I’m building Airfix’s 1/72 Swordfish. It comes with a bomb load of 8 underwing bombs, as well as the torpedo. Instructions aren’t clear on whether the bombs were carried at the same time as torpedoes, or just one or the other, depending on the mission.
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Probably one or the other. I think the torps were heavy things!
If I remember Taranto correctly for example, some aircraft had a torpedo and others bombs.
Yeap, torpedo or bombs but not both.
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Thanks, but are the empty bomb racks still installed when equipped with torpedoes?
I think the outer rack of 4 (the smaller set) were used to carry things like marker buoys, flares etc. It was probably more hassle than it was worth to remove them so they were left on. I think the Airfix kit does provide some of the buoys for those racks?
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“I think the Airfix kit does provide some of the buoys for those racks?”
So that’s what those extra parts are! I thought they were rockets/flares but they are not mentioned in the instructions. Must be for a different version of the Swordfish. Airfix gives bombs (250 lb.?) for the racks.
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It doesn’t help that Airfix don’t name the different ordnance parts. Bombs and torpedoes are obvious, but things like those can be obscure!
I grabbed a screenshot of the original release instructions and buoys are parts 27D. Strangely the latest boxing has this step left out and only shows the torp fitted. It’s been a while since I’ve looked in the box, but I think Airfix provide a full set for the racks. It’s possible they could also be parachute flares.
Happy to help, if I dig up anything else about them I’ll post.
