Designed as a replacement for the Fairey Swordfish and Albacore biplanes, the Fairey Barracuda first flew on 7 December 1940. It entered service on 10 January 1943, with its first action being with 10 Squadron aboard HMS Illustrious off the Norwegian coast during July 1943. Although designed as a combined dive bomber and torpedo bomber, it was more often operated as a dive bomber.
On 3 April 1944, a total of 42 Barracudas from HMS Illustrious and Furious attacked the German battleship Tirpitz in the Kåfjord, Alta, Norway. The attacked achieved 16 direct hits, putting the battleship out of action for two months. The follow-up attacks of Operation Mascot and Operation Goodwood were not successful, partly owing to the Barracuda’s slow speed.
On 21 April 1944 Barracudas of No 827 Squadron aboard HMS Illustrious attacked Japanese targets around Sumatra. It was discovered that the prevailing high temperatures in the Pacific affected the performance of the Barracuda by up to 30%. As a result, it was decided to re-equip the fleet carriers with Grumman Avenger aircraft.
Post war, the Barracuda was used as a trainer and was removed from service in the early 1950s.
In addition to the Royal Navy, the Barracuda was operated by the RAF, Royal Canadian Navy, Netherlands Naval Aviation Service (Marineluchtvaartdienst, shortened to MLD) and the French Air Force (Armée de l’air).
Variants
Mk I: First production version, Rolls-Royce Merlin 30 engine with 1,260 hp (940 kW), 30 built
Mk II: Upgraded Merlin 32 engine with 1,640 hp (1,225 kW), four-bladed propeller, ASV II radar, 1,688 built
Mk III: Anti-submarine warfare version of Mk II with ASV III radar in a blister under rear fuselage, 852 built
Mk IV: Mk II (number P9976) fitted with a Rolls-Royce Griffon engine with 1,850 hp (1,380 kW), first flight 11 November 1944, abandoned in favour of Fairey Spearfish.
Mk V: Griffon 37 engine with 2,020 hp (1,510 kW), payload increased to 2,000 lb (910 kg), ASH radar under the left wing, revised tailfin, 37 built
Fairey Barracuda Mk II on HMS Colossus.Fairey Barracuda Mk.II of 827 Sqn HMS ColossusFairey Barracuda Mk II of 827 Squadron takes off from HMS Colossus in July 1945. A Supermarine Seafire Mk IIC is in the foreground
A Fairey Barracuda makes a bad landing on HMS Formidable and hits the crash barrier at speed. Bits of the propellor can be seen flying in the air.A Fairey Barracuda on fire from enemy flak lands on HMS Formidable and the fire is put out by the crash party Aug 1944A Fairey Barracuda on HMS Formidable Aug 1944A Fairey Barracuda maintenance crew on HMS Formidable Aug 1944Bombing up a Fairey Barracuda with a 1600 lb bomb on board HMS FormidableA Fairey Barracuda with its undercarriage damaged makes a landing on the extreme edge of HMS Formidable’s deck. It was rescued by a crane.Barracudas landing on HMS Formidable after attacking the Tirpitz and other enemy ships off NorwayFairey Barracuda torpedo bombers and Vought Corsair fighters on HMS FormidableFairey Barracuda bombers on HMS Formidable August 1944
A Fairey Barracuda being pushed to the lift on board HMS Furious April 1944On board HMS Furious a Fairey Barracuda of 827 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm being bombed up for a strike on the Tirpitz and enemy positions.Fairey Barracuda of 827 Squadron returns to HMS Furious during Operation GoodwoodFairey Barracuda of 827 Sqn taking off from HMS Furious with a 1600 lb bomb to attack shipping and installations off Norway.Fairey Barracuda taking off from HMS Furious to attack Tirpitz on 3 April 1944A Fairey Barracuda taking off from HMS Furious April 1944Fairey Barracuda landing on HMS Furious after an attack on Tirpitz on 3 April 1944A batsman bringing in a Fairey Barracuda of 831 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm on board HMS Furious Fairey Barracuda ‘revving up’ on the flight deck of HMS Furious April 1944Fairey Barracuda Taking Off from HMS Furious with Supermarine Seafire Mk. LIIIsHMS Victorious and HMS Jamaica seen from beneath the wings of Barracudas on the flight deck of HMS FuriousFairey Barracuda pilot of 831 Sqn, being helped with his harness HMS Furious whilst she was off the coast of NorwaySub Lieut C M Lock of Bournemouth is all smiles prior to take off in his plane Stormy Petrel to attack a convoy off Norway 6 May 1944Sub Lieutenant L J Journing of 831 Sqn fixing his harness before climbing into Fairey Barracuda on HMS Furious for attacks on enemy convoys off Kristiansund 6 May 1944
