Fairey Barracuda: The troubled torpedo bomber 

Upon seeing a Barracuda and USN liaison on a RN carrier commented " It's an amazing flying machine but it will never replace the airplane".

No wonder Brits worked so hard to figure out how to fly and land Corsairs on carriers. Their procurement options were, “A. it wasn’t a bad aircraft, but it’s wings had the habit of dropping off, and b. It’s top speed is 90 miles an hour……” The US Navy’s approach was, “Hmmmm. We don’t need to land the Corsair on a deck because we have Hellcats which our pilots like better.” What an amazing group of men in the Royal Navy during this time. Hats off to a remarkable group.

You know, I'm starting to question the FAA's decision to name all their strike aircraft after creatures that spend their entire lives underwater...

Brave men. It's nice to actually hear the voices of these men. Unfortunately, many of them are no longer with us today.

My Father was one of those who actually enjoyed flying the Barracuda. He also flew the Seafire and Seafury

I used to know an RAF fitter who was at Boscomb Down when Barracudas were having flight trials, he told me that one went into a dive, the engine carried on down when the plane pulled out of the dive.

Thank you for uploading this video. It is almost impossible to imagine the courage of the aircrew, who flew an aircraft they knew was hopeless for the job they had to do. It seems that more of them were killed by the plane itself, than in actual combat.

"Weighs six tons, got no front guns, fuck all to rely on. What will we do with the Barracuda II. Old iron, old iron" A ditty I remember reading in a collection of WW II poems/dittys.

My dad trained to fly Catalinas in Oban, Scotland,. Nearby there was a torpedo range where Barracudas and other bombers would practice their business. He said of all the aircrew he'd met, the torpedo bomber crews had it the worst. Typically, he said, he'd be walking down from the hotel where he was billeted to the dock to catch the boat to his Catalina when he'd hear a crash, and the sirens would go off and the flags would go up, and he knew another torpedo bomber had "pranged".

I'm very grateful for this being posted, my dad flew in these and never said much about it. Brave men.

The way he so matter of factly says 'The wings kept dropping off, which wasn't the best of things ' :)

So nice to hear the voices of the men who flew them

Great to hear the pilot/crew voices

The 'Big Barra' was beset with problems - it was originally designed around the weight and thrust specifications for the Rolls Royce 24cylinder Exe engine, but when development was halted on that, the Mk.1 ended up with the Merlin 30. Not only was this significantly less powerful, it was lighter and produced less torque through a smaller propellor disc. So not only was their less power to get out of trouble, the airframe was unbalanced and shook itself to pieces. The wing spars failures and tail unit failures were linked to stress fractures caused by this imbalance as the twist to counteract the Exe's greater torque shimmied in the Merlin's slipstream. Another problem was as stated the change from stable biplanes to a high wing monoplane, it took instructors by surprise. The Swordfish and Albacore were so stable, if one got into trouble the smart thing was to release the stick and let the aircraft right itself. Try that in an unbalanced, high wing, high tail Barra and it flipped upside down. A design flaw was the priority on a good view for the observer, which dictated the high wing. The observer did indeed get a superb view from a pair of bay windows amidships, but the cost was high - the Fairey-Youngman flaps were now well above most of the slipstream and thrust of the propellor, which gave them a significant increase in lift. At higher speeds if the pilot retracted the flaps in anything other than straight and level, the sudden loss of trim would push it over into an uncontrolled departure.

“They couldn’t find anything wrong with it” Sounds like what software developers tell users after the release of a bad product”that’s not a bug, it’s a feature” I love the matter of fact tone of the Brit pilots “it wasn’t such a bad plane… there was a problem with the wings staying on”

"If it looks right, it flies right." The Barracuda looks almost French.

ALWAYS great to hear from the men that were there.

