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Fairey Barracuda Torpedo Bomber

Fairey Barracuda Fleet Air Arm Torpedo Bomber

Fairey Barracuda Torpedo Bomber

Designed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Albacore biplanes, the Fairey Barracuda first flew on 7 December 1940. It entered service on 10 January 1943, with its first action being with 10 Squadron aboard HMS Illustrious off the Norwegian coast during July 1943. Although designed as a combined dive bomber and torpedo bomber, it was more often operated as a dive bomber.

On 3 April 1944, a total of 42 Barracudas from HMS Illustrious and Furious attacked the German battleship Tirpitz in the Kåfjord, Alta, Norway. The attacked achieved 16 direct hits, putting the battleship out of action for two months. The follow-up attacks of Operation Mascot and Operation Goodwood were not successful, partly owing to the Barracuda’s slow speed.

On 21 April 1944 Barracudas of No 827 Squadron aboard HMS Illustrious attacked Japanese targets around Sumatra. It was discovered that the prevailing high temperatures in the Pacific affected the performance of the Barracuda by up to 30%. As a result, it was decided to re-equip the fleet carriers with Grumman Avenger aircraft.

Post war, the Barracuda was used as a trainer and was removed from service in the early 1950s.

In addition to the Royal Navy, the Barracuda was operated by the RAF, Royal Canadian Navy, Netherlands Naval Aviation Service (Marineluchtvaartdienst, shortened to MLD) and the French Air Force (Armée de l’air).

Variants

Mk I: First production version, Rolls-Royce Merlin 30 engine with 1,260 hp (940 kW), 30 built

Mk II: Upgraded Merlin 32 engine with 1,640 hp (1,225 kW), four-bladed propeller, ASV II radar, 1,688 built

Mk III: Anti-submarine warfare version of Mk II with ASV III radar in a blister under rear fuselage, 852 built

Mk IV: Mk II (number P9976) fitted with a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine with 1,850 hp (1,380 kW), first flight 11 November 1944, abandoned in favour of Fairey Spearfish.

Mk V: Griffon 37 engine with 2,020 hp (1,510 kW), payload increased to 2,000 lb (910 kg), ASH radar under the left wing, revised tailfin, 37 built

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Operations

Ship-Base Barracudas

Land-Base Barracudas

Variants

Other Operators

Other Variants and Uses

HMS Atheling

HMS Colossus

HMS Emperor

HMS Formidable

HMS Furious

HMS Glory

HMS Illustrious

HMS Implacable

HMS Indefatigable

HMS Indomitable

HMS Pretoria Castle

HMS Puncher

HMS Queen

HMS Rajah

HMS Ravager

HMS Smiter

Fairey Barracuda crash landing on HMS Smiter. In the background is the destroyer HMS Walker
Fairey Barracuda crash landing on HMS Smiter. In the background is the destroyer HMS Walker

HMS Theseus

HMS Trumpeter

HMS Venerable

HMS Vengeance

HMS Victorious

Land-Base Barracudas

HMS Ariel – Warrington

HMS Ariel was a Royal Navy air radio mechanics training establishment.

HMS Condor – Arbroath

HMS Cormorant – Gibraltar

HMS Daedalus – Lee-on-Solent

HMS Merlin – Donibristle

HMS Urley Ronaldsway – Isle of Man

RNAS Trincomalee – Sri Lanka

Variants

Prototypes

Fairey Barracuda Mk.I

Fairey Barracuda Mk.II

Fairey Barracuda Mk.III

Fairey Barracuda Mk.V

Other Operators

Fairey Barracuda in Netherlands Naval Aviation Service

Fairey Barracuda in French Air Force Service

Other Variants and Uses

Lifeboat Trials

A Fairey Barracuda Mk III was modified to enable it to carry a lifeboat which could be dropped to downed aircrew or sailors. The lifeboat, was 17 ft, 9 ins long, and was dropped by parachute. The lifeboat was self-righting and self-baling. It was equipped with sails and an outboard engine which gives it a range of 120 miles at 4 knots.

A trial was undertaken at the Naval Air Station at Lee-on-Solent in September 1945. Although 24 lifeboats were built, there are no records of them being used operationally.

Special Operations

In July 1944, Fairey Barracuda Mk.II P9575 was fitted with “Cuda Floats”. These were intended to carry a paratrooper, while a container under the fuselage contained equipment. Although trialed successfully, they were not deployed operationally.

In addition to the Cuda Floats, the Barracuda was used to trial an airborne delivered radio station which was contained in a pod beneath the fuselage.

Detailed Photos

Construction