Fairey Barracuda

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Bad landing.
Given the text that accompanied this photograph, it is surprising the Admiralty illustrated a successful operation with a photograph of a bad landing. In fact, the repeated attempts by the Fleet Air Arm to damage and sink the Tirpitz using the Barracuda underlined the inadequacy of this aircraft - too slow and an insufficient bomb load - to make a sufficiently destructive attack. The text states that the aircraft was involved in "another successful Fleet Air Arm operation against the German battleship Tirpitz ", one of the series of attacks made at the end of August 1944. However, analysis of Ultra signals intelligence showed that Tirpitz had not sustained any significant damage during these attacks. Tirpitz was eventually destroyed by three hits with 5,400kg Tallboy bombs
Verso: "The Fleet Air Arm strikes Tirpitz. On board a Royal Navy aircraft carrier during another successful Fleet Air Arm operation against the German battleship Tirpitz and enemy shipping off Norway." "Picture shows;- A Barracuda makes a bad landing and hits the crash barrier. Bits of the propeller can be seen flying in the air. No one was injured." "Must not be published before Sunday papers of September 10th 1944."
Source: Admiralty photograph. Crown Copyright
19.1cm x 13.8cm Gelatin silver print
 
Fairey Barracuda with an airborne lifeboat
There had been several occurrences of the crew of a sunken ship being found far out in the sea sailing the ships' cutter back to Britain or another friendly coast. Also, there was concern at the loss of valuable aircrew when downed in the sea. The well-known dingy designer Uffa Fow was approached to come up with an airborne lifeboat that could carry up to ten men with all the necessary emergency equipment and stores to assure their survival and radios to assist a rapid recovery. This photograph shows an airborne lifeboat fixed under a Fairey Barracuda (mk 2 or 3, see ASV radome just aft of the lifeboat). The aircraft, maybe MX613, is on an aircraft carrier - note the arrestor wires - and it would appear to be very cold - mittens, gloves and fur-lined hood are the order of the day.
18.1cm x 13cm Gelatin silver print
 
WRNS air mechanics, 1945WRNS air mechanics are training to repair what appears to be a worn-out Fairey Barracuda. They are wearing overalls - quite a revolution for the time - with headscarves and white shoes!
Verso: A text describing how this work by the WRNS helped to establish Allied air superiority - the photograph is from 1945 - and that many of the women entered the service directly from school.
19.8cm x 14.2cm Gelatin silver print
The source of all the post text above and pictures :

Women in the Navy

Various views
www.navtechlife.com
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Armouring a Fairey Barracuda
Nothing seems to frighten these trainee WRNS as they winch 250lbs bombs up to the wing of a Fairey Barracuda. A Petty Officer - the same as in the torpedo photograph above? - supervises the winching operation from on top of the wing. The WRNS in the middle of the group has what looks like a specialist badge on the belt of her overalls.
Verso: A text underlines the important role of the WRNS in the Fleet Air Arm along with a description of the winching operation.
14.2cm x 19.8cm Gelatin silver print
 

I believe 228mph is the Mk.I

Mk. II could make at least 240mph

Any stats available for the Mk.V?
 
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