Prototype N113 WT854 which first flew on the 20th January 1956

Scimitar F.1 XD267, coded “151/R”, in the colours it wore while serving with No 803 Sqn during 1964, including the unit’s distinctive yellow and black chequerboard pattern on the fin. It is fitted with the extra wing-mounted tanks used for “buddy” refuelling duties.

Пивная кружка на киле данного Supermarine Scimitar говорит о том, что он приписан к эскадрилье № 800B, а буквенный код "E" свидетельствует о том, что самолет приписан к авианосцу "Игл". Видны подвешенные УР AIM-9 Sidewinder и подвесной контейнер для дозаправки топливом в полете.

Scimitar F1 XD321 of 800B Sqn based on HMS Eagle, 1964

Scimitar F.1 XD323/“162/H” of No 804 Sqn (note the unit’s motif of a tiger’s head with a sword in its mouth on the fin) circa 1961 while embarked in HMS Hermes. The inboard pylons carry fuel tanks, while the outboard pylons are fitted with bomb-carriers, each carrying a pair of 25lb practice-bombs.

Самолет Scimitar F.Mk 1 с УР "воздух-воздух" AIM-9B и 909-литровыми ПТБ из 804-й эскадрильи авиации ВМС Великобритании. Этот самолет списали после аварийной посадки на авианосец "Арк Ройал" в марте 1966 года.

Scimitar F.1 XD268/“156/V” at the SBAC show at Farnborough in 1961. The type was a regular visitor to the show in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Seen here on the port outer pylon of Scimitar XD215/“611” of No 736 Sqn, the American-built Martin Marietta AGM-12 Bullpup air-to-surface missile used a Manual Command Line of Sight guidance system - which effectively meant the launch aircraft had to follow the missile to the target, thus offering little advantage over a standard bombing run and arguably being more dangerous.

A pair of Scimitars of No 803 Sqn - XD250/“147/R” and XD320/“148/R” - roar away on a sortie, each carrying a pair of 200 Imp gal (910lit) fuel tanks on the inner wing pylons. Receiving its first Scimitars in June 1958, No 803 Sqn embarked in HMS Victorious to become the first operational unit to be equipped with the type

In the company of the Fairey Gannet AEW.3s with which the type would co-operate during anti-shipping sorties, Scimitar XD235/“149/R” has its wings folded while preparing for a display at Yeovilton in the early 1960s.

The first N.113 Type 544, WH854, makes its maiden take-off from Boscombe Down on January 19, 1956, piloted by Lithgow. Note dihedral tailplane.
Intended for the Fleet Air Arm as a strike-fighter the Vickers-Supermarine N.113 prototype WT854 took to the air for the first time on 20th January, at A. & A.E.E., Boscombe Down, Hampshire. The size of the N.113, can be gauged by reference to the silhouette of the test pilot's head in the "bubble" canopy. The "needle"-nose yaw meter extension will not appear on the production models. Apart from 30-mm. Aden cannon and guided missiles, an atomic bomb is suggested as possible stores.

VICKERS-SUPERMARINE N.113. The Vickers N.113 is the culmination of a line of research which started with the butterfly-tailed types 508 and 529 and continued with the all-swept type 525. The N.113 differs from the 525 in having a modified fin; all-moving tailplane with dihedral; "supercirculation" blown flaps; long dorsal fillet with intake in front; and full blister hood. The N.113 has been ordered for the Fleet Air Arm for interceptor and strike work, and will have both guns and guided missiles.
Salient features: A mid-wing monoplane. the N.113 has a cockpit set well forward, twin large flank intakes and jet exhausts on each side of the rear fuselage. The wing is of low aspect-ratio with moderate sweep and curved tips. Full span two section slats are carried on the leading edge, and blunt fronted dorsal fillet is carried. The dihedral tailplane is mounted one-third of the way up the fin on a large streamlined bullet fairing. Mainwheels retract inwards and the nosewheel backwards.

The second prototype Vickers-Supermarine N.113, serial WT859 will be seen at Farnborough. Power is provided by two late-model Rolls-Royce Avons.

