Belgische Luchtmacht [Belgian Air Force] Supermarine 545 Superswift

[Leading Observer]

Belgische Luchtmacht [Belgian Air Force] Supermarine 545 Superswift
The origins of the Type 545 can be traced back to the early 1950s and the Royal Air Force's (RAF) interest in developing transonic aircraft to serve as a stopgap while the next generation of supersonic fighters were being developed. Two rival aircraft manufacturers, Supermarine and Hawker, separately prepared proposed such aircraft, both choosing to design derivatives of their respective Swift and Hunter fighter aircraft, these being the Type 545 and Hawker P.1083 respectively. During February 1951, Supermarine made its initial submission; it was formally accepted by the Air Ministry roughly one month later.
At this stage, the Swift programme was in development and its shortcomings were yet to become apparent, this fortunate timing is a factor that aviation author Derek Wood accredits as a major reason for Supermarine's submission having received greater favour over Hawker's bid amongst RAF officials reviewing the two proposals.
The Type 545 had been drawn up to conform with the requirements stipulated within the Air Ministry's Specification F.105D; it was projected to have been capable of attaining Mach 1.3. Externally, the Type 545 bore a crude resemblance to the Swift, and would have served as a spiritual successor to it. However, the aircraft was radically redesigned, having been furnished with an area-ruled fuselage amongst other changes. One of the most visually prominent feature of the Type 545 was its unorthodox crescent-shaped wing, which was envisioned as heavily contributing to the aircraft's performance characteristics, particularly during supersonic speeds. It was paired with a somewhat bullet-shaped fuselage - the lower portion of the fuselage was flattened around the junction with the wings to smooth airflow and avoid the poor low-speed handling characteristics of the Swift. The aircraft's structure comprised a relatively thick exterior skin supported by a thin closely-positioned spanwise web underneath that was claimed to provide the fuselage with an above-average strength-to-weight ratio amongst its contemporaries.[The aircraft was powered by a single Rolls-Royce Avon turbojet, which was fitted with reheat, and supplied with air via a distinctive elliptical intake near the nose.
During February 1952, Supermarine received an order for two prototype Type 545s, both of which were completed by early 1956, with the first flight by XA181 taking place in August 1956, followed by the second protype XA186, equipped with an updated Rolls-Royce Avon in February 1957. Unlike the unfortunate Swift, the performance of the 545 more than matched its designers expectations, and in mid 1958 an interim order was placed for 3 pre-production aircraft and a further 12 production models [to be known as Superswifts], which were delivered to a reformed 695 Squadron at RAF Horsham St Faiths during the summer of 1959. It proved itself to be a capable interceptor at both high and low levels.
However the introduction of the E.E. Lightning into RAF service in 159-60, rendered the Type 565 Superswift redundant and they were relegated to back up roles.
At this time the Belgian Air Force was looking for an interceptor of its own, and the RAF Air Attache in Brussels was asked to sound out his contacts to see if they would consider the Superswift for the role. Notes were exchanged, meetings held and in April 1960 a contract was signed for the Belgian Air Force to take delivery of the 15 RAF Superswifts, together with an order for a further 24 production aircraft and associated spares and engines. The order was completed in 1961 and the Superswift went on to serve the Belgian Air Force for the next decade in a number of roles.

[zenrat]

 

[George the Cat]

Brilliant!!! 👌

[NARSES2]

I like that sir   

[PR19_Kit]

Love it! 

I have 'history' with the 545 as the RW version was at Cranfield when I was doing my HND Auto in the mid 60s. I've no idea what happened to it, but I guess it was scrapped (outrageous!) as it's not on any museum's lists anywhere.

Which kit did you use to build it? I think I have an X-Planes vacform of one somewhere...................

[Leading Observer]

Love it! 

I have 'history' with the 545 as the RW version was at Cranfield when I was doing my HND Auto in the mid 60s. I've no idea what happened to it, but I guess it was scrapped (outrageous!) as it's not on any museum's lists anywhere.

Which kit did you use to build it? I think I have an X-Planes vacform of one somewhere...................

Hi Kit - it's the Lost British Projects (On Facebook)1/72 3-D printed resin model. I removed the solid canopy moulding and opened up the cockpit to add a Martin-Baker seat and used an Attacker canopy.

[PR19_Kit]

Magic stuff, it really looks the part. 

[Gondor]

Love it! 

I have 'history' with the 545 as the RW version was at Cranfield when I was doing my HND Auto in the mid 60s. I've no idea what happened to it, but I guess it was scrapped (outrageous!) as it's not on any museum's lists anywhere.

Which kit did you use to build it? I think I have an X-Planes vacform of one somewhere...................

In the late 1970's, I am sure I saw it in a hangar at RAF Swinderby, where I did my basic training, or learning how to march in a straight line.

Gondor

[PR19_Kit]

`Wikipedia says it was scrapped in 1967, but they've been wrong before, mainly because you're not allowed to correct things that they say, even if you know for CERTAIN that they're wrong! 

[Gondor]

It's possible that it became an instructional airframe. I will have to dig into the books I have, see what I can find.

[chrisonord]

Marvellous 

[royabulgaf]

Beautiful mode of a doomed airplane.  Sad, but as the late Roy Bqaybrook said about its competitor- paraphrased-  Anyone who gets all misty eyed at the P1083 should look at a Northrop F-5 to see what a real transonic airplane looks like

[Glenn Gilbertson]

That looks really good!

[comrade harps]

 

I was unfamiliar with this aircraft until now. At first l thought the nasal projection was a radar fairing, a la F-86D.

Side on, it reminds me of the Swiss FFA P-16

[Wardukw]

Very very nice LO mate