Vickers Swallow
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founder | Barnes Wallis (leader of Swallow project) |
| Products | Aircraft concepts including the Vickers Swallow |
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The Vickers Swallow represented a supersonic aircraft concept developed under the leadership of Barnes Wallis at the British aerospace firm Vickers-Armstrongs. This design was a wing-controlled aerodyne, with flight control achieved through the entire wing's movement, serving as the supersonic evolution of the earlier Wild Goose project.[1]
In addition to static model testing on the ground, multiple remotely piloted vehicles were constructed and flown to support research objectives. The envisioned full-scale version was initially planned as an ultra-long-range airliner and was later considered as a possible supersonic replacement for the subsonic Vickers Valiant, one of the RAF's V bombers in active service. The initiative was discontinued in 1957 after government funding was withdrawn.[2]
Development
Following the conclusion of the Second World War, there was considerable enthusiasm for advancing aircraft design by applying insights gained during the conflict. British engineer and innovator Barnes Wallis, a long-standing figure at Vickers-Armstrongs, focused extensively on variable-sweep wing technology and innovative wing configurations. From this work emerged an aircraft concept that eliminated traditional elements such as a vertical stabiliser and rudder, instead relying solely on variable geometry wings for flight control.[3]
Wallis' innovative design attracted governmental interest, prompting collaboration between the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Defence to conduct tests demonstrating its applicability to projectiles, both for experimental research and potential anti-aircraft defence uses. Concurrently, Wallis advocated for development of a manned aircraft utilizing this variable geometry approach.[4]
From this research emerged a new aircraft design featuring a movable delta wing layout, considerably larger than typical long-haul planes of that period. This design became widely known as the Swallow.[5] The full-scale Swallow was envisioned for multiple roles; initially as an ultra-long-range airliner capable of non-stop flights between the UK and Australia, and subsequently as a supersonic successor to the subsonic Vickers Valiant, one of the RAF's strategic bombers.[5]
In 1951, Specification ER.110T was issued by the Ministry of Supply, calling for a piloted variable geometry test aircraft; however, no orders were placed due to shifting operational priorities, leading to its cancellation.[6] Around this period, Specification OR.330 presented another opportunity for variable geometry designs, seeking a supersonic reconnaissance or strategic bomber platform for the Royal Air Force.[5]
By mid-1956, a series of flying scale models had completed test flights with data collected resolving all major technical challenges associated with the Swallow. Nevertheless, government enthusiasm waned amid competing demands, and Vickers lacked sufficient funds to proceed independently with full-scale development. Consequently, Ministry financial support was terminated in June 1957, bringing formal progress on the project to an end that year.[5][7]
Despite its cancellation, international interest in Swallow persisted. In late 1958, research efforts briefly resumed through collaboration under NATO’s Mutual Weapons Development Programme, sharing Wallis’ variable geometry work with American counterparts.[5] Aviation historian James R. Hansen notes that American aerospace engineer John Stack and many NASA engineers showed enthusiasm for the concept; however, the United States Department of Defense declined to allocate resources toward it.[8] Further studies explored various configurations aimed at enhancing performance—these included compact folding tails, incorporation of canard surfaces, enlarged fuselages, and repositioned engine placements.[9] Although it attracted some interest from the United States Navy, competing projects such as the supersonic transport (SST) prevented further commitment to Swallow development.[10]
Citations
- ↑ Morpurgo 1981, p. 348.
- ↑ "Models of cancelled concept aircraft now on display". www.rafmuseum.org.uk.
- ↑ Wood 1975, p. 182.
- ↑ Wood 1975, pp. 184–185.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Wood 1975, pp. 189-191.
- ↑ Wood 1975, p. 189.
- ↑ Morpurgo 1981, pp. 360-361.
- ↑ Hansen 2004, pp. 129-130.
- ↑ Hansen 2004, pp. 130-132.
- ↑ Hansen 2004, pp. 132-133.
Bibliography
- Hansen, James R. (2004). The Bird Is on the Wing: Aerodynamics and the Progress of the American Airplane. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 1-5854-4243-7 – via Google Books.
- J.E. Morpurgo; Barnes Wallis: A Biography, 2nd Edition, 1981. (First Edition, Longmans, 1972).
- Wood, Derek. Project Cancelled. Macdonald and Jane's Publishers, 1975. ISBN 0-356-08109-5.