SR.53 использовал ЖРД для разгона и быстрого набора высоты, а ТРД применялся в крейсерском полете и для обеспечения работы генератора. На снимке: XD145 - один из двух летавших прототипов.

Опытный SR.53

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.
XD 145, 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. XD 145'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. XD 151 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 XD 151, 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.

The Saro SR.53, with D.H. Spectre, emitting shock-wave diamonds.

SR.53 во время летных испытаний

XD145 takes off at Boscombe Down for its second flight on May 27, 1957, shadowed by a Gloster Meteor chase plane.

XD145 approaching to land.

SARO SR.53 XD145 lightweight supersonic interceptor, powered by a combination of a Viper 7R and a DH Spectre rocket engine.

The all-white first prototype S.R.53, XD145, catches the sunlight in the skies above Boscombe Down during its maiden flight on May 16, 1957. At the controls was John S. Booth, Saunders-Roe's chief test pilot.

SR.53 набирает высоту на ракетной тяге

The first prototype SR.53 moving at high speed during its second flight.

The last aircraft produced by Saunders-Roe was the SR-53, powered by a Viper turbojet combined with a Spectre rocket motor.

Saunders-Roe SR.53.

SR.53, XD145 performing at the SBAC Show at Farnborough 1957.

The mid-fifties saw the Saunders-Roe SR.53, which mated a Viper turbojet and a Spectre rocket

Proposed for the air-defence of the UK, the mixed-powerplant Saunders-Roe SR53 was powered by a de Havilland Spectre rocket engine operating on hydrogen peroxide and kerosene, controllable within the range 4.4-35.0kN. Endurance was provided by a 44kN thrust Armstrong Siddeley Viper lightweight turbojet. This and its SR177 descendant fell victim to the 1957 Defence White Paper.

XD145 photographed during its second test flight on May 27, 1957.

SR.53 в воздухе

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.

Saunders-Roe SR.53 (16 May 1957).

XD145 photographed by Flight during Farnborough week, September 1957.

XD145 in the vicinity of Farnborough for the 1957 SBAC show

XD145 landing after the maiden flight.

XD145 taking off and landing on its second flight

The second SR.53, XD151, undergoing fuel flow tests at Boscombe Down. It first flew on December 5, 1957.

The first prototype SR.53 undergoing flow tests with 10° nose-up attitude.

Опытный SR.53 в Косфордском музее

Saunders-Roe SR53 XD145 is rolled out at RAF Brize Norton on November 30, 1981. It has now been delivered to the RAF Aerospace Museum at RAF Cosford.

SR.53 intake;

Сопла ракетного и турбореактивного двигателей SR.53

The Saro SR.53's two-tier arrangement of jet outlets. Viper (upper) and Spectre;

Ground running the Spectre engine on December 17, 1958.

The revised cockpit of the SR.53 as it was in September 1958.

Схема SR.53

Saunders-Roe SR.53

SARO SR.53.

SAUNDERS-ROE SR.53. One of the highlights of the S.B.A.C. show at Farnborough last month was the appearance of the Saunders-Roe SR.53 mixed-powerplant research interceptor. Two of these aircraft were shown, XD151 statically, and XD145 which took part in the flying display. The SR.53 has been designed to investigate the possibilities of supersonic mixed-power fighters, and it is powered by an Armstrong Siddeley Viper (possibly the ASV.8) in the upper position and a de Havilland Spectre rocket motor in the lower position. Both XD145 and XD151 carry de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles on the wingtips on a very clean mounting. The Firestreaks on XD151 were finished white overall, while those on XD145 had a white body and red wings and fins. The delta wing is fitted with ailerons, slotted flaps and a drooping leading edge. The flying tailplane has a small elevator flanked by small fences. Main units of the Dowty undercarriage are extremely thin and retract into the wing. The track is wide and offers good stability for ground manoeuvring. A large H.T.P. jettison pipe is situated about half-way along the under-fuselage, and all H.T.P. access-points are marked with a red half-moon. Prominent on the nose just ahead of the windscreen is a large fairing housing a cine-gun. A drag or anti-spin parachute is housed in a container on top of the tailplane in the same manner as that fitted to the prototype Javelin.