Comments by "David Elliott" (@davidelliott5843) on "Battle of Cape Matapan: Just Four Minutes to Cripple a Fleet" video.

  1. The Swordfish was not “that” old. First introduced in 1936. The Hawker Hurricane came in 1937. Spitfire in 1938. Flying any plane off a carrier heaving through North Atlantic swells was a serious problem. The only plane capable was the Fairey Swordfish and the type flew throughout WW2. Yes, it was slow, but it’s was virtually a STOL aircraft that could accurately launch a heavy torpedo. You could not have short takeoff AND high operating speeds all in the same plane. Even the clever Harrier was restricted on range and payload unless it took off conventionally.
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  2. Paul Marmol Nazi Germany did not have an operational aircraft carrier. But even if it had, they didn’t have a plane that could operate usefully in the Atlantic swells. Swordfish was slow but it was capable of operating while carrying a torpedo and launching it at wave top height without breaking the thing. Zero and Wildcat did not fly in the Atlantic.
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  3. Swordfish was contemporary with the Hawker Hurricane. It was used throughout the war because it gave the capability to lift and launch heavy torpedoes with short take off. It was not safe without fighter cover, but was an effective weapon used throughout the war.
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