Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
- DavidWomby
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Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Supermarine designed the 553 to meet a UK requirement for an aircraft to research the kinetic heating effects of sustained flight in excess of twice the speed of sound but the UK government chose the Bristol 188 instead. The 553 never got beyond a paper design but would probably have made use of stainless steel, to avoid the heating limits of aluminium alloy.
But what if it had been under construction when the UK government chose the Bristol 188.........
Following selection of the Bristol 188, Supermarine halted work on the partially completed 553 and focussed totally on getting the Swift fully operational. Meanwhile, in Australia, the government had cancelled the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) CA-23 supersonic fighter - much to the frustration of the RAAF and CAC. The RAAF knew supersonic aircraft would be needed in their inventory within the next decade. They and CAC still wanted the ability to investigate Mach 1+ flight. The Australian Government quickly contracted Supermarine to complete the 553 but with a reheated Avon in place of the cancelled RB.106.
In 1958, the RAAF took delivery of the sole Supermarine 553. Since it was no longer to be used to investigate airframe heating at higher mach numbers, Supermarine delivered it in all over High Speed Silver rather than leaving it bare metal as originally intended. It was allocated the A86-001 serial that had been intended for the cancelled P.1081 procurement. The RAAF's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) flew the 553 until 1963 when the supersonic Mirage arrived. It was much disliked by all who flew it. It was underpowered and had poor yaw and pitch control due to the undersized fin and tailplanes.
A86-001 was, sadly, sold for scrap in 1965. Here she is in her heyday at ARDU c.1961.
This is an all resin model from Renaud Mangallon who was Sharkit but is now retired. Some of the build can be seen here: https://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13713&start=1074
David
But what if it had been under construction when the UK government chose the Bristol 188.........
Following selection of the Bristol 188, Supermarine halted work on the partially completed 553 and focussed totally on getting the Swift fully operational. Meanwhile, in Australia, the government had cancelled the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation (CAC) CA-23 supersonic fighter - much to the frustration of the RAAF and CAC. The RAAF knew supersonic aircraft would be needed in their inventory within the next decade. They and CAC still wanted the ability to investigate Mach 1+ flight. The Australian Government quickly contracted Supermarine to complete the 553 but with a reheated Avon in place of the cancelled RB.106.
In 1958, the RAAF took delivery of the sole Supermarine 553. Since it was no longer to be used to investigate airframe heating at higher mach numbers, Supermarine delivered it in all over High Speed Silver rather than leaving it bare metal as originally intended. It was allocated the A86-001 serial that had been intended for the cancelled P.1081 procurement. The RAAF's Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) flew the 553 until 1963 when the supersonic Mirage arrived. It was much disliked by all who flew it. It was underpowered and had poor yaw and pitch control due to the undersized fin and tailplanes.
A86-001 was, sadly, sold for scrap in 1965. Here she is in her heyday at ARDU c.1961.
This is an all resin model from Renaud Mangallon who was Sharkit but is now retired. Some of the build can be seen here: https://uamf.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=13713&start=1074
David
Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Looks amazing! if you hadn't mentioned the resin kit, though, I'd have been congratulating you on a very clever kitbash of a Hunter, a Gnat and the old Airfix Mig-21...
best,
M.
best,
M.
Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Great build. Nice scheme. Cool backstory. Ugly plane. Supermarine had really lost the plot by then
Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Nice finish. It’s a design that will grow on you
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
You done a super job with that. In flight was definitely the way to go.
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Nice work, David!
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
That's magnificent David!
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Awesome build of a real rare one, David...
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Was this a real project or a whiff? Either way, nicely modelled
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- DavidWomby
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
It was a real design submitted by Supermarine but never built.
David
David
Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
A sort of RAF46 then
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- general rocket
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
I love a good whiff.
And this is a good whiff.
And this is a good whiff.
I wish, that I knew what was doing!
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
That's a superb build David, and a good back story.
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Rather reminds me of a Fishpot -- same "cockpit on a telegraph pole with wings" look about it. I agree with other posters that it badly needs more side
area at the back, either in the form of a bigger fin or additional ventral fin(s) -- maybe something like a late MiG-21 fin, possibly even a little taller?
Still, this is a cracking model. Excellent work.
area at the back, either in the form of a bigger fin or additional ventral fin(s) -- maybe something like a late MiG-21 fin, possibly even a little taller?
Still, this is a cracking model. Excellent work.
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Re: Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961
Very interesting story and a great build of an oddity for sure, even if just a paper one. A Luft46 design it ain't!
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