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Supermarine Scimitar

From Alfawiki
Supermarine
IndustryAerospace
Founded1913
FateMerged into British Aircraft Corporation in 1960
Headquarters
Southampton
,
United Kingdom


Template:Infobox aircraft

The Supermarine Scimitar was a British single-seat naval strike aircraft operated solely by the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. It holds the distinction of being the last aircraft to be fully designed and constructed by Supermarine.

The Scimitar evolved from an earlier project internally called Type 505, which was a fighter designed without landing gear, intended to operate from flexible "rubber decks". Many design elements, including its distinctive V-tail (also referred to as a "butterfly tail") and slender straight wings, were inherited from this predecessor. However, the British Admiralty later revised their specifications, requiring a conventional landing gear system. Consequently, Supermarine developed the related Type 508, featuring a larger wing and retractable undercarriage. The Type 508 completed its maiden flight on 31 August 1951. This was soon succeeded by the modified Type 529 and Type 544, with the latter serving as the direct prototype for the production variant that first flew in January 1956.

Production aircraft began delivery in 1957, allowing the Scimitar to enter Royal Navy service the following year. It was primarily employed as a low-level strike platform capable of carrying nuclear armaments. Even before its introduction, it had been surpassed as a fighter by other types such as the de Havilland Sea Venom and de Havilland Sea Vixen. The Scimitar experienced a relatively high accident rate during its operational tenure. In its later years, it was often utilized as an aerial refuelling tanker. The type was ultimately withdrawn from service in 1969, replaced by more advanced aircraft like the Blackburn Buccaneer.

Background

The origins of the Scimitar trace back to several naval jet aircraft concepts developed by Supermarine. Official work began in 1945 following a requirement for a fighter without conventional landing gear, designed to land on flexible "sprung" rubber decks. At that time, it was widely believed that eliminating heavy undercarriage components would enable lighter, simpler airframes capable of superior performance compared to traditional carrier-based aircraft. Specifically, removing reinforced landing gear was expected to significantly improve climb rates and acceleration. To maintain a compact and lightweight structure, designers aimed to use the most powerful engines available while minimizing their cross-sectional size. Arranging two engines side-by-side within the fuselage produced a relatively flat profile favourable for undercarriage-less landings.

Supermarine's response to these requirements was the internally designated Type 505, which featured an unconventional V-tail or "butterfly tail" arrangement designed to keep control surfaces clear of jet exhaust flows. Pitch control was achieved through movement of the entire tail assembly; elevators could operate together for pitch adjustments and differentially to provide rudder functions normally handled by a conventional vertical tail. Wide-chord ailerons provided roll control, supplemented by leading and trailing edge flaps, including dedicated dive flaps to assist lift recovery during high-speed flight. The cockpit, similar in design to that of the earlier Supermarine Attacker, was positioned at the nose and pressurized for high-altitude operations. Power came from two Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets installed side-by-side within the fuselage, accessible via removable panels on top of the aircraft. Freed from undercarriage constraints, a thin wing could be adopted; although swept wings were considered, they were ultimately rejected due to uncertainties at the time. Instead, a straight wing with uniform airfoil section was selected, featuring as large a leading edge as practical to delay airflow separation that could cause engine stalls.

Redesign

In 1948, the Admiralty reconsidered their stance on a fighter without landing gear, prompting Supermarine to revise their design by incorporating a nosewheel undercarriage. This updated version was designated the Type 508. The redesign included a retractable nosewheel, building upon groundwork laid during the initial test flights of the Type 505, which had provisions for a conventional undercarriage. Additionally, the aircraft’s acceptable landing speed was lowered, leading to modifications such as increasing the wing thickness from seven to nine percent to enhance lift, alongside an expansion of the wing’s surface area.[1]

The Type 508 marked the first step toward the Scimitar lineage; it retained the general configuration of the unflown Type 505, featuring straight wings, a V-tail, and twin jet engines.[2] The redesign was executed so that, if necessary, an undercarriage-free setup could still be implemented. Furthermore, it was engineered for easy adaptation to meet Royal Air Force specifications. The main structural alteration involved rerouting the wing spars beneath the engines to accommodate the new undercarriage arrangement.[2] In November 1947, Supermarine secured an initial contract for three Type 508 aircraft under Specification N.9/47.[3]

Into flight

The first Type 508 undertook its maiden flight on 31 August 1951 at RAF Boscombe Down. By May 1952, it had begun carrier trials aboard HMS Eagle.[4] The second unit incorporated notable changes including cannon armament and differed sufficiently to warrant reclassification as the Type 529. Its inaugural flight occurred on 29 August 1952.[3] One distinctive modification was an enlarged tailcone designed to house a proposed tail-warning radar.[5] Both straight-winged Types 508 and 529 exhibited relatively moderate top speeds; the Type 529 reached up to 607 mph (977 km/h). It had already been determined by the time of Type 508’s first flight that a third prototype would be redesigned with swept wings to enhance performance.[6] This led to the development of the Type 525, which also featured conventional swept tail surfaces and blown flaps aimed at lowering landing speeds; it first flew on 27 April 1954.[7]

