An iconic Royal Navy plane that helped to sink the Bismarck battleship during World War II

Published on May 28 2012 by AnshanJohn

An iconic Royal Navy plane that helped to sink the Bismarck battleship during World War II will perform a flypast during the finale of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant, it has been claimed.

The Fairey Swordfish earned legendary status through its use in World War II (Picture: Flickr/Feggy Art)

The Fairey Swordfish biplane will reportedly fly at the head of a diamond-shaped formation of helicopters above the Thames as the royal family look on from HMS President.

The Sunday Telegraph claimed the biplane, set to star at the end of the 1,000-boat flotilla, is the only one of its kind still flying.

'The Swordfish was deemed a fitting finale for the pageant, being the Navy’s most iconic aircraft because of its crucial role in important military campaigns,' a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

The torpedo bomber was outdated by the start of hostilities in 1939 but flying as part of the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy still went on to take part in operations in the Battle of Taranto and the crippling of the Bismarck.