The B-24 Skua is a carrier-based single-engine low-wing two-seater dive bomber produced by Blackburn Aircraft. It was the first all-metal cantilever monoplane specifically designed for the FAA as well as the first dive-bomber to operate with the Royal Navy. It was named after the seabird which divebombs any potential predators. It was armed with four forward firing .303 machine guns in the wings and a single Lewis gun in the rear fuselage with a 500lb bomb on a sling under fuselage. It was powered by a Bristol Perseus XII 9-cylinder radial engine.

Developed during the mid-thirties, the Skua made its maiden flight in February 1937 and was ordered for production immediately being introduced for service in November 1938. There were 33 Skuas operational at the outbreak of World War 2.

The Blackburn Skua was very much involved in the early stages of the war primarily in the Norwegian Campaign and a number achieved success with the sinking of the German cruiser Konigsberg, the first warship to be sunk by dive-bombers. The type was present at Narvik and the Dunkirk evacuation as well as the early Mediterranean operations. Despite reasonable success the Skua suffered lack of speed and a slow rate of climb making it vulnerable to anti-aircraft fire and fighters and was removed from frontline duties in early 1941 being relegated to training roles and target tug roles until being retired in March 1945.

The Skua initially served with 800 Naval Air Squadron(NAS) aboard HMS Ark Royal with two other squadrons, 801 and 803, being equipped with the type. A raid on the pocket battleship Scharnhorst at Trondheim in June 1940 resulted in 50% losses. It had more success as a fighter against Axis bombers and float planes in Norway and the Med. However, it was deemed too slow to be an effective fighter and removed from duties.