Air International 1982-05
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E.Brown - Attacker ... A Belated Beginning /Viewed from the Cockpit/
The E.10/44 prototype in the form in which it was first flown, before "navalisation". It has the original short-span tailplane and broad-chord fin; there are no air bleed doors on the intakes and the cannon have not been fitted.
The Attacker FB Mk 2 was distinguished by its metal-framed cockpit canopy and the wing strongpoints to carry two 1,000-lb (454-kg) bombs and eight 60-lb (27,2-kg) rockets. JATO bottles are also seen here above and below the wing trailing edge.
One of the final Attacker FB Mk Is, built in the interim fighter-bomber configuration but externally identical with the 43 F Mk Is
One of the 43 F Mk Is is shown with wings folded and flush-fitting belly tank fitted.
Between June 1951 and May 1953, the Pakistan Air Force received 36 "de-navalised" Attackers, used as fighter-bombers with the same bomb loads as carried by the FB Mk 2.
View of the first prototype after the arrester hook had been fitted. Tailplane span has been increased, the narrow-chord fin and flat-topped rudder have been fitted, as well as bleed doors on the intakes and full-length cannon barrels.
The first production Attacker F Mk 1; the first few aircraft were delivered without the dorsal fin later standardised to improve directional stability.
The first prototype repainted in Naval colours
The first prototype finally fitted with the production-type dorsal fin.
The second of the three Attacker prototypes was completed in semi-navalised configuration and was fitted with the arrester hook from the outset. The photograph shows this prototype during the initial phase of deck landing trials on HMS "Illustrious" in October 1947.
Supermarine Attacker FB Mk 2