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It's not often that I actually post threads but the recent flux of post-war British threads has gone me thinking.

By 1958/59 the Royal Navies Fleet Air Arm was aware that it was going to need a new supersonic capable fighter for the 60’s. The DeHavilland Sea Vixen, although just introduced was already essentially obsolete due to its purely subsonic capability when put into contrast against the Soviet MIG 21 and the U.S. F-8 Crusader. Furthermore, what would become the F-4 Phantom also flew in the same year, leaving the FAA even further behind in terms of technology. Ultimately, the FAA decided to look into a number of potential domestically deigned aircraft for service in the 70’s and 80’s while a RR Spey powered F-4 Phantom was procured as an intermediate solution. However, with the cancellation of the CVA-01 in 1966 and the decision to scrap the CTOL carrier fleet in the 70’s the future carrier fighter was cancelled and the F-4 Phantom became the mainstay of the CTOL fleet until it’s scrapping in 1978.

Therefore, the question I am asking is, based upon the assumption the RN intends to continue with CTOL carriers into the future and based upon the assumption that in order to avoid obsolesce in the 1960’s the FAA needs a supersonic (Mach 2?) capable fighter, what would be the best option to serve it until at least the mid to late 70’s? Specifically, what domestically deigned fighters (built or un-built) would be a good choice for the role instead of buying from foreign sources?

Some of the aircraft that appear to best fulfil the role are:

  • Supermairne/BAC Type 583: This Variable Geometry fighter was proposed in two versions; a conventional CTOL version and a V/STOL version, intened into two versions, one fighter and one strike. It was the most developed aircraft and was intended to enter service circa 1970. After the 1966 Labour defence cuts it became part of the Anglo-French Variable Geometry project that ultimately evolved into the PAVAVIA Tornado. The Type 583 was a relatively small fighter, designed to be able to fit onto the small British carriers. The VG wings were to allow the fighter good supersonic capabilities but also slow landing speeds, as well as an improved combat radius. Has the advantage of possible Anglo-French co-operation.
However, the VG technology was largely untested and could have proven extremely costly if and when problems arose.

  • Supermarine/Vickers Type 576: A supersonic, two man, all weather capable fighter bomber developed from temperamental Supermarine Scimitar. The Scimitar was originally developed as a fighter and many of its flight problems came from the fact that it was hastily re-rolled as a strike fighter while the bulk of the mechanical problems were down to dodgy fuel and hydraulic lines. Most of these were sorted in the aircraft latter years of service and Supermarine eventually perfected blown flap technology that gave it such poor high altitude flight characteristics. Has the major advantage that it is already proven technology and good equivalent in performance and appearance to the U.S. F-4 and could have been in service by 1964.
However, the Scimitar had a bad reputation and I’m unsure how well development would have gone, or how well it would have performed.

  • Hawker P.1121: Hawkers supersonic (mach 2) Hunter replacement. Unlike the other two fighters, a prototype was built but never flew. Designed primarily as an interceptor but would have probably been a good fighter bomber (not as capable as the Phantom, which was designed as such). The aircraft would have been a good competitor to the F-4 sand Mirage series. It could probably have been in service by 1963/1964.
However, it does have a number of drawbacks. It only has a single engine – a definite no no with the FAA (and MOD in general) as well as poor viability over the nose, making landings on the small RN carriers particularly hazardous. Furthermore, since it was designed originally as a land based fighter, its high landing speeds would have made landing difficult and would probably require expensive upgrades to the carrier arrestor gear.





Thoughts and opinions?

Russell
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