Supermarine Scimitar

F1 Strike Fighter


Scimitar F1


The Scimitar F1 was first flown on 19th January 1956. It served in the Fleet Air Arm from 1958 to 1966 on the aircraft carriers HMS Ark Royal, Eagle, Hermes, Victorious and Centaur, and with land based squadrons until 1969. With only sub-sonic performance, no radar and poor range, the Scimitar compared very poorly to the equivalent US Navy aircraft of the time.

The Scimitar was partially replaced by the Buccaneer in the late 1960's, though its role disappeared when the Royal Navy lost its fleet carriers.

A total of 75 Scimitar F1 were built.

Dimensions: Span 11.33 m (37ft 2in) ; Length 16.84 m (55ft 3in) ; Height 5.28 m (17ft 4in) ; Wing Area 45.05 sq.m (484.9 sq.ft)
Weights: Empty 10869 kg (23,962 lb) ; Maximum Take-off 15513 kg (34,200 lb)
Powerplant: two Rolls Royce Avon RA28 Mk 202 turbojets - 5100 kg (11,250 lb) thrust each.
Performance: Maximum speed at sea level 737 mph (1186 kph, 640 kt) ; Service ceiling 46,000 ft (14020 m)
Armament: 4 20 mm cannon ; pylons for 1814 kg (4,000 lb) of stores inc. Sidewinder AAMs , rockets and free-fall bombs (including nuclear).