Fairey Barracuda of 837 Squadron suffers a landing incident while working up on HMS Glory on the Firth of Clyde.HMS Glory likely in 1945HMS Glory (R62) anchored at Rabaul, New Britain, Birmarck Archipelago, in September 1945HMS Glory (R62) with HMS Wizard (R72) in the Pacific August 1945
Barracuda torpedo aircraft taking off from HMS Illustrious on the ClydeFairey Barracuda Mk.III ME261 of HMS Illustrious 815 Sqn21 June 1941 Barracudas and Corsairs on the forward end of the flight deck of HMS Illustrious being stowed after the raid on the Andaman IslandsMartlet IV’s Fairey Barracudas and Supermarine Seafires on the flight deck of HMS Illustrious in the North Sea July 1943Fairey Barracuda landing on HMS Illustrious 1948Fairey Barracuda Mk. V RK571 of the ships flight aboard HMS Illustrious 1947-48
Fairey Fireflies and Barracuda Aircraft on HMS Implacable November 1944Barracuda of HMS Implacable go into the Norwegian Coast to attack an enemy submarine escorted by a small destroyer, 27 October 1944.Fairey Barracuda TR.V RK658 of HMS Implacable’s ship’s flight 1948
Fairey Barracuda with bombs loaded, taking off from HMS Indomitable for Padang 24 August 1944Fairey Barracuda on HMS Indomitable August 1944Fairey Barracuda on HMS Indomitable August 1944Fairey Barracuda being armed 23 – 24 August 1944 HMS Indomitable. For a raid on the west coast of SumatraFairey Barracuda of 812 Sqn HMS Indomitable in the Far EastLooking down on the Vought Corsair and Fairey Barracuda aircraft on HMS Indomitable May 1945Fairey Barracuda is being ditched overboard after a crashFairey Barracuda is being winched over the side after a crash
A Barracuda nosed into HMS Puncher’s flight deckHaving snapped its tail hook, this Barracuda was flipped onto its nose by the barrierFollowing a crash on HMS Puncher’s deck during night operations, this Barracuda was jettisoned over the carrier’s side. Note the artworkEleven of the twelve Barracuda’s from HMS Puncher’s 821 Squadron sit ready for take-off in Jan 1945Barracudas of 821 Squadron ranged on HMS Puncher off Norwegian coast with Force 2, during Operation Shred, February 21, 1945Crashed Barracuda is secured to HMS Puncher’s deck following a crashBarracuda’s returned to HMS Puncher following a minelaying operation in Haugesund Fjord, Norway on 22 February, 1945An Avenger and a Barracuda from 778 Service Trails Unit from RN Air Station Arbroath is ready to take off from HMS PuncherA Barracuda of No.821 naval air squadron about to be struck down into the hanger
A Fairey Barracuda slams hard onto Rajah’s flight deck bounces into the air its tail wheel flying off July 1944Fairey Barracuda, August 1944, when HMS Rajah was operating as a deck landing training carrierFairey Barracuda, August 1944, when HMS Rajah was operating as a deck landing training carrierFairey Barracuda, August 1944, when HMS Rajah was operating as a deck landing training carrier
Fairey Barracuda about to take off from HMS RavagerFairey Barracuda landing on HMS RavagerLeft to right an Auster and a Fairey Barracuda being prepared for flight.Fairey Barracuda crashed on HMS Ravager
Fairey Barracuda II of 814 Sqn over HMS Venerable and an attendant destroyer, the Italian Alfredo OrianiFairey Barracuda Mk.II of 814 Sqn from HMS VenerableSmoke curtain installation of a Fairey Barracuda aircraft on board HMS VenerableBombing up a Fairey Barracuda on the flight deck. The bomb is a 500 pound SAPVice Admiral Sir Louis Keppel Hamilton, KCB, DSO, Vice Admiral, Malta, and Flag Officer, Central Mediterranean, being greeted on the flight deck by Rear Admiral Cecil Harcourt, CB, CBE, and his Flag Lieutenant. Behind is the Fairey Barracuda in which he flew.
