The Fairey Albacore was a British carrier based torpedo bomber designed for the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Designed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish, it was retired from and replaced in service by the Fairey Barracuda and Grumman Avenger, while the Swordfish remained in operation. The last Fleet Air Arm squadron relinquished the type in late 1943. The RAF continued operations until early 1945 with 119 Squadron and the Aden Communication Flight used them until 1946.
Fairey Albacores of HMS Formidable can be found here.
HMS Victorious
Fairey Albacores of HMS Victorious can be found here.
Royal Air Force 119 Squadron
Ground crew manoeuvre a Fairey Albacore Mark I of 119 Sqn RAFGround crew load 250-lb GP bombs onto the underwing loading points of a Fairey Albacore Mk.I of 119 Sqn RAF
Fleet Air Arm 841 Naval Air Squadron
Lieutenant S M Walsh (left), and his observer, Sub-Lieutenant G M Patrick (centre) of No 841 Squadron , are photographed in front of their Fairey Albacore at Manston.Flight crew of 841 NAS are photographed in front of their Fairey AlbacoreFlight crew of 841 NAS are photographed in front of their Fairey AlbacoreFlight crew of 841 NAS are photographed in front of their Fairey AlbacoreA 218 Sqn Short Stirling N3717 and Fairey Albacore of 841 NAS after a crash
Malta Based Albacores
Loading up the torpedoes on a Malta based a Fairey AlbacoreFairey Albacores being bombed up in readiness for an attack on Axis shipping from Malta.Fairey Albacores being bombed up in readiness for an attack on Axis shipping from Malta.Fairey Albacore torpedo bomber of 828 NAS of the Royal Navy, seen at MaltaA Fleet Air Arm air pilot climbs on board his Fairey Albacore for a night mission at a base on MaltaFormation of Fleet Air Arm Fairey Albacores over Malta, GC.
Detail Photos
Bombs being loaded on a Fairey AlbacoreFAA pilot supervises loading of torpedo on his Fairey AlbacoreFairey Albacore engine cowlingFairey Albacore undergoing maintenanceA smile from rear gunner on Fairey Albacore of 826 Naval Air Squadron while the observer checks his chartsThe cockpit of the Fairey Albacore.Cockpit of the Fairey AlbacoreFairey Albacore cockpit
Miscellaneous Albacore Photos
Fairey Albacore line drawingThe deck landing control officer gives a Fairey Albacore pilot the signal to cut his engine during deck landing practice at Arbroath RNASRoyal Air Force cadets loading a torpedo onto an Albacore aircraft during training at Riddle Aerodrome.Fairey AlbacoreFairey AlbacoreHigh Commissioner of New Zealand Mt Jordan inspects a Fairey AlbacoreFairey Albacore May 1942Fairey Albacore with folded wingsFairey Albacore BF708 which served with 821 NAS Jan to Apr 1943Fairey Albacores of 826 Squadron FAA on patrol over Libya 1943Fairey AlbacoreFairey Albacore torpedo bombersFairey Albacore torpedo bombersFairey Albacore I aircraft L7142 from RNAS Worthy Down sprays a mustard gas simulant during trials over the Porton Ranges, June 1940Largest RAF user of the Fairey Albacore outside of the UK was the Aden Communications Flight; X9287 illustrated in early 1946.During a fighter affiliation exercise near Bosham, Hants, on April 9, 1944, Albacore X9117 of 415 Squadron RCAF crashed while making a low turn, killing all four on board.
