The Swordfish has an enduring reputation as one of the finest warplanes of the Second World War. This reputation resulted from its anachronistic biplane airframe and a combination of ruggedness, reliability, versatility in terms of weapons and equipment, and such completely viceless handling characteristics that it could be flown in most weather conditions from carriers ranging in size from the largest fleet carriers to the smallest of escort carriers. The type, universally known as the 'Stringbag', resulted from a 1930 requirement for a carrierborne aeroplane to serve in the spotter, reconnaissance and torpedo bomber roles. The first of four prototype and pre-production aircraft flew in March 1933. Successful trials let to orders for and eventual 989 aircraft. Fairey built 689 and the remainder were Blackburn-built machines. Service deliveries began in July 1936 and by the beginning of the Second World War the Fleet Air Arm had 13 operational Swordfish squadrons.

The Swordfish only entered Canadian service in 1943, and was primarily used by the Royal Canadian Navy as training Aircraft.

The Swordfish received the Stringbag nickname not because of its construction but because of the seemingly endless variety of stores and equipment that the aircraft was cleared to carry. Crews likened the aircraft to a housewife's string shopping bag which was common at the time and, which due to its having no fixed shape, could adjust to hold any shape or number of packages. Like the shopping bag, the crews thought the Swordfish could carry anything.