Saunders-Roe SR.53

Saunders-Roe · United Kingdom · first flew 1957 · fighter

The Saunders-Roe SR.53 was a British experimental mixed-power interceptor that combined a turbojet engine for cruise with a de Havilland Spectre rocket motor for high-altitude sprint interception. It first flew in 1957 and demonstrated the concept successfully before the programme was cancelled.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, delta
E — Engines	1 × rocket, fuselage-mounted
F — Fuselage	13.72 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

British mixed-power interceptor prototype — jet plus rocket
Small delta wing and T-tail
Programme cancelled after two aircraft; led to SR.177

Small sharp-nosed delta-wing jet with a single fin, tiny horizontal tail surfaces, and a distinctive intake arrangement for the combined jet and rocket propulsion — one of the most unusual British aircraft shapes of the era.

Specifications

The Saunders-Roe SR.53 has a length of 13.72 m (45 ft).
It has a wingspan of 7.66 m (25 ft).
Its maximum speed is 1522 km/h (946 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The SR.53 was developed to a requirement for a point-defence interceptor capable of rapidly climbing to intercept high-altitude Soviet bombers. Two prototypes flew before the 1957 Defence White Paper cancelled most British aircraft projects. The more capable SR.177 that would have followed was also abandoned.

Variants

Two prototypes only; the SR.177 was a planned production development that was cancelled.

Where you'll see it

RAF evaluation only; never entered operational service.

Related aircraft

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