Corgi AA36302.(C) Fairey Swordfish Mk.I Royal Navy W5856/A2A No810 Squadron, HMS Ark Royal 1939

W5856, the oldest surviving Swordfish in the world, was built in 1941 by the Blackburn Aircraft Company at Sherburn-in-Elmet. Situated between Selby and Leeds, this plant was built as a wartime shadow factory to take over production of Swordfish from the Fairey company. W5856 was flown from Sherburn-in-Elmet to Lichfield on 21 October 1941. Very little is known of the aircraft whilst she served in the Mediterranean. In September 1996 W5856 was adopted by the City of Leeds and now proudly wears the CityGÇÖs coat of arms and name on her port side just forward of the pilotGÇÖs cockpit. W5856 is painted in the pre-war colour scheme of an aircraft serving in 810 Squadron from HMS ARK ROYAL.