Fairey Barracuda, part eight

The Fairey Barracuda Mk.V was the final variant after it was decided that the Mk.IV would never been produced. On it the Merlin engine was replaced with the larger Rolls-Royce Griffon rated at 2020 hp. Given the increased power and torque effect generated by the new engine, some changes had to be done, which included the enlargement of the vertical stabiliser and increased wing span with wing-tips being clipped.
The first Barracuda Mk.V, which was converted from an Mk.II, flew for the first time on 16th November 1944 and only 30 serial machines were built, with 1 prototype and 6 pre-production ones, before the end of the World War 2. All of them, 37, were manufactured at Fairey's Stockport factory. The Mk.V had also an increased payload of up to 2000 lb (910 kg) to carry either one 1672 lb (759 kg) torpedo or up to that weight in bombs.It was equipped with and ASH radar under the left wing as it was intended for anti-submarine warfare. The defensive machine gun mounted at the rear was also removed as it was assumed that the type would always operate together with fighter escort. It was also expected to be equipped with the RATOG rockets for boosting take-off performance, however it never went beyond testing phase.
After the end of the World War 2, the Barracuda was relegated to secondary roles, mainly being used as trainers. It continued to serve with the Fleet Air Arm until the mid-1950s, but by then most of them were entirely replaced by either the Grumman Avenger or the Fairey Gannet. 
On 24th January 1946 the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), received a batch of 12 radar-equipped Barracuda Mk.II, which were in reality Mk.III as the Mk.II was a Canadian designation. The first acquired aircraft were assigned to the newly formed 825 Naval Air Squadron on board carrier HMCS Warrior (R31). Most of the Canadian aircraft mechanics had served during the war and had been deployed on several British aircraft carriers, like HMS Puncher (D79) and HMS Nabob (D77), which, along some Canadian pilots, the RCN crewed and operated on behalf of the Royal Navy. During 1948 HMCS Warrior (R31) was paid off and returned to the United Kingdom along with the Barracuda aircraft.

Sources:
1. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairey_Barracuda
2. https://www.valka.cz/Fairey-Barracuda-Mk-II-t8638
3. Hall Park Books - Warpaint 35 - Fairey Barracuda