HMS Vengeance
Fairey Barracuda from HMS Vengeance 812 Sqn Dec 1945Fairey Barracuda from HMS Vengeance 812 Sqn Dec 1945Fairey Barracuda HMS Vengeance May 1951Fairey Barracuda taking off from HMS Vengeance January 1945A Fairey Barracuda landing on HMS Vengeance in the Clyde. The arrestor hook has caught the arrestor wire.Fairey Barracuda of 812 Squadron, HMS Vengeance during exercises off Manus, Australia, when the pilot decided to go round again instead of landing on. The aircraft can be seen pulling up sharply and turning away just in front of the carrier’s islandFairey Barracuda of 821 NAS going round again on HMS VengeanceFairey Barracuda crash on HMS Vengeance in the PacificFairey Barracuda taking off from HMS VengeanceFairey Barracuda Mk.II on HMS Vengeance 812 Sqn Sep 1945 Hong KongCrew of a Fairey Barracuda from HMS Vengeance after they had been forced to land in the sea. All were saved Apr 45
HMS Victorious
Fairey Barracuda taking off from HMS Victorious 23-25 September 1942Fairey Barracuda taking off from HMS Victorious 23-25 September 1942Fairey Barracuda coming in to land on board HMS Victorious during trials of the aircraft.Fairey Barracuda on HMS Victorious 26 April 1944 after attacking a convoy off Bodo, NorwayFairey Barracuda on HMS Victorious 26 April 1944 after attacking a convoy off Bodo, NorwayFairey Barracuda on HMS Victorious 26 April 1944 after attacking a convoy off Bodo, Norway. Vought Corsairs fighters in thebackgroundFairey Barracuda on HMS Victorious 3 April 1944 after an attack on Tirpitz
Land-Base Barracudas
HMS Ariel – Warrington
HMS Ariel was a Royal Navy air radio mechanics training establishment.