The book Barracuda Pilot by Dunstan Hadley is essential reading for anyone with an interest in this aeroplane. Although maligned by many, the book shows the Barracuda in an honest and at times humourous light. It was an aeroplane designed to be too many things at once and subsequently had unique looks and flying characteristics. But; a now sadly deceased ex FAA Barracuda TAG family friend said of them (as the book regularly implies) that once a pilot properly knew the aircraft, it was capable of performing well. Incidentally the footage between 0:43 and 0:48 isn't a Barracuda. It's an Amercian Douglas Dauntless under FAA evaluation with twin American 0.30" Brownings.

Remembering the anecdote of the chap who passed out behind the controls of one because due to some flaw his cockpit was on the receiving end of a fine mist of hydraulic fluid. Came to to find himself in a spin hurtling towards the ground and recovered, though as can be imagined the experience was yet another blow to the pilot’s gradually-eroding endurance.

My father (an RAF LAC) saw a wooden model in a shop window made by someone who had seen one flying when it was still on a secret list. There was quite a kerfuffle later on when it had to be hidden. A visiting American saw these kites on one of our carriers and asked "You Limeys build aircraft?" (one appreciates his tone of disbelief on seeing a Barracuda).

you've made another gem with the voices of the men who flew them. kudos!

Superb, I love the old interviews. I love these guys humour and understatement. Very surprised to hear the compliments...!

I think the Barracuda would have been considered state of the art had it come into operational service in '39 to '40 (as it was from a '37 program), but only a prototype flew in '40. Looks like another typical case of the British giving priority to the RAF programs, some of which was justified, but others not so much. So the Barracuda didn't come into service til '43, which is about the time an aircraft, with its specs, really should have been starting to be replaced in the fleet. By then, it was inferior to the already operational Grumman Avenger (except for dive bombing, which the Avenger wasn't really designed for since the US Navy had a dedicated dive bomber) which had come into service in '42 (despite being a later 1940 program).

Excellent selection of genuine reminiscences, much more authentic than a lot of RU-vid channels. I found this especially interesting having had a late uncle who was an FAA pilot flying Albacores (in the western desert and during the invasion of Sicily) and then Barracudas (the Merlin engined ones during Operation Tungsten and Griffon engined Mk5s for a while post war. What an incredible generation.

A real world beater?! Respect to the crews.

Great content as always. Love listening to the original interviews.

I love hearing the voices of these brave men. Sadly most of these fine gentlemen are gone now.

Unique footage and interviews excellent piece. For every Spitfire and Mosquito there was a Barracuda and a Manchester! Hats off to the crews. I wonder how many men and how much material were lost flying and building this monster

Another great episode, many thanks!

When were these interviews recorded? I would imagine that most of these aircrew and pilots are now in their very late 90s or early 100s if they are still with us. Keep up the great work.

Very interesting to hear the old sweats talking about this intriguing aeroplane. My dad was in the RAF during WW2 first bomber command then coastal command as ground crew working on all sorts of aeroplanes too. He worked on these also but, the worst he ever saw, was the Blackburn Botha - he said was lethal to its own crew in pretty much all regards and also the Saro Lerwick 'an absolute pig of a flying boat' he said.

Excellent stuff. Thank you as always!! And merry Christmas to you

A friend Was a TAG on the barracuda and had many story's of their adventures flying from Hatson and the Furious Alan Thompson great Guy RIP

My father, a FAA Leading Air Mechanic, said they were a pig to work on as the engine was so high off the deck and the wings were prone to all sorts of trouble.

You really have great content. Do keep it up!

I think it a fair assessment that the British got frigating unlucky as the Fairey Barracuda needed to enter service in 1942 as planned instead of the 10th of January 1943 9 days after the Grumman Avenger joined the British Royal Navy on New year's day 1943

Blinking brilliant. Every time.

The fact that it was largely replaced by the Avenger speaks volumes.

Was that Capt. Winkle Brown who gave a favourable account of the Barracuda? I have great faith in Winkle Brown's judgement as he was such anexperienced airman, but I expect he would be prepared to admit that the Barracuda was underpowered, as were many aircraft of those days. I am doubtful that the wings were in the habit of breaking off in flight, as some critics allege. The first Typhoons were liable to break up in the air, but the problem was soon fixed and it became a reliable plane.

