Blackburn Dart
The Blackburn Dart was a carrier-based torpedo bomber biplane designed and manufactured by the British aviation company Blackburn Aircraft. It was the standard single-seat torpedo bomber operated by the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) between 1923 and 1933.
| T.2 Dart | |
|---|---|
| Blackburn Dart T.2, N9541, 461 Flight, HMS Furious, c. 1930 | |
| Role | Torpedo bomber |
| Manufacturer | Blackburn Aircraft |
| First flight | October 1921 |
| Introduction | 1922 |
| Retired | 1933 |
| Primary user | Royal Air Force (Fleet Air Arm) |
| Produced | 1922–1928 |
| Number built | 118 (plus eight Swift export models) |
| Variants | Blackburn Velos |
Work on what would become the Dart started in 1919 as a private venture. Originally known as the T.1 Swift, it performed its maiden flight in September 1920. Three aircraft were ordered for evaluation purposes to fulfil Air Ministry Specification 3/20, which received the name Dart. First flown in October 1921, its performance quickly impressed officials and a production order was issued to Blackburn on behalf of the FAA. The Swift name was retained for the pursuit of export sales. Limited quantities were supplied to multiple overseas operators, including the Japanese Navy, Spanish Navy, and the United States Navy. Additionally, Greece opted to procure a modified seaplane variant of the aircraft, the Blackburn Velos, which was operated by the Greek Navy as a torpedo bomber.