Supermarine 553 - somewhere in Australia 1961

[David Womby]

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.  

 

David

[Tomcat101]

Nicely done.  An unusual looking aircraft.  Similar wings to a Hunter but with an elongated fuselage.  Well done.

[scautomoton]

Yes, nice job. It's not the prettiest of planes from Supermarine, it has a very nose-heavy appearance. I think if the wing was mounted low on the fuselage it would instantly look a lot more attractive.

[bigbadbadge]

Very interesting David and great model, looks fantastic.  Great work

Chris