The magazine: Worker And War-Front Magazine, sure did a good job of making the Barracuda look like an incredible plane, and the music was a big part of it. And calling the plane "the wolf of the sea" was funny. Maybe more like "the goldfish in the pond".

A really very good video. Thank you. My Father, D. L. Hadley (RN Barracuda pilot) would have enjoyed it. At minute 13:25 the air to ground shot was taken during the Sigli Raid, Northern Sumatra, on 18 September 1944, in which my Father at the age of 23, participated. Smoke following the bomb bursts can be seen over the target area.

Another excellent video, thank you. Sadly the RN had to suffer many inadequate aircraft, several of them from Fairey. I wonder if the Barracuda would have been a better success if it had the intended Griffon ? No wonder the American aircraft were so welcomed...

Yes ..... mind boggling phlegmatic stoic courage.

Outstanding channel! Great concept to have all the thoughtful commentary from Pilot veterans. Cheers from the States. 🇺🇸💛🇬🇧

Merry Christmas thanks for another great video

Fantastic film - thank you.

Fantastic video! Interesting to hear all the different opinions, sounds like a perfect storm of steep learning curve, gremlins and a fundamentally flawed engine choice that spoilt an OK plane that was tasked with too many roles

Awesome! Great video 👍

Excellent channel!

Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 32 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,640 hp (1,220 kW)

Yeah I suspect the Fairey Barracuda was not the aircraft the British Royal Navy were planning to have as i suspect the Fairey Spearfish was what the Royal Navy really wanted

Top Christmas present. Cheers :)

To the tune of Any old iron. Weighs 6tons no front guns f**k all to rely on. You know what you can do with the Barracuda 2 old iron old iron.

I think the most telling comment is " It was supposed to have the Rolls Royce Griffon engine, but the RAF pinched them all" . Without any power you were stuffed whichever way you look at it.

Fascinating.

Well it wouldn't surprise me if the British Pacific Fleet pilots were thankful that they were flying Avengers instead of Barracudas.

It's great choice for them to switch over to the Grumman TBF/M Avenger, Grumman always know how to build carrier based aircraft or naval aircraft.

I enjoy hearing the comments of these English Gentlemen of their greatest generation.

Ed Nash sent me, excellent video.

My father flew there as CO of 822 and later as Wing Leader 21TBR in The British Pacific Fleet,

You are what is good about the internet AA. Kudos and keep 'em coming!

Very interesting aircraft of a barracuda I would love to hear more of barracuda action in raid of trpitz and over the Far East.

Ironic that the biplane fairey swordfish ended up the allies most successful torpedo bomber of the entire war. Sometimes the adage “if it ain’t broke” is true

a wing and a prayer

Mr. Harrison managed to pull sea duty on the oldest and most decrepid destroyer of the Royal Navy and then had to go back to Barracudas :P

my dad who was in FAA , (trained to fly corsairs but not required as A bomb dropped ) , was always very scathing about Barracudas and one of his best friends killed on a training flight in one.

Interesting plane

Loving the channel! Could I make a request for a video on the Albacore and Skua when poss please? I love the underdogs :)

, The wings kept dropping off ‘ which wasn’t a good thing 😂

Though very different overall construction the height of the main gear reminds me of the strut of the Grumman Avengers arrangement. I once discovered a downed aircraft site and at a distance I thought the the strut was reminiscent of an Airacobra nose wheel strut but getting closer I realized it was far too robust to be so. It was a GM made Avenger which had be pressed into post war retardant drop service. That main strut was about all I could do to stand vertical for photo. Extremely strong and heavy I noticed a bend from possible crash deflection but no it was made that way and I could identify it by side of installation and brass name plate riveted on it the Crome section gleaming as new.

Absolute dog of a plane,,,, makes me marvel at the bravery of the men that had to prosecute a war in that type of contraption….

