The Swordfish Mk I, a torpedo bomber first flown in 1934, is due to undergo GBP1 million worth of restoration at BAE Systems' Military Air Solutions facility at Brough as part of the Company's heritage programme to help preserve the UK's military history.

The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB ADC, said: "BAE Systems has given the Royal Navy Historic Flight significant support over the years. These aircraft are a national treasure. The offer to add a second flying Swordfish to the collection, particularly in our Centenary year, is such a magnificent and generous gesture, not just for the Royal Navy Historic Flight, but for the heritage of future generations."

BAE Systems' close involvement with the Swordfish continues a long tradition of the Company's support to preserve the history of the UK's armed services; this includes support for Riverside Museum in Glasgow, Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford (GBP6 million over the past several years), the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, and the Yorkshire Air Museum.

Work on the Swordfish is due to begin shortly and will include repair of the tail plane, wings and surrounding support work in order to restore the aircraft to flying condition for the Royal Navy Historic Flight (RNHF). The RNHF, who own three Swordfish, was established at Yeovilton in 1972 to preserve the UK's Naval aviation heritage, and to be a living memorial to all those who gave their lives in the Fleet Air Arm in the service of their country.

Kevin Taylor, Managing Director of the BAE Systems' military aircraft business, is particularly proud of Brough's involvement with the Swordfish.

"The site specialises in advanced engineering and manufacturing services, and this latest restoration project represents another interesting challenge for the small team of skilled engineers who will be involved in it. I am confident they will do a great job, as they have in the past, and take real personal pride in the end result".

Speaking of the restoration project, John Beattie, General Manager of the Royal Navy Historic Flight said, "BAE Systems have already helped us greatly by restoring the wing spars on the Swordfish LS326, a problem that threatened to ground the type almost indefinitely. They have manufactured complex new wing spars, which are long lengths of thin sheet steel rolled into shape and riveted to form a 15 foot long beam that has to be strong in any direction. Very few Bristol Pegasus' engines survive and continuing to keep them running has also become more of a challenge each year. This is all very costly and it is only through the dedicated work of maintenance crews together with generous support from Industry and other fund raising initiatives that we can continue operating these lovely old aeroplanes."

The restoration project is expected to involve many months of painstaking work. "The problems can be overcome in some areas by new manufacture" said John Beattie, "but as has always been the case with naval aviation, ingenuity will be a vital part of the refurbishing. BAE Systems have also restored Sea Hawk, Firefly and Sea Fury aircraft for flight in recent years."

The Swordfish, or 'stringbag' as she was known, entered service in 1936, by all normal standards it was already obsolete at the outbreak of WW2, however it proved more than its worth by remaining in operational service throughout the whole of the war, and thereby gaining the distinction of being the last British bi-plane to see active service.

The Swordfish has a distinguished history of battle honours, including the attack on the Italian Battle Fleet at Taranto in November 1940, the operation to destroy the German Battleship Bismarck in May 1941 (re-enacted with a Swordfish for the film 'Sink the Bismarck'), and the ill-fated operation against German Battle cruisers such as the Scharnhorst, as they made their famous 'Channel Dash' in February 1942.

The action cost the lives of 15 men of the Fleet Air Arm but their outstanding bravery in pressing home the attack earned CO Lt Cdr Eugene Esmonde the VC.

But the Swordfish carved its name in history for one main reason; protecting the Atlantic convoys. It was the introduction of air power at sea which turned the tide in the Allies' favour in convoy operations and the contribution made by Swordfish aircraft to this endeavour is legendary, accomplished under the most appalling weather conditions, often at night and with the arctic hazards of snow and ice on the decks.

The secret of the Swordfish lay in its handling qualities which made it uniquely suitable for deck flying operations enabling it to sink more than 300,000 tons of German and Italian shipping and destroy over 20 U-Boats.

Operating from adapted merchant vessels, the Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC Ships), Swordfish aircraft offered vital air cover to convoys, causing the U boats to remain submerged and ineffective so that by 1944 no allied shipping was sunk in the North Atlantic at all.

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