Although this aircraft was eventually lost in a crash, it demonstrated several beneficial performance enhancements including decreased stall speed, reduced angle of attack, improved stability and control at low velocities, and smoother airflow over the wing’s trailing edge.[8] Consequently, the fundamental design was deemed sufficiently validated for officials to authorize development of a similarly styled aircraft, designated Type 544, intended to meet Specification N.113.[9] An order for one hundred units was placed despite the Royal Navy having revised its requirements toward a low-level strike aircraft with nuclear capability, even though it was initially conceived as a fighter.[10]

The first Type 544 prototype took flight on 19 January 1956. Further evolution occurred with the third Type 544 model which incorporated aerodynamic refinements and reinforced airframe structures tailored for its new low-level mission—Flight noted: "To permit uninhibited manoeuvring in thick turbulent air at low levels while carrying heavy loads of strike weapons, the structure is extremely sturdy".[9] To mitigate adverse pitch-up tendencies encountered during high-speed and high-altitude flight, several aerodynamic adjustments were introduced including flared wingtips and wing fences; additionally, the tailplane configuration shifted from dihedral to anhedral. These combined changes established the final Type 544 as the "production standard". The initial production Scimitar took off on 11 January 1957.[11]

The Scimitar was pioneering in several respects: it introduced fuel flow proportioning systems and integral main-plane fuel tanks as well as "blown" control surfaces aimed at reducing landing speeds. It also represented the first British naval aircraft equipped with duplicated fully powered flight controls.[12]

Operational history

File:US Navy and Royal Navy aircraft refueling c1962.jpeg
An 803 NAS Scimitar from HMS Hermes pictured alongside US Navy A-4s, F-8s, and an F-4 above the Mediterranean Sea

Upon its debut, the Scimitar was recognized as the Fleet Air Arm's largest, heaviest, and most powerful aircraft to date.[13] Operational training began in June 1958 with 803 Naval Air Squadron at RNAS Lossiemouth, ahead of their deployment on board the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious in September that year. Shortly after, several squadrons were established around the Scimitar, which subsequently served on carriers including HMS Ark Royal, HMS Centaur, HMS Eagle, and HMS Victorious.[14]

While capable of performing fighter duties, the Scimitar’s interceptor responsibilities were primarily fulfilled by the de Havilland Sea Venom followed by the de Havilland Sea Vixen.[15] The aircraft was eventually succeeded by the Blackburn Buccaneer.[16] Initially retained as an aerial refuelling tanker to compensate for the underpowered Buccaneer S.1 during carrier launches, the Scimitar enabled the Buccaneer to take off with a lighter fuel load and then refuel immediately after departure.[17] Towards the later stages of its service life, from 1965 to 1970, sixteen Scimitars were operated by the Fleet Requirements Unit (FRU) stationed at Bournemouth Airport (Hurn).[18][19] Managed by Airwork Services, the FRU provided realistic flight support for both naval land-based and sea-based training units.[20]

Notable accidents

During the early years of Scimitar operations, most Royal Navy carriers were relatively small compared to the aircraft’s considerable size and power, a factor that likely contributed to numerous landing mishaps.Template:Fix/category[citation needed] The type experienced a notably high attrition rate—39 units were lost in various incidents, representing over half (51%) of all produced aircraft.[21]

A significant accident occurred on 25 September 1958 aboard the recently recommissioned HMS Victorious in full view of media representatives. An arrestor wire failed while Commander John Russell’s Scimitar (serial XD240) was landing. Russell, who led 803 Naval Air Squadron, was unable to eject due to canopy constraints and despite rescue attempts by a Westland Whirlwind planeguard helicopter crew, he tragically drowned when his aircraft sank.[22][23] British Pathé News later documented this incident.[24] Upon recovery of the wreckage, it was discovered that Russell had opened the canopy but was hindered from escaping because he was secured by ejector seat leg straps and his dinghy lanyard.[25]

Another fatal incident took place on 19 November 1958 when Sublieutenant C.R. Cresswell ejected from his Scimitar (serial XD247) after losing height over the Black Isle in the Scottish Highlands.[26] His parachute failed to fully deploy, resulting in a fatal fall near his ejection site approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) away from where his aircraft crashed. He was transported to Raigmore Hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.[27][28]

Variants

File:Supermarine 508 two-view silhouette.png
Supermarine 508 experimental aircraft

Forerunners

Type 508
Research aircraft featuring straight wings.
Type 529
Research model with straight wings.
Type 525
Research aircraft equipped with swept wings.

