07.09.2009, 07:33
The 'Applecore' as she became known by her crews, was not a 'disaster' as such, but she did have her good and bad points.
At her peak in 1942, fifteen FAA Sqns were equipped with the Albacore, operating from the arctic circle with Russian convoys, to the Med, Indian ocean and Western desert and the invasion of North Africa..
by the next year however, all squadrons except one had them replaced by the Barracuda.
It never replaced the Swordfish, and if anything, it was used in compliment. Ironically, the Swordfish's service life outlived the plane that was supposed to replace it..
However, it certainly deserves a place in IL2 as an in sevice type that saw a fair slice of the action..
At her peak in 1942, fifteen FAA Sqns were equipped with the Albacore, operating from the arctic circle with Russian convoys, to the Med, Indian ocean and Western desert and the invasion of North Africa..
by the next year however, all squadrons except one had them replaced by the Barracuda.
It never replaced the Swordfish, and if anything, it was used in compliment. Ironically, the Swordfish's service life outlived the plane that was supposed to replace it..
However, it certainly deserves a place in IL2 as an in sevice type that saw a fair slice of the action..