03 Jun 09. One of the last British bi-planes to have seen active service, the Fairey Swordfish, which helped sink the Bismarck and the Italian battle fleet in WW2, is to be restored to her former glory thanks to the specialist skills of engineers at BAE Systems in this, the Royal Navy’s centenary yearof naval aviation. The Swordfish Mk I, a torpedo bomber first flown in 1934, is due to undergo 1 million worth of restoration at BAE Systems’ Military Air Solutions facility at Brough as part of the Company’s heritage programme to help preserve the UK’s military history. The First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Jonathon Band GCB ADC, said:”BAE Systems has given the Royal Navy Historic Flight significant support over the years. These aircraft are a national treasure. The offer to add a second flying Swordfish to the collection, particularly in our Centenary year, is such a magnificent and generous gesture, not just for the Royal Navy Historic Flight, but for the heritage of future generations.” BAE Systems’ close involvement with the Swordfish continues a long tradition of the Company’s support to preserve the history of the UK’s armed services; this includes support for Riverside Museum in Glasgow, Farnborough Air Sciences Trust, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford (6 million over the past several years), the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, and the Yorkshire Air Museum.