British Forces

Blackburn Skua in flight.

An interesting example of a peacetime "compromise" aircraft, the Skua was developed as a two-man fighter/dive bomber for the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It was innovative in a number of respects, notably its all-metal body construction, unique among British naval aircraft at the time. Unfortunately, by the time it entered service in 1938, it was obsolete, at least as a fighter, notwithstanding its armament of 4 forward-firing, wing-mounted machine-guns. The Skua enjoyed some early successes in WW2. On 26 September, 1939 a Skua off the Ark Royal (803 Squadron) shot down the first German warplane to be destroyed by a British fighter - a Dornier Do 18 flying boat. Further success was recorded against German shipping in the course of the Norwegian campaign (the Skua was nothing if not an effective dive-bomber). The highlight occurred on 20 April, 1940, when Skuas of 800 and 803 Squadrons, based in Orkney, attacked and sank the German light cruiser, "Konigsberg" in Bergen harbour - the first large German warship to be destroyed by the Allies in WW2. Things went downhill from there. Once German fighter defence became established in Norway, it became evident that the Skua as fighter was nothing like a match for the MeBf 109E. On 1 May, 1940, a force of Skuas from 800 and 803 Squadrons was virtually wiped out by 109s while attempting to bomb German shipping at Narvik. On 13 June, 1940, Skuas of 800 Squadron, attempting to bomb the "Scharnhorst" at Trondheim, were shot to pieces by 109s of II/JG77. The Skua continued in service for some time after, but with limited success. It was withdrawn from frontline service in 1941, although its immediate successor - the Fairey Fulmar - was not really much better. Like the Boulton Paul Defiant, surviving Skuas served to the end of the war as training aircraft and target tows. Best regards, JR.