Fairey Barracuda at HMS Ariel, Warrington Lancs 27 June 1945
HMS Condor – Arbroath
Visitors to HMS Condor, RNAS Arbroath looking at a Fairey Barracuda 19 September 1945
HMS Cormorant – Gibraltar
A Fairey Barracuda being assembled at HMS Cormorant, Gibraltar January 1944A Fairey Barracuda being assembled at HMS Cormorant, Gibraltar January 1944A Fairey Barracuda after being assembled at HMS Cormorant, Gibraltar January 1944Refueling a Fairey Barracuda after a test flight, HMS Cormorant, Gibraltar January 1944
HMS Daedalus – Lee-on-Solent
A Leading Wren radio mechanic after testing in-flight aircraft radio equipment at Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm StationFairey Barracuda at Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 13-17 September 1943A loaded Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber taxiing Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 13-17 September 1943Fairey Barracuda II (P 9926) from Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 10 November 1943Fairey Barracuda from Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 10 November 1943Fairey Barracuda II (P 9926) from Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm StationFairey Barracuda torpedo bombers from Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm Station in flightFairey Barracuda torpedo bombers from Lee-on-Solent Fleet Air Arm Station in flightFairey Barracuda torpedo bombers from Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station in echelon formation.Fairey Barracudas from Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 10 November 1943Fairey Barracudas from Lee-on-Solent Royal Naval Air Station 10 November 1943
HMS Merlin – Donibristle
Wren Radar Mechanics preparing for a radar test flight in a Fleet Air Arm Fairey Barracuda at Royal Naval Air Station Donibristle
HMS Urley Ronaldsway – Isle of Man
Fairey Barracuda Mk.II DR116 of 710 Sqn Ronaldsway Aug 1945Fairey Barracuda II MD892 713 Squadron FAA from Ronaldsway Aug 1945
RNAS Trincomalee – Sri Lanka
A Fairey Barracuda torpedo-bomber being hoisted on board a transport barge for shipment to the aircraft carrier, RNAS China Bay, Sri Lanka September 1944A Fairey Barracuda torpedo-bomber moored on a barge ready for transport to an aircraft carrier. RNAS China Bay, Sri Lanka September 1944Fairey Barracuda LS672 C8K Ceylon March 1945
Prototype Fairey Barracuda Mk.I P9642Prototype Fairey Barracuda Mk.I P9642Prototype Fairey Barracuda Mk.I P9642Prototype Fairey Barracuda Mk.I P9652Prototype Fairey Barracuda Mk.I P9652Fairey Barracuda I P9667Fairey Barracuda I P9667Fairey Barracuda Mk I (P9659)Fairey Barracuda Mk IFairey Barracuda Mk. I P9661Fairey Barracuda Mk I with folded wingsFairey Barracuda Mk IFairey Barracuda Mk I
Fairey Barracuda Mk.II
Fairey Barracuda Mk II PrototypeFairey Barracuda Mk. II frontFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk II with wings foldedFairey Barracuda Mk.II LS789Fairey Barracuda Mk. II MD717 in flightFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk.II P9682 with a dummy torpedoFairey Barracuda Mk II RK328 having a mine loadedFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk.II MX907 the last Barracuda built by BlackburnFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk.II LS 855 being prepared for delivery 14 Ferry Pool, Air Transport AuxiliarIt to 812Fairey Barracuda Mk II with D-Day invasion stripesFairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk. II 1944Fairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda Mk.II MD893 on a flight testFairey Barracuda Mk II 3C June 1944Fairey Barracuda Mk.II BV760 with early exhaust manifoldFairey Barracuda Mk II BV858Fairey Barracuda Mk IIRoyal Observer Corps personnel grouped around for a talk on the Fairey Barracuda. 1 July 45Fairey Barracuda Mk IIFairey Barracuda over carrier 1945Undercarriage collapse on a Fairey Barracuda while landing on an aircraft carrierUndercarriage collapse on a Fairey Barracuda while landing on an aircraft carrier
Fairey Barracuda Mk.III
Fairey Barracuda Mk III MD837Fairey Barracuda TR.III 300MF of 750 Sqn St Merryn 1951Fairey Barracuda III ME256 of 796 Squadron at St Merryn, circa 1950-52.Fairey Barracuda TR.III RJ921 of 815 Sqn Eglinton Northern IrelandFairey Barracuda Mk.III RJ933 of 815 SqnFairey Barracuda TR.III of 815 SqnFairey Barracuda Mk. III of 815 Squadron Fairey Barracuda TR.III 306MFFairey Barracuda Mk III N6BFairey Barracuda Mk. II 3RM and Mk. III R5Z of 713 Squadron RNAS Ronaldsway October 1944Fairey Barracuda Mk. III N6BFairey Barracuda Mk. III RJ772 landingFairey Barracuda Mk. IIIFairey Barracuda TR.III landing on HMS Nairana
