Supermarine Scimitar
Supermarine · United Kingdom · first flew 1956 · fighter
The Supermarine Scimitar was a large single-seat naval strike fighter that became the Fleet Air Arm's first swept-wing carrier aircraft capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons. It featured a unique blown-flap system to achieve safe carrier approach speeds.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.84 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Royal Navy's first swept-wing carrier jet
- Twin Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets buried in wing roots
- Boundary-layer control blown flaps for carrier approach
A large, broad-winged swept-wing jet with two intakes low on the fuselage sides feeding wing-root turbojets, a short and blunt nose, and a butterfly-pattern exhaust arrangement; larger than contemporaries like the Sea Vixen.
Specifications
- The Supermarine Scimitar has a length of 16.84 m (55 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.33 m (37 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1185 km/h (736 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flying in 1956, the Scimitar entered FAA service in 1958 with 800 Naval Air Squadron. Despite its advanced capabilities, the type had a poor safety record with numerous accidents and was replaced by the Buccaneer from 1969. It also served as a tanker late in its career.
Variants
The production Scimitar F.1 was the sole variant to see service; earlier prototypes included the Type 508 and 525 development aircraft. No other marks were produced.
Where you'll see it
Served exclusively with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm aboard carriers such as HMS Ark Royal and HMS Eagle from 1958 to 1969; relevant to UK aviation history as the FAA's first supersonic-capable carrier type.
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