Short Feature Build by David Muscroft
I was really quite excited to find this kit (although I must have seen it before) as it fitted in with my current passion for the more obscure aircraft on the market (but they must have been flown by the RAF, FAA, or RAAF or RNZAF).
Background
The Fairey Albacore was a British carrier-based biplane torpedo bomber, designed as the intended replacement for the famous Fairey Swordfish. First flying in December 1938, it entered service with the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm in 1940.
In December 1938, it made its first flight, and by 1943, 800 Albacores had been produced.
In a land-based offensive in May 1940, the Albacore made its active debut with Fleet Air Arm Squadron 826.
First deployed on Royal Navy carriers in November 1940, Albacores later took the place of Swordfish bombers on aircraft carriers such as Ark Royal, Illustrious, and Victorious.
About fifteen Fleet Air Arm squadrons were outfitted with Albacores, and they participated in the raids on Kirkenes (Norway) and Petsamo (Finland) in July 1941, the unsuccessful attack on Tirpitz in March 1942, and the Battle of Cape Matapan off the south-west coast of Greece in March 1941.
By 1944, the type had been phased out, replaced by the faster Fairey Barracuda and American aircraft like the Grumman Avenger.
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