16 мая 1957г.: первый полет на экспериментальном перехватчике Saunders-Roe SR.53 выполнил сквадрон-лидер Джон Бут, развив скорость М=1,33.
The Saunders-Roe SR.53 is a single-seat interceptor powered by a de Havilland Spectre rocket engine and an Armstrong Siddeley Viper jet engine.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

XD145 at Boscombe Down close to the date of its first flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

SR.53 на земле
The experimental mixed-power Saunders-Roe SR.53 made its first flight on May 16, 1957. Designed as a supersonic high-altitude interceptor powered by a de Havilland Spectre rocket and Armstrong Siddeley Viper turbojet, the type was to be developed into the SR.177, which was never built and was cancelled in December 1957. The intakes for the Viper, immediately aft of the canopy, are conspicuous.
XD145, the first of two Saunders-Roe SR 53 mixed rocket- and jet-powered prototype interceptors that were to lead to the projected larger Saunders-Roe SR 177. The power for the SR 53 was provided by a 1,640lb s.t. Armstrong Siddeley Viper ASV8, fed by two small intakes just aft of the cockpit canopy, plus a hefty 8.000lb thrust DH Spectre rocket engine using High Test Peroxide in place of the more volatile liquid oxygen. XD145's maiden flight took place on 16 May 1957 with the Company Chief Test Pilot at the controls. Sqn. Ldr. John Booth, who also took the second SR 53. XD151 aloft just under seven months later, on 8 December. Capable of Mach 2 in level flight at 36.000 feet, SR 53 and SR 177 development was halted following the destruction of XD151, on 5 June 1958. According to the accident investigation, Booth, for reasons unknown, had decided to abort the take-off from Boscombe Down and had deployed the braking 'chute. Unfortunately, distance was not on Booth's side, the aircraft overshot the end of the runway, striking an approach lighting pole and exploded, killing Booth.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

XD151 in the SBAC static display at Farnborough, 5th September 1957.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.53 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

Самолет SR.177 был дальнейшим развитием SR.53. К моменту закрытия программы был построен натурный макет, и началась постройка прототипа.
The full-size wooden mock-up of the SR.177 at Cowes, November 1957, showing the undernose intake for the Gyron Junior turbojet.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.177 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957

SR.177 model in Royal Navy colours

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Saunders-Roe SR.177 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1957