Supermarine Scimitar F.Mk.1 with underwing Sidewinder missiles

VICKERS N.113 (WT854). The first prototype Type 544 F.A.A. carrier-borne single-seat fighter lands with tailplane at negative incidence, leading-edge slats depressed, and dorsal and ventral air brakes extended.

The P.R. Supermarine Scimitar

The Vickers Supermarine Scimitar F.Mk.I (XD218; ninth production model).

Первые полеты с авианосца самолет выполнял самостоятельно, без применения катапульты, поскольку не было еще получено разрешение от НИЦ из Бэдфорда. Но самолет WT854 все же примерили к катапульте.

В октябре 1956 года к летным испытаниям присоединился третий и последний прототип WW134. В январе 1957 года он начал корабельные испытания. Фотография датируется 18-25 июля 1957 года. Второй на заднем плане - это четвертый серийный самолет XD215.

The third prototype N113D, WW134, on the starboard catapult of Ark Royal during trials in the Channel, early 1957.

Big aeroplane, (comparatively) small carrier - a pair of Scimitars stand on the prow of HMS Eagle in 1968, alongside a Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 and a Fairey Gannet AEW.3, with Sea Vixens ranged aft. Even the largest of the Royal Navy’s carriers had shorter flight decks than those of their "small” Essex-class American counterparts.
Unknown to the Rhodesians, HMS Eagle was stationed off the coast of Tanzania in late November 1965. Seen here aboard Eagle in 1968 are Supermarine Scimitars, Blackburn Buccaneers, a Fairey Gannet AEW.3, de Havilland Sea Vixens and a Westland Wessex.

A wintry flight deck scene aboard HMS Ark Royal. 807 Squadron during Arctic trials in February 1961.

Busy apron scene at Bedford on August 29, 1960, depicting flight test aircraft used by both NAD and Aero Flight. They include a hybrid all-white Hunter WW598, two Fairey Delta 2s WG774 and WG777, Buccaneer S.1 XK524, Supermarine Scimitar, and in the top left hand corner of the photograph Supermarine Type 529 VX136 delivered to NAD on April 15, 1953 for tail-down deck landing trials.

Scimitars of 700X Flight at RNAS Ford, Sussex, early in 1958.

Supermarine N.113

Ко времени первого полета 11 января 1957 года первого серийного Type 544 уже было известно, что самолет получит имя Scimitar.
Многофункциональный истребитель Scimitar, последний серийный самолет компании "Supermarine", состоял на вооружении только авиации ВМС Великобритании.

On its introduction into service in the summer of 1957, the Supermarine Scimitar became the largest, heaviest and most powerful fighter the Fleet Air Arm had acquired up to that time. Its twin Rolls-Royce Avon engines of some 10,000Ib-thrust each also made it the noisiest. Seen here is first production Scimitar F.1 XD212.

Another angle on one of the Scimitar prototypes.

Scimitar мог брать до четырех бомб, но обычно на машину подвешивали одну или две бомбы, а на остальных пилонах - подвесные топливные баки.

Scimitar F.1 XD248 of No 807 Sqn FAA peels away to reveal the undersides of its shapely - if rather thick - wings, which have been fitted with pylons carrying 24 x 3in rocket projectiles. The type entered FAA service with evaluation unit No 700X Flight at Ford in August 1957, joining front-line service with No 803 Sqn in June 1958.

A near-sonic flypast by a RNAS Culdrose-based Scimitar in July 1960.

Supermarine Scimitar F.1, XD235, of the Fleet Requirements Unit, photographed from a Meteor TT.20 near Bournemouth/Hurn on June 5, 1968 by ADRIAN M. BALCH. This aircraft formerly flew with 803 Squadron, the first unit to fly the Scimitar operationally.

С поступлением самолетов Sea Vixen командование британского флота переориентировало Scimitar на роль штурмовика. Одним из наиболее эффективных его средств поражения были НАР. На фотографии - самолет из 807-й эскадрильи.
Scimitar F.1 XD248/“195/R” of Lossiemouth-based No 807 Sqn fires a salvo of eight rocket projectiles during armament trials. Capable of carrying a lethal package of ordnance, including tactical nuclear weapons, the Scimitar was light-years ahead of the Sea Hawk it replaced in Royal Navy service. Note the stylised scimitar motif applied to the fins of No 807 Sqn’s examples.