Typical, Geordie humour. Anyway, a lovely Xmas present thanks mate. Great work as always!

good video

Best Navy Aircraft in the World!

Thank u for this gift

Flies like …. a fish out of water

The UK is a country which is never really as rich as it seems especially for those at the bottom of society. It was not described without good reason as the best defended slum in the world. These aircraft were produced in straitened circumstances so the surprise was so many good ones did appear. This sort of stuff just had to do with no real choice. We were still flying biplanes as front line fighters 3 years before the war kicked off so all done in a great rush and hurry with new technology. The biplane Hawker Gauntlet with an open cockpit and fixed wheels was the RAF's fastest fighter in 1937 according to my Illustrated History of the RAF. The US had no war at home and immense resources so in a different world.

Was intended to have Vulture engine if I remember right but that was ditch as too unreliable (as used in Avro Manchester) and griffin/merlin fitted (can't remember which off hand) in its place but not enough power plus many other issues. Built a model of it when I was young, which was a long time ago.

Losing a pilot and friend do to the enemy is hard. Losing one to a bad design . . . unimaginable.

The British built some of the most beautiful aircraft in history. They have absolutely built the fugliest.

All military planes had issues and challenges and a lot of young pilots died in accidents. This was true in WWI and WWII and through the 1950's. By the 60's as aircraft tech matured with the development of more rugged and reliable planes and with even more extensive training losses became more manageable.

One landed on a USN Aircraft carrier for some reason and the Americans were at a loss for words as to its strange appearance.

I am looking for information relating to & regarding the connection & history of Fairey Barracuda and the Isle of Man. Thank you .

I have a very simple rule to determine whether or not an aircraft is good. Does it look good, then it usually is good. Does it look fugly like hell, avoid it like the plague. Superficial though it may be, it does work. This aircraft looks fugly as hell.

Thinking about there being no stop on the machine gun, that high tail plane not only was susceptible to being shot by its own gunner, it obstructed the gunner's view and hindered the ability to return fire.

I worked for fairey winches in the 70s. They were part of the same company. Who made the Barracuda.

Hello, ArmouredCarrier, can you give us an episode on the Albacore? I am reading Charles Lamb's "War in a String Bag", which makes me wonder about Fairey's successor to the Swordfish.

What's the best book to read up on this plane

0:20: 🛩️ Challenges of a high-wing monoplane aircraft with potential safety issues and technical shortcomings. 4:35: 💣 Challenges of Fairey Barracuda dive bomber with dive breaks and reputation for being dangerous. 8:39: 🛩️ Challenges faced by the Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber during World War II. 13:24: ✈️ Challenges of operating Fairey Barracuda in hot climates and the switch to American Avengers for better range. 17:34: ✈️ Challenges faced during the development and testing of the Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber. 21:50: ⚙️ Challenges of operating the Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber during dives and trim adjustments. 26:10: 💔 Troubles and tragedies of pilots flying the Fairey Barracuda aircraft. Recapped using Tammy AI

I can’t help wondering what a difference it might have made had these been fitted with a more powerful engine. I’m sure that many of the problems and deficiencies would have persisted but some may have been eliminated. The Manchester also suffered from being under powered but we know what a difference being fitted with proper power plants made to it.

One thing a product of the Bethpage Iron Works will not do is shed parts. How many Barracudas vs Avengers ended up in the fleet?

bombed the tirpitz heavily multiple times

You can be a dive bomber or a torpedo bomber, but it's challenging to be both. That and the lack of a air cooled radial engine were major deficiencies. The airframe structure looks too weak.

I don’t know what was worse, the enemy they were fighting or the airplane’s design

Would a more powerful have made a difference?

2:45 lol lol did you hear that !!!

I guess the tbm avengers were a godsend

What on earth are they doing at 17:00 ? Looks like they catapulted one straight in to the barrier.

Not only is it ugly, it appears to be designed to cause drag

Twin-gun station don't Barracuda's.This is Dauntless guns.