Swordfish Floatplane that landed on HMS Ark Royal

[Silver Fox]

In yesterdays' Daily Telegraph (08/08/09) here was on obituary of Lt Commander Ben Breese. Amongst his exploits was the fact he had to land is floatplane Swordfish on the deck of HMS Ark Royal during the action against the French Fleet at Mers-el Kebir in July 1940.

Apparently he was actually on HMS Valiant and after being launched, HMS Valiant was chasing Strasbourg and couldn't stop to pick him up, hence the diversion to HMS Ark Roal. HMS Ark Royal also couldn't stop so he landed on the deck with little damage. It seems a few dents in the floats were bashed out and the machine, which was nicknamed 'Mitzi' was taxi'ed over to HMS Valiant a couple of days later.

Anyone have a starting point for the serial and colour scheme? There is a small photo with the obituary and it looks like either the Swordfish was still overall Cerrux Grey/Aluminium dope or possibly has the Sky Grey sides with the high demarkation line. It looks as if she was carrying the stores light carriers under the wings.

I have a Tamiya Floatplane, bought of about a fiver when Beatties went bust, that I have never got round to building and this seems like a good machine to do.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Peter B]

Good morning Silver Fox!

Can't help you with the colours I'm afraid, but I would point you in the direction of David Wragg's book 'Stringbag - The Fairey Swordfish at War' (I got mine recently very cheaply on Amazon). There are three superb pics of the approach and landing of this aircraft including one of when it came to rest. Very large fin marking and what appears to be a large number or letter and number (it is cut off by the position of the wing) underneath and just aft of the rear cockpit on the starboard side.

Interestingly, the photo of the actual landing shown in the Telegraph is not the one shown in this book.

Good luck with the build.

Peter