27 августа 1957г.: в Форде (Сассекс) сформирована испытательная эскадрилья ВМС Великобритании (№ 700X), в составе семи истребителей Scimitar F.Mk 1.

Four Scimitars of No 807 Sqn up from Lossiemouth in June 1959. The unit reformed at the Scottish base with the receipt of eight Scimitars in October 1958, and remained ashore until embarking in HMS Ark Royal in March 1960. The unit performed a memorable synchronised landing display at the 1959 SBAC Farnborough show

Scimitar F.1s of 803 Squadron at the SBAC Display of September 1958, shortly before embarking on HMS Victorious.

With “Royal Navy” emblazoned on the undersides of their wings, Scimitars flew the flag for the Fleet Air Arm at SBAC shows at Farnborough in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The twin-engined naval fighter looked impressive and certainly made a lot of noise, but in reality it could not compete with its contemporaries.

Six 803 Sqn Scimitar F.1 fighters at high speed at the 1958 SBAC show.

A large portion of the S.B.A.C. Flying Display was devoted to the aircraft of the three services. We saw the solid Scimitars ...

One of the star turns at this year's S.B.A.C. show was undoubtedly the Supermarine Scimitar (XD212), which is seen here with everything down including flaps, undercarriage and hook.

The Scimitar F Mk 1, the photograph showing an aircraft of No 803 Sqn aboard HMS Ark Royal in 1964.

WT854 during deck landing trials aboard Ark Royal in April 1956.

With the double-slotted flaps fitted to their wings and fuselage undersides fully deployed, a pair of No 736 Sqn Scimitars makes a formation landing at Farnborough in 1962. The Scimitars put up a lively display at the SBAC show, the press noting that they provided a series of "audible near-sonic almost-bangs..."

XD278 of 800 Squadron touches down during the 1961 SBAC Show at Farnborough.

Two Scimitars, XD248 and XD219, performed valuable work at RAE Farnborough in the late 1960s, assessing braking performance of a high friction runway in simulated heavy rain. The wingless XD219 is seen here.

Note the marked anhedral on the Scimitar F. Mk. I (XD218) tailplane

The Supermarine 525 is the fastest and most powerful carrier-based aircraft yet built. This experimental aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Avon engines, and its design will be the basis for a new single-seater aircraft, the N 113, on order for the Royal Navy.

Vickers Supermarine N.113 - The Scimitar

VICKERS-SUPERMARINE N.113. Data : Manufacturer: Vickers-Supermarine. South Marston. Power : two Rolls-Royce Avons of over 10,000-lb. thrust each . Accommodation : single-seater. Dimensions : not released , but probably similar to the type 525, i.e. span 38 ft . 6 in .; length about SS ft. No other data released.

SUPERMARINE SCIMITAR F.1: Displayed in its photo-reconnaissance form with ihe P.R. nose as shown by the drawing, the Scimitar F.1 now serves with Nos. 803 and 807 Naval Air Squadrons. The nose is easily interchangeable with the standard fighter nose. It is powered by two 11,250-lb. s.t. Rolls-Royce Avon 200 series engines, and dimensions are: Span 37 ft. 2 in.; length 55 ft. 4 in.; height 15 ft.

The Scimitar F Mk 1

Configuration of the Vickers-Armstrong (Supermarine) Type 565, showing its Scimitar lineage.

Illustrations of the single-seat naval version of the proposed Supermarine Type 576 ‘‘Super Scimitar” mixed-power interceptor. It was to be fitted with a pair of Avon engines plus two de Havilland Spectre rocket motors, which it was estimated would provide a maximum speed of Mach 1-8 at 65,000ft (20,000m).

Scimitar F1 XD332 of 736 Sqn based at Lossiemouth, 1964. This aircraft is now on display at the Cornwall Aeronautical Park Ltd, Helston