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When considering the use of jet fighters by the Fleet Air Arm, the service initially pursued the use of the de Havilland Vampire. However, whilst they felt naval pilots would be capable of flying the type on and off carriers, they felt that it wasn't suitable as a frontline fighter because of poor engine response and limited endurance. Despite this conclusion, it was felt useful as an introduction to jet flying for naval pilots. As a result 18 FB5s were converted into F20s, with various mods for carrier operations, and used for training purposes by units such as the Naval Jet Evaluation and Training Unit, from late 1949 until the mid 50s. Meanwhile, the Admiralty turned to the Supermarine Attacker as its first frontline fighter. This machine seems to have been a retrograde step with its tail wheel undercarriage and wing mounted guns. It quickly acquired a huge ventral tank to improve range, but was never a great success, being quickly replaced by the far superior Hawker Sea Hawk, which in itself was already obsolete as a fighter when it was ordered instead of the more advanced Hawker P.1081. My question is, why didn't they pursue development of the Sea Vampire with Venom type wingtip tanks and more powerful engine, instead of the Attacker?