UK: 70 years after wartime airplane takes to skies again

Seventy years after flying during the war and the victory over Japan 'VJ Day' and the end of the Second World War. The world's oldest surviving Royal Navy Swordfish biplane will take to the skies again over London this weekend to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory.

This Royal Navy Swordfish biplane will take to the skies over London this weekend to mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory over Japan Day – VJ Day

Built during the Second World war in 1941 and astonishin still flying 74 years later, the swordfish MK1 W5856 is maintained by the royal Navy Historic Flight as a living memorial to all those who have flown the aircraft from ships at Sea over the past few years.

The airplane played a crucial role protecting wartime convoys from attacks by U-boats in the battle of the Atlantic, sunk the Italian fleet at Taranto and crippled the German’s mighty Bismarck battleship in 1941.

The Swordfish played a crucial role protecting wartime convoys from attack by U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic, sunk the Italian fleet at Taranto and crippled the German’s mighty Bismarck battleship in 1941

The Swordfish survived series of anti-aircraft fire and Japanese kamikaze attacks while leading the way in the pounding of enemy territories during the war. The aircraft truly sybolizes the great carrier aviation heritage 'said Veteran pilot Donald Randle from Northleach'

The Japanese finally surrendered on August 14, 1945 following the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, The next day, Wednesday August 15, was celebrated as Victory over Japan (VJ) Day and the Japanese formally surrendered on September 2 1945 at a ceremony in Tokyo Bay aboard USS Missouri....

Royal Navy pilot Lieutenant Simon Wilson, who will be flying the Swordfish over London this weekend, said: ‘The Swordfish epitomises the ethos and spirit of the Fleet Air Arm and the important part played by naval aircraft in the history of our country.

Photo credit: +Daily Mail /Lee Howard