& SCIMITAR
Originally designed
for the RAF, the Supermarine Attacker combined
the wings and landing gear of the Spiteful (a piston-engined aircraft
developed from the Spitfire) with a new fuselage and tail unit to
accommodate the Rolls-Royce Nene jet engine.
The first example flew
in 1946 and after successful carrier trials was
ordered into production for the Royal Navy. Entering service in 1951
145 examples were produced for the Royal Navy, but were obsolete
by 1957. 36 examples were supplied to the Pakistani Air Force.
The Scimitar was derived from a number
of experimental aircraft
developed by Supermarine from the Attacker. Its design included
some area ruling and blown flaps.
First flown in 1956,
and entering service in 1958 the Scimitar
performed the roles of both a low-level supersonic attacker and a
high-altitude interceptor. 76 examples were produced and continued
in service until replaced by the Blackburn Buccaneer
in 1969.
