| Supermarine Scimitar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Supermarine Scimitar in FAA default Livery | |
| Aircraft | Scimitar |
| Manufacturer | Vickers Supermarine |
| Year | 1956 (First Flight) |
| Power | Jet |
| Primary Use | Military, Naval Strike |
| Developer | Jaques Brault |
| X-Plane Version | 8.64 |
| Development Status | Published |
| Publisher | X-Plane.org |
| Licence | Freeware |
Aircraft Background[]
During the development of the twin engined 508 series, the Admiralty published a formal requirement (N.113D) for a swept wing naval fighter capable of 720mph at sea level.
Supermarine redesigned the 525 to meet this requirement. The extent of the redesign concerned the ministry. Whilst the 544 and 525 were visually similar, the 544 had a much larger engine box to fit the Avon 202 engines. It incorporated wing features identified in the Swift and area ruling in the fuselage. The contract to develop 3 preproduction aircraft and then 76 Scimitars was achieved in December 1952 with the first delivery aircraft flying in 1957.
The Scimitar had a 30% more power than the 525 and weighed 10% more. This gave it tremendous acceleration and a reputation for the noise it created. It still remains one of the heaviest and most powerful naval aircraft flown by the Fleet Air Arm - of the 76 produced, 39 were lost in accidents!
A second evolution of the 525 was investigated - 537 - for the strike role, however the Scimitar’s role changed from multi role to ground attack with the Sea Vixen taking on the interceptor role. It never saw action and was retired from service after 8 years.
Further developments of the Scimitar were proposed - Types 567 (two seat); 558 (improved performance and all weather); 561 RAF strike bomber. However the Blackburn Bucaneer was now on the Admiralty’s wish list so evolutions of the Scimitar were limited. The Scimitar design was further refined in it’s later life as a supersonic Bucaneer replacement - the 576.
Three Scimitars survive intact, one at the Fleet Air Arm museum in Yeovilton.
X-Plane Development[]
There are no additional liveries with this aircraft
Installation & Flight[]
See Also[]
- Supermarine Attacker
- Supermarine Type 525
- Supermarine Type 567
- Vickers Type 571
- Supermarine Type 576