Gloster Javelin 1956 - 1968

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The Gloster Type GA.5 Javelin was designed by Glosters to specification F.4/48 for an all-weather fighter capable of a maximum speed of 600mph at 40,000ft. The solution was a large, twin-engined, delta, the first of its kind in the world. The Javelin was also the first fighter to introduce guided weapon armament into the RAF. The first prototype (WD804) flew from Moreton Valence on 26 November 1951; it was followed by four further prototypes. The type was evaluated by an American delegation and the Javelin was ordered in quantity applying much of the £37m funding from the US under the Mutual Defence Aid Plan. The aircraft replaced the Meteor NF Mks 11/12 and Venom NF Mk 3 in service. Its top speed was some 45 mph better than that of the Meteor and its ceiling 12,500ft higher at 52,500ft.

Second prototype WD808 with original nose, cockpit canopy and overfin

F(AW) Mark 1 The Mark 1 was powered by the Sapphire Sa6 and equipped with the AI17 radar. Armament was four 30mm Aden cannon in the outer wing. A total of 40 was built and it joined 46 Sqn in February 1956.

Service Fighter 46, 87 Other CFE

F(AW) Mk 1 XA546 in flight c1956

F(AW) Mk 1 XA564 preserved at RAF Cosford

F(AW)1 XA807/P of 46 Sqn taxying at Odiham 1956

F(AW) Mark 2 The Mark 2 was similar to the F(AW) Mk 1 but equipped with US AI22 (APQ-43) radar in an enlarged radome. It entered service in June 1957 with 46 Sqn.

Service Fighter 46, 85, 89 Other CFE (AWDS)

F(AW) Mk 2 XA808/V of 46 Sqn Honington September 1959

T Mark 3 The trainer variant was built to specification T118D calling for a machine with dual control. The cockpit was redesigned to allow for the rear seat to be raised and an enlarged canopy fitted. External periscopes on the fuselage side assisted the instructor (in the rear seat) to view gun-aiming.

Service Training 3, 5, 11, 23, 25, 29, 33, 41, 46, 60, 64, 72, 85, 87, 151; JIRS; 226, 228 OCU Other FCIRS

Javelin T Mk 3 XH395/Z of 46 Sqn 1959

F(AW) Mark 4 The Mark 4 was similar to the F(AW) Mk 1 but with an all-moving tailplane fitted. 50 were built and the verion served with eight squadrons.

Service Fighter 3, 11, 23, 41, 72, 87, 96, 141 Other CFE (AWDS)

F(AW) Mk 4 XA635/L of 3 Sqn 1960

F(AW) Mark 5 This variant improved on the range of the F(AW) Mk 4 by introducing a new wing with internal tanks for an additional 250 gallons of fuel.

Service Fighter 5, 11, 41, 72, 87, 151 Training 228 OCU Other IAM

F(AW) Mk 5 XA654/J of 72 Sqn

F(AW) Mark 6 The Mark 6 incorporated all the developments of the F(AW) Mk 5 but reverted to the US radar of the F(AW) Mk 2. The type, of which 33 were constructed, was issued to four squadrons including those using the F(AW) Mk 2, which employed both versions concurrently.

Service Fighter 29, 46, 85, 89 Other CFE (AFDS); FTU; IAM

Javelin F(AW) Mk 6 XA824/H of 29 Sqn 1959

F(AW) Mark 7 The Mark 7 was the most numerous of all versions of the Javelin. It was fitted with the Sapphire Sa7 delivering an extra 3,000lb static thrust (11,000lbs) over the Sa6. The fuselage was lengthened to accommodate the engines and revised nozzles were incorporated. Armament was extended to include four wing-mounted Firestreak air-to-air missiles. It had been intended to reduce the cannon armament to two, but delays in Firestreak development led to the retention of the original four guns in many aircraft. The F(AW) Mk 7 entered service with 33 Sqn in July 1958 and with full Firestreak armament with 25 Sqn in December of that year.

Service Fighter 23, 25, 33, 64 Training 228 OCU Other CFE (AFDS, AWDS); 1 GWTS; NGTE; RAE

F(AW) Mk 7 XH714 on manufacturer's trials 1957

F(AW) Mark 8 The Mark 8 was the final production version of the Javelin. It employed the Sa7R Sapphire with partial reheat which enabled it to outclimb and out-turn the Hunter. It used the US radar coupled to a Sperry autopilot. The version also had a revised wing with a slightly drooped leading edge and double rows of vortex generators. Other improvements included simpler engine starting and better windscreen rain dispersal.

Service Fighter 41, 85 Other CFE (AFDS)

Javelin F(AW) Mk 8 XJ130/R of 41 Sqn with Firestreak AAMs

F(AW) Mark 9 The Mark 9 was the definitive version of the Javelin although there were no new build aircraft; all (116) were conversions of the F(AW) Mk 7. They differed from the Mark 7 by incorporating the reheated Sapphire and the wing of the F(AW) Mk 8. Numerous minor improvements were included, although they did not alter the external appearance.

Service Fighter 5, 11, 23, 25, 29, 33, 64, 64 Training 228 OCU Other CFE(AFDS); 12 GFU RAE

F(AW) Mk 9 XH712/K of 29 Sqn with drop tanks

F(AW) Mark 9R This was the Mark 9 with extended range (R). As the RAF lost staging posts between the UK and the Far East in the 1960s, it became important to fit the Javelin with in-flight refuelling. Large probes were fitted to the starboard fuselage and canted underwing pylons accommodated four 230 gal tanks. 22 aircraft were converted. The Javelin was withdrawn from service when 60 Sqn disbanded at Singapore on 30 April 1968.

Service Fighter 23, 29, 60, 64

F(AW) Mk 9R XH874/H 64 Sqn Biggin Hill 1961

Specifications and production

Mark	Role	Engine	Thrust	Weight lbs	Speed mph	Numbers
F(AW)1	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa6	8,000	36,690	710	40
F(AW)2	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa6	8,000	37,200	710	30
T3	Trainer	2xSapphire Sa6	8,000	42,000	640	22
F(AW)4	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa6	8,000	37,480	702	50
F(AW)5	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa6	8,000	39,370	705	64
F(AW)6	Fighter	2 Sapphire Sa6	8,000	40,600	705	33
F(AW)7	Fighter	2 Sapphire Sa7	11,000	40,270	710	142
F(AW)8	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa7	11,000	42,510	702	47
F(AW)9	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa7	11,000	43,165	702	116*
F(AW)9R	Fighter	2xSapphire Sa7	11,000	43,165	702	41+

Notes

* conversions from F(AW)7

+ conversions from F(AW)9

Further reading

Allward, M Gloster Javelin Ian Allan, London, 1983

Butler, A Gloster Javelin: Warpaint 17 Hall Park Books, Milton Keynes, 1998

Lindsay, R Gloster Javelin Marks 1 to 6 Privately published, Stockton-on-Tees, 1976

Lindsay, R Gloster Javelin Marks 7 to 9R Privately published, Stockton-on-Tees