List of Fleet Air Arm aircraft in World War II

This list deals specifically with aircraft of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm (FAA) during World War II.
The FAA operated aircraft from Royal Navy ships, mainly aircraft carriers but also including capital ships and cruisers, as well as from land bases defending ports and attacking enemy shipping.
Carrier aircraft of World War II.
Torpedo bombers.
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was the FAA's Torpedo bomber at the start of the war and probably the FAA most famous aircraft. It also was designed for reconnaissance/spotting and later in the war it was replaced in the frontline torpedo role and given anti-submarine duties from escort carriers.
Fairey Albacore
The Fairey Albacore was intended as a replacement for the Swordfish fulfilling the same roles with an improved engine and enclosed cabin. Went into service in 1940-1943 but was replaced by the Barracuda before the end of the war.
Fairey Barracuda
An all metal monoplane torpedo-bomber/dive bomber, the Barracude was the last British torpedo bomber to enter service during the war, serving from January 1943.
Grumman Avenger
This aircraft came into service by the FAA in November 1943. Was originally called Tarpon but was changed to Avenger when for changed to using the US names.
Dive bomber.
All FAA torpedo bombers except the Grumman Avenger could also act as dive bombers
Combined fighter and dive bomber -the Skua could carry a single 250lb or 500 lb. bomb under the fuselage and four 40lb bombs or eight 20lb Cooper bombs under the wings.
The British took over French order for 50 Vought Vindicators after the Battle of France. Modified for British requirements, they were given the service name "Chesapeake". After brief service with 811 Naval Air Squadron in 1941 they were withdrawn from frontline and used for training.
Reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance came from planes that had been designed to undertake this role as well as an offensive role such as a fighter or bomber:
Other.
Training after withdrawal as carrier fighter.
Non-carrier shipborne aircraft.
Fighters.
Sea Hurricane IA
The Sea Hurricane mk IA was a catapult only aircraft that was carried and launched from CAM ships. These ships only had the facilities to launch the aircraft so that if no land bases were available nearby the pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft in the sea when fuel ran out.
Reconnaissance & ship artillery spotter.
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was deployed from normal Royal Navy ships with floats through an aircraft catapult on board the ship in order to do recon or act as an artillery spotter for the ship. Artillery spotting involved the Swordfish tracking the fall of shot from its ship and relaying back where it landed to help its ship make adjustments to their guns aim to be more accurate. 
The Supermarine Walrus was a seaplane designed to be operated off battleships and cruiser for reconnaissance and as a spotter for the main armament. There were only two occasions on which it was used as a spotter but it was used for reconnaissance and air sea rescue throughout the war. With improvements in radar it was removed from some of the capital ships as it was rendered obsolete in its other role in patrolling for axis subs with ASV radar
Land based aircraft.
Torpedo bombers.
The Beaufort was derived from a medium bomber and was used by the Fleet Air Arm from 1943 until the end of the war. The Beauforts operated could use both torpedoes and bombs and lay naval mines.
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Beaufighter was an interim heavy fighter based on the Bristol Beaufort. It was used for attacks on Axis shipping by FAA and RAF Coastal Command. The main variant used by the FAA was the Beaufighter Mk X as used by 772 Naval Air Squadron and 728 Naval Air Squadron. In addition to the four 20mm Hispano Mk.II autocannons they carried, they were armed with either eight RP-3 rockets or a single torpedo. They were equipped with ASV radar.