The Supermarine Swift was a single seat swept-wing fighter designed by Joseph Smith and built by Supermarine (Vickers) as a development of the "straight wing" Supermarine Attacker. The Supermarine Swift first flew in 1948 and entered RAF service in 1954. A total of 197 Swift's were built, some were destined to remain in service until the 1970's. Although the Supermarine Swift never saw action it is of note that a Supermarine Swift FR.4 piloted by Commander Mike Lithgow broke the world absolute speed record with a speed of 737.7 mph (1,187 km/h) in Libya during September 1953. The picture above depicts a Supermarine Swift FR.5, this variant featured a longer nose than other models which contained extra reconnaissance cameras and entered RAF service in 1956. Supermarine Swift FR.5 Specifications: - Crew: Pilot only
- Length: 42 ft 3 in (12.88 m)
- Wingspan: 32 ft 4 in (9.85 m)
- Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.02 m)
- Empty weight: 13,435 lb (6,094 kg)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 21,673 lb (9,381 kg)
- Engine: Single 9,450 lbf (42.0 kN) Rolls-Royce Avon RA.7R/114 afterburning turbojet
- Maximum speed: at sea level 713 mph (1148 km/h)
- Range: 630 mi (1,014 km)
- Service ceiling: (service) 45,800 ft (13,960 m)
Armament: - Twin 30 mm ADEN cannons
- Under-wing mounted bombs and rockets
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