Fairey Barracuda Mk.V
Fairey Barracuda Mk.V prototype PM940Fairey Barracuda Mk. V PrototypeFairey Barracuda TR Mk V LS479, March 1945. The third Mk V prototypeFairey Barracuda TR Mk. V PrototypeFairey Barracuda TR Mk. V Fifth prototypeFairey Barracuda TR Mk. V Fifth prototypeFairey Barracuda V, powered by a Rolls Royce Griffin VII engine at Heston AerodromeFairey Barracuda TR.V RK658 of HMS Implacable’s ship’s flight 1948Fairey Barracuda TR Mk. V RK558 Lee-on-Solent 783 Sqn 1948Fairey Barracuda TR Mk. VFairey Barracuda TR Mk VFairey Barracuda TR Mk. V RK532Fairey Barracuda TR Mk. V RK532Fairey Barracuda Mk. VFairey Barracuda Mk. V with final enlarged pointed fin at Ringway in May 1946
Other Operators
Fairey Barracuda in Netherlands Naval Aviation Service
Fairey Barracuda from 860 squadron landing on NairanaFairey Barracuda from 860 squadron landing on Nairana860 Sqn Barracuda Mk.III on June 30, 1945 on HMS NarainaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) landing on HMS Nairana860 Sqn Barracuda Mk.III on June 30, 1945 on HMS NarainaThe RATOG take-off of a Fairey Barracuda from aircraft squadron 860 (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD)Fairey Barracuda Mk.II aircraft of 860 squadron (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on NairanaFairey Barracuda Mk.III of 860 Sqn on Nairana 1945A Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) landing on HMS NairanaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the flight deck.A Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the elevator of HMS NairanaA Fairey Barracuda Mk.II from 860 Sqn (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) on the flight deck.Fairey Barracuda Mk.II aircraft of aircraft squadron 860 (VSQ 860) of the Naval Aviation Service (MLD) in the hangar.Fairey Barracuda carrier torpedo planes over Fearn (airfield in Scotland) in the years 1943-1945Fairey Barracuda carrier torpedo planes of the Dutch squadron 860 over Ayr (Scotland) in 1945.
Fairey Barracuda in French Air Force Service
French Air Force Fairey Barracuda
Other Variants and Uses
Lifeboat Trials
A Fairey Barracuda Mk III was modified to enable it to carry a lifeboat which could be dropped to downed aircrew or sailors. The lifeboat, was 17 ft, 9 ins long, and was dropped by parachute. The lifeboat was self-righting and self-baling. It was equipped with sails and an outboard engine which gives it a range of 120 miles at 4 knots.
A trial was undertaken at the Naval Air Station at Lee-on-Solent in September 1945. Although 24 lifeboats were built, there are no records of them being used operationally.
Fairey Barracuda Mk.II with a lifeboat fittedA Fairey Barracuda Mk III carrying the lifeboatFairey Barracuda Mk.II with a lifeboat fitted January 1945A Fairey Barracuda Mk III carrying the lifeboat during a demonstration drop off Lee-on-Solent.A Fairey Barracuda Mk III carrying the lifeboat during a demonstration drop off Lee-on-Solent.A Fairey Barracuda Mk III deploying the lifeboat during a demonstration drop off Lee-on-Solent.
Special Operations
In July 1944, Fairey Barracuda Mk.II P9575 was fitted with “Cuda Floats”. These were intended to carry a paratrooper, while a container under the fuselage contained equipment. Although trialed successfully, they were not deployed operationally.
In addition to the Cuda Floats, the Barracuda was used to trial an airborne delivered radio station which was contained in a pod beneath the fuselage.
Fairey Barracuda P9795G with Cuda Floats to carry paratroopersFairey Barracuda Mk.II with Airborne Delivered Radio Station
Detailed Photos
RAF instructor explaining the Fairey Barracuda undercarriage to a Fleet Air Arm fitters. 16 November 1844 at RAF HednesfordFairey Barracuda observer’s stationFairey Barracuda cockpitFairey Barracuda instrument panel
Construction
Fairey Barracudas under constructionFairey Barracudas under constructionFairey Barracuda Mk.II under construction at Blackburn’sFairey Barracudas under construction
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