Supermarine Swift (1954 - 1961)

The Swift was developed to specification F.105, the contract being raised as a fall-back in the event of there being problems with the Hunter. The first stage in the evolution of the Swift was the Supermarine 510 (VV106) which was intended as a high speed fighter built to specification E.38/46; it flew on 29 December 1948. It had swept wings and tail combined with an Attacker fuselage and incorporated the latter's tailwheel undercarriage. In due course it was fitted with an arrestor hook and as the Supermarine 517 made carrier deck landings on HMS Illustrious.

Type 517 VV106 preserved at RAF Cosford

The second prototype (VV119) was designated Supermarine 528. It was later fitted with an afterburning Nene engine, a lengthened nose and tricycle undercarriage as the Supermarine 535. Via the Supermarine types 510 and 535, the Swift evolved from the straight-wing Attacker; 100 were ordered in 1950 and another 100 from Short and Harland in 1952. Performance problems led to cancellation of many of the fighters although the type served for some years in the fighter-reconnaissance role.

Type 535 VV119 in flight

Pre-production aircraft WJ960

F Mark 1 The Type 541 flew first in production form on 25 August 1952 (WK194). It was fitted with two 30mm Aden cannon, had a fixed tailplane and an Avon 108 without reheat. Development problems delayed entry into service with 56 Sqn until February 1954. Twenty were built, several being used as prototypes for later variants.

Service Fighter 56 Other AFDS

F Mk 1 WK194 featuring belly fuel tank and rockets

F Mark 2 The Mark 2 first flew in December 1952 and sixteen were built. The version differed from the F Mk 1 in having four cannon and a cranked wing and like the earlier version it also served with 56 Sqn. Serviceability of the Swift was generally poor and it lasted just over one year in service before being replaced by the Hunter.

Service Fighter 56 Other AFDS

Swift Mk 2 WK242/P of 56 Sqn

F Mark 3 The Mark 3, of which 25 were built, was similar to the F Mk 2 but with reheated engines. This version was to have formed a second Swift squadron but in the event none were issued to operational units, most serving as instructional airframes.

F Mk 3 WK195, a Mk 1 conversion in overall silver finish

F Mark 4 The Type 546 was to have comprised the balance of the 100 initial order. Of the intended 39, although most were built, only eight were flown, the balance being converted to the FR Mk 5. The sole refinement added to the F4 was a variable incidence tailplane.

Swift F Mk 4 WK198 which flown by Mike Lithgow broke the world air speed record on 26 September 1953 at 735.7 mph

FR Mark 5 The Type 549 represented an attempt to salvage something from the Swift programme. The first aircraft of the new variant, XD903, flew on 25 May 1955 and the type entered service with the RAF in February 1956, being replaced by the Hunter FR10 in 1960. The FR Mk 5 featured a longer nose with three F.95 cameras and it was armed with two Aden cannon. A 220 gallon ventral fuel tank was fitted as standard and the wing incorporated a saw-tooth leading edge.

Service Fighter-reconnaisance 2, 4 Other AFDS; CFE; FTU

Swift FR Mk 5 XD962/J of 2 Sqn

FR Mk 5 WK261/S of 79 Sqn

PR Mark 6 The Type 550 was an intended unarmed strategic reconnaisance aircraft but problems with reheat on the Avon at altitude led to the project being still-born.
F Mark 7 The Type 552 Mark 7 was the final Swift version built in small numbers (twelve) for guided weapons trials. Cannon armament was deleted and the wing span increased by three feet. The engine was the more powerful Avon 716.

Service Trials 1 GWDS; GWTS; ETPS

F Mk 7 XF119 of the GWTS with Fireflash AAMs

Specifications and production

Mark	Role	Engine	Thrust	Weight lbs	Speed mph	Numbers
F1	Fighter	Avon 108	7,500	15,800	660	20
F2	Fighter	Avon 108	7,500	15,800	660	16
F3	Fighter	Avon 114	7,500	15,800	660	25
F4	Fighter	Avon 114	7,500	15,800	660	8
FR5	Fighter-recce	Avon 114	7,175	21,673	713	94*
PR6	Photo-recce	not built
F7	Fighter	Avon 716	9,950	21,500	700	12

Notes

* Including 31 F4 conversions

Further reading

Birtles, P Supermarine Attacker, Swift and Scimitar Ian Allan, London, 1992