They also didn’t think the airforce needed many heavy, long range bombers.
Hence the hampdens and other small bombers at the start of WW2.
The swordfish was still in service till the end of the war too!!!
Though i would argue the swordfish did prove it’s worth on several occaisions, if it a’int broke don’t fix it.
The main point about the Swordfish is that it could fly off very small carrier decks, such as we had. The higher performance aircraft (such as were used by the USN and to an extent later in the war by the RN) required much larger carrier decks, which weren’t always avialable.
The Fairey Swordfish made a significant contribution to the sinking of the Bismarck. That an aircraft considered out of date in 1939 could achieve such success against one of the most powerful warships of the time is something the MoD should pay close attention to when considering present day fleet air capability.
You don’t mean… Sea Harrier ? :shock:
But, but - they’re outdated…
To be fair, my understanding of the reasons for phasing them out is that unless you remove them and replace them with GR.7s/9s the carriers have essentially no offensive air capability. Since that’s the business we’re in right now, there are IMHO good reasons to replace them with the 7s/9s.
Also, ASRAAM does have a significantly bigger engagement envelope than Sidewinder - and coupled with the Sea King AEW that does leave a reasonable air defence capability. Not as good as what we’re losing, but remember we are gaining other things instead that look like being more useful.