an enclosed cockpit for use by the Royal Canadian Air Force which altered crew comfort and appearance. Buyers should consider which operational era and configuration best suits their restoration goals or display intentions.
Fairey Swordfish Specifications
Information provided here is as a guide only. This information should not be used for flight planning or other aircraft operations. Individual aircraft condition, restoration standard and modifications will affect performance and weight figures. Always confirm exact details with the seller and relevant aviation authority.
Length: 10.87 m (35 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 13.87 m (45 ft 6 in)
Height: 3.76 m (12 ft 4 in)
Empty Weight: 1,903 kg (4,195 lb)
Max Take Off Weight (MTOW): 3,438 kg (7,580 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Pegasus radial piston engine
Range: 840 km (522 mi, 454 nm)
Service Ceiling: 5,000 m (16,500 ft)
Rate of Climb: 4.4 m/s (870 ft/min)
FAQs About the Fairey Swordfish
What type of aircraft is the Fairey Swordfish?
The Fairey Swordfish is a British carrier borne biplane torpedo bomber designed for naval operations with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm.
How many crew does a Fairey Swordfish have?
The aircraft has a three person crew consisting of a pilot, an observer and a rear gunner who also handled radio duties.
What engine powers the Fairey Swordfish?
The Swordfish uses a single Bristol Pegasus air cooled radial piston engine driving a three bladed propeller.
What was the primary role of the Fairey Swordfish?
Its primary role was torpedo bombing from aircraft carriers, although later versions also conducted anti submarine and maritime strike missions.
Are Fairey Swordfish aircraft still flying today?
A small number of restored examples remain airworthy in the warbird community, while others are preserved in museums worldwide.
Get help buying a Fairey Swordfish
Can’t find the Fairey Swordfish aircraft you’re looking for? Get in touch with an Aircraft Broker to help you buy an aircraft via the Aircraft Broker Directory. Alternatively you can browse Aircraft Brokerage and Aircraft Acquisition Services through the aviation marketplace to help you with the purchase of a Fairey Swordfish aircraft.
Sell your Fairey Swordfish on AvPay
Do you have a Fairey Swordfish Aircraft for Sale? Get your aircraft listed on AvPay and reach buyers searching globally for a historic Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber. AvPay is a Zero Workload Website so you never need to manage updates yourself and each listing is promoted across our Social Media Pages for added visibility. With AvPay you generate enquiries through your aircraft listing, your Aircraft Broker Profile and your related service listings across the Aviation Marketplace. Let AvPay promote your Fairey Swordfish for sale.
Get Your Fairey Swordfish Aircraft Listed for Sale on AvPay
Find Finance for buying a Fairey Swordfish
Financing a Fairey Swordfish often requires specialist historic aircraft lenders who understand warbird valuations, restoration costs and limited production numbers. Many lenders will assess documented maintenance history and current airworthiness status before structuring a loan. You should also factor in hangarage, insurance and ongoing preservation costs when calculating affordability. Working with aviation finance experts can help you secure terms aligned with the unique nature of a vintage naval torpedo bomber.
Explore Fairey Swordfish Aircraft Financing Options
Find Insurance for a Fairey Swordfish
Insuring a Fairey Swordfish requires specialist warbird insurance brokers who understand fabric covered biplane construction and historic military operations. Hull values are typically influenced by restoration quality, originality and documented provenance. Insurers will review pilot experience in tailwheel and vintage aircraft before quoting terms. Comprehensive coverage should address liability, ground risks and agreed value protection suited to a rare three seat naval torpedo bomber.
Buy Insurance for Fairey Swordfish Aircraft
Fairey Aviation Company Aircraft Models for Sale on AvPay
The Fairey Swordfish is a British three seat biplane torpedo bomber developed for naval operations during the 1930s and widely used by the Royal Navy in the Second World War. Discover Fairey Swordfish aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Fairey Swordfish listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, museums and specialist warbird operators. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!