Experimental models

Type 544
Prototype developed for the Scimitar F.1, with three units constructed by Vickers-Armstrong Experimental Department at Hursley Park.

Operational version

Scimitar F.1
Single-seat, multi-role fighter produced by Vickers-Armstrong at South Marston, totaling 76 aircraft. The initial procurement plan in 1952 called for 100 units but was later reduced to 76.

Operators

Template:UK

Preserved aircraft

Registration Location Remarks
F.1 XD220 File:Supermarine F-1 Scimatar - Flickr - p a h.jpg Empire State Aerosciences Museum, New York State, USA Previously displayed at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, New York; currently loaned from the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
F.1 XD317 File:VS Scimitar F1 XD317 112-R (6877465755).jpg Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, England
F.1 XD332 Solent Sky Museum, Southampton, England

Specifications

Template:Aircraft specs

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, pp. 298-299.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Andrews and Morgan 1981, p. 299.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named IAPR 2 p158-9
  4. ↑ Mason 1992, p. 376.
  5. ↑ Buttler 2008, p. 56.
  6. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, pp. 299-300.
  7. ↑ Buttler 2001, pp. 159–160.
  8. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, p. 300.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Supermarine Scimitar." Flight, 1957. Retrieved: 5 August 2013.
  10. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, pp. 300, 303.
  11. ↑ Buttler 2008, pp. 62–63.
  12. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, p. 303.
  13. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, p. 304.
  14. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, pp. 304-305.
  15. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, pp. 305-306.
  16. ↑ Andrews and Morgan 1981, p. 306.
  17. ↑ Buttler 2001, p. 167
  18. ↑ Buttler 2001, p. 168
  19. ↑ Birtles 1992, p. 96
  20. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  21. ↑ sfn|Stoddart|2022|p=79
  22. ↑ "Flight & Aircraft Engineer." Flight International, 2593, October 1958.
  23. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  24. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  25. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  26. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  27. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  28. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 16.
  30. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 58.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 81.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 125.
  33. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 138.
  34. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 141.
  35. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 152.
  36. ↑ Sturtivant & Ballance 1994, p. 448.

Resources

  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Supermarine Aircraft Since 1914. London: Putnam, 1981. ISBN 978-0-370-10018-0.
  • Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Supermarine Aircraft since 1914. London: Putnam, 1987. ISBN 978-0-85177-800-6.
  • Birtles, Philip. Supermarine Attacker, Swift and Scimitar (Postwar Military Aircraft 7). London: Ian Allan, 1992. ISBN 978-0-7110-2034-4.
  • Buttler, Tony. "Database: Supermarine Scimitar". Aeroplane. Volume 36, No. 12, Issue No. 428, December 2008.
  • Buttler, Tony. "Type Analysis: Supermarine Scimitar". International Air Power Review. Norwalk, Connecticut, USA:AIRtime Publishing. Volume Two, Autumn/Fall 2001, pp. 158–173. ISBN 978-1-880588-34-5, ISSN 1473-9917.
  • Buttler, Tony. X-Planes of Europe II: Military Prototype Aircraft from the Golden Age 1946–1974. Manchester, UK: Hikoki Publications, 2015. ISBN 978-1-90210-948-0
  • Mason, Francis K. The British Fighter since 1912. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1992. ISBN 978-1-55750-082-3.
  • Stoddart, Paul J. "Sharpening the Scimitar: Could Supermarine's Naval Jet Fighter Ever Have Been World Class?" The Aviation Historian, January 2022, Issue 38, pp. 78–32. ISSN 2051-1930.
  • Thetford, Owen. British Naval Aircraft since 1912. London: Putnam, 1978. ISBN 978-0-370-30021-4.
  • Sturtivant, Ray and Theo Ballance. The Squadrons of The Fleet Air Arm. Tonbridge, Kent: Air-Britain (Historians), 1994. ISBN 978-0-85130-223-2

Further reading

  • Ford, John. "The Case for the Scimitar: The Royal Navy's Cold War Fighter Revisited." The Aviation Historian, October 2022, Issue 41, pp. 68–72. ISSN 2051-1930.
  • Gibbings, David and J.A. Gorman. Scimitar. RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, UK: Society of Friends of the Fleet Air Arm Museum, 1988. ISBN 978-0-948251-39-9.
  • Morgan, Eric and John Stevens. The Scimitar File. Tunbridge Wells, Kent: Air Britain (Historians), 2000. ISBN 978-0-85130-323-9.

External links

  • File:Commons-logo.svg Media related to Lua error in Module:Commons_link at line 62: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). at Wikimedia Commons
  • Supermarine Scimitar at the Thunder and Lightnings website

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