[Cruver Collecter]

Found a couple of sources that indicates that the Warspites Fairey Swordfish was the first FAA aircaft to score a U-boat kill. "On 13 April a Swordfish catapulted from the battleship HMS Warspite sank U-64, the first of many U-boats to be sunk by the Fleet Air Arm." So wonder if it was also the first U-boat kill by an aircraft for WWII also. Have to do some more digging to see what I can dig up. With the first FAA sub kill, think this would make for another good paint scheme for a Swordfish on floats.

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

Sorry, meant to say the first U-boat sunk by an aircraft.

The first kill for an aircraft only, as opposed to aircraft operating with ships was U-31 sunk by a Bomber Command Blenheim on March 11, 1940. Interestingly she was lost in German waters and raised. Put back into service she was sunk a second time on November 2, 1940 by HMS Antelope.

U-55 was sunk in the English Channel on January 30, 1940 by combine attacks by British and French warships plus a Sunderland of 228 Squadron. This is the first kill where an aircraft helped and received partial credit.

The Warspite Swordfish was the first FAA kill. The FAA sank 31 U-boats during the war. Coastal Command bagged 155.

The best web source for all the U-boat trivia is uboat.net - The U-boat War 1939-1945

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

The first kill for an aircraft only, as opposed to aircraft operating with ships was U-31 sunk by a Bomber Command Blenheim on March 11, 1940. Interestingly she was lost in German waters and raised. Put back into service she was sunk a second time on November 2, 1940 by HMS Antelope.

U-55 was sunk in the English Channel on January 30, 1940 by combine attacks by British and French warships plus a Sunderland of 228 Squadron. This is the first kill where an aircraft helped and received partial credit.

The Warspite Swordfish was the first FAA kill. The FAA sank 31 U-boats during the war. Coastal Command bagged 155.

The best web source for all the U-boat trivia is uboat.net - The U-boat War 1939-1945

Cool information. I was able to dig up the name of the pilot for this action W.M.L. Brown. Be neat to see a model done of this plane.