Supermarine Swift

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Swift

The Supermarine Swift was a British single-seat jet-propelled fighter aircraft
that was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was developed and
manufactured by Supermarine during the 1940s and 1950s. The Swift featured many
of the new jet age innovations, such as a swept wing. On 26 September 1953, a
Swift F.4 piloted by Commander Mike Lithgow broke the world absolute speed
record, reaching a speed of 737.7 mph (1,187 km/h); thus, the Swift was the
world's fastest aircraft.

After a protracted development period, the Swift entered service as an
interceptor aircraft with the RAF in 1954. However, due to a spate of accidents
incurred by the type, the Swift was grounded for a time, and experienced a
relatively brief service life. These issues with the Swift led to a public
scandal surrounding the aircraft, harming the reputations of the British
government, the RAF, and the aircraft industry.

Ultimately, the less problematic Hawker Hunter assumed much of the intended role
for the type and only half as many Swifts were manufactured as had once been
intended. A later-produced photo reconnaissance variant of the Swift had
resolved some of the teething problems that the type had suffered from, but this
proved to be too late for it to regain favour. An advanced derivative of the
Swift that was to be capable of transonic speeds, the Supermarine 545, was also
under development during the early 1950s; however, in 1955, it was cancelled
principally due to the poor performance of the Swift.


Role
Fighter

Manufacturer
Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd.

First flight
29 December 1948 (Type 510)

Introduction
1954

Retired
1967

Status
Retired

Primary user
Royal Air Force

Number built
197

Developed from
Supermarine Attacker

Developed into
Supermarine 545

In February 1954, the Swift F 1 entered service with the RAF, No. 56 Squadron
became the first RAF squadron to operate the type; upon its introduction, the
Swift became the RAF's first swept-wing aircraft. The Swift F 2 entered service
that same month; Wood refers to the type's introduction as having been
"panicked", and that this adoption soon proved to be an "abysmal failure".
Tragedy struck very early in the career of the Swift: there were a number of
accidents that involved the F 1 and F 2, one of these being fatal. In August
1954, it was decided that the Swift F 1 would be grounded; the Swift F 2, which
had effectively replaced the F 1 in that same month, was also soon grounded
alongside it due to similar reasons.

The improved Swift F 3 and F 4 fighters were noted to have improved performance
over their predecessors; the F 4 would be the last variant that the RAF would
accept in the interceptor role. All fighter variants of the Swift were withdrawn
from service by the RAF, after a short time in service, to be replaced by the
more capable Hawker Hunter. While subject to its own problems, the Hunter had
quickly proved to be a successful fighter aircraft. By autumn 1954, the issues
with the Swift had become public knowledge and reports of the pending
cancellation of the Swift were being printed by the national press;
Under-Secretary of State for Air Sir George Ward stated of the aircraft in
Parliament that: "Aerodynamic difficulties have been encountered, and it is not
possible to say with certainty if they can be overcome in version under
development".

By its last variant many of the problems that had plagued earlier Swifts were
resolved but the programme was not continued. The Hunter, performing
satisfactorily in the same roles, removed any requirement to persist with the
Swift.

Specifications (Supermarine Swift FR Mk 5)

General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m)
Wingspan: 32 ft 4 in (9.85 m)
Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.02 m)
Wing area: 328 ft² (30.5 m²)
Empty weight: 13,435 lb (6,094 kg)
Max. takeoff weight: 21,673 lb (9,381 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Avon RA.7R/114 turbojet Dry thrust: 7,175 lbf (31.9
kN)
Thrust with afterburner: 9,450 lbf (42.0 kN)


Performance
Maximum speed: at sea level 713 mph (1148 km/h)
Range: 630 mi (1,014 km)
Service ceiling: (service) 45,800 ft (13,960 m)
Rate of climb: (initial) 14.660 (74.5 m/s)

Armament

2 × 30 mm ADEN cannon and provisions for bombs and rockets





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