If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
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 * |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
UK2 WJ965 Supermarine Swift 1.jpg | Joseph Testagrose | Aviation Photos | 0 | December 13th 14 01:56 PM |
UK2 WJ965 Supermarine Swift.jpg | Joseph Testagrose | Aviation Photos | 0 | December 13th 14 01:56 PM |
UK2 WJ965 Supermarine Swift 1.jpg | Joseph Testagrose | Aviation Photos | 0 | December 12th 14 05:41 AM |
UK2 WJ960 Supermarine Swift 2.jpg | Joseph Testagrose | Aviation Photos | 0 | December 12th 14 05:41 AM |
UK2 WJ960 Supermarine Swift 1.jpg | Joseph Testagrose | Aviation Photos | 0 | December 12th 14 05:41 AM |