Swift F.1

2023-09-02T19:16:52Z

U69176405: Completley rewrote the History section

{{About
| about = British jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Swift F.7
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=swift_f1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|cockpit=cockpit_swift_f1.jpg
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]].

In 1945, the conclusion of World War II marked a pivotal moment in British history, as a new government, under the leadership of Clement Attlee, assumed power. The initial stance of the incoming Attlee government regarding defense was predicated on the belief that no major conflicts would arise for at least a decade. Consequently, they decided against the development or procurement of new aircraft until 1957. During this period, with a few exceptions like the Hawker Sea Hawk for the Royal Navy, the Air Ministry predominantly issued specifications for research purposes. This policy has been critiqued by aviation scholar Derek Wood, who characterizes it as a significant error in judgment with substantial repercussions. Wood asserts that this decision resulted in the United Kingdom forgoing an entire generation of fighter and heavy bomber aircraft.

In the late 1940s, recognizing the demands of the emerging Cold War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) urgently sought fighters with swept wings. In 1950, as the Korean War erupted, the RAF ordered two proposed fighters from Hawker Aircraft and Supermarine, known as the Hawker Hunter and Supermarine Swift, respectively.

Initially, 100 Swifts were ordered as an insurance measure if the Hawker project failed. By 1950, the order increased to 150 aircraft. The development of both aircraft faced technical challenges partly due to the absence of interim swept-wing aircraft and delays in the Miles M.52 program.

The Swift was a complex design, incorporating advanced features, including 30mm Aden guns, afterburners, power controls, fuel capacity, and high subsonic performance.

The Supermarine Swift F.1 was an early variant of the Swift fighter aircraft, introduced in the early 1950s. It was developed in response to the Cold War tensions and the need for advanced fighter capabilities, particularly swept wings. Here's a concise and formal description of the Swift F.1:

The Supermarine Swift F.1, introduced in the early 1950s, was a pivotal addition to the Royal Air Force (RAF) inventory. It was designed to meet the urgent demand for advanced fighter aircraft during the Cold War. Notable features included swept wings, marking a departure from earlier designs. The Swift F.1 was armed with four 30mm Aden cannons, embodying a focus on air defense and interception missions. Its introduction was prompted by the pressing need for modern fighters in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the era.

The main differences from the Swift F.7, which sits above the F.1, are - afterburner engine, two less cannons, and the Fireflash beam-riding rockets.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 3,048 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 982 || 980 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.6 || 27.2 || 19.3 || 16.7 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 989 || 985 || 23.5 || 25.0 || 37.7 || 28.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,186  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 1,035 || 465 || ~9 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 850 || < 600 || < 600 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Rolls-Royce Avon Mk.105 || 1
| colspan="2" | 6,019 kg || colspan="2" | 271 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel
|-
| 1,000 kg || colspan="2" | Axial-flow turbojet
| 6,525 kg || 7,452 kg || 7,705 kg || 9,530 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 7m fuel || 20m fuel || 23m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 3,107 kgf || N/A
| 0.48 || 0.42 || 0.40 || 0.33
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 3,197 kgf (1,186 km/h) || N/A
| 0.49 || 0.43 || 0.41 || 0.34
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 50 mm thick bulletproof glass in cockpit windshield.
* 12.7 mm steel plate behind pilot.
* Most of the critical components positioned inside the fuselage (Pilot, engine and fuel tanks)

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|ADEN (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 30 mm ADEN cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|G.P. Mk.IV (500 lb)|G.P. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|M.C. Mk.I (1,000 lb)|RP-3}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 500 lb G.P. Mk.IV bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb G.P. Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb M.C. Mk.I bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 16 x RP-3 rockets

== Usage in battles ==


The Swift is a British subsonic jet fighter. The aircraft is considered by some users to be a "Mini [[Hunter F.1|Hunter]]" as the Swift shares a lot of strengths and weaknesses with the beast.

This jet's strengths consist of good acceleration, climb rate and top speed, which if used properly can make it a brutal 'Boom and Zoom' aircraft, as even a short burst from the dual ADEN 30 mm revolver cannons will shred anything unfortunate enough to be in the way. The jet also has good energy retention, allowing it to make a 'swift' getaway if the pilot doesn't manage to kill their target, as even in a gentle climb it does not bleed speed as fast as other jets of its tier. Q

The main weakness of the jet is that it is not very manoeuvrable, meaning that if caught in a sticky situation, the Swift is unlikely to be able to out-dogfight its opponent unless the pilot is very experienced. Try to escape a dogfight before it begins, but if you are forced to engage, avoid throwing the jet into any sort of tight horizontal manoeuvres as there are very few aircraft the Swift will out-turn and you will end up losing any energy you may have had, becoming a sitting duck for whoever decides to claim the kill. Instead, when manoeuvring take advantage of oblique and vertical planes as you will have much more control over your energy, as well as making it easier to search for an escape route. If you manage to escape a dogfight, extend out using the Swift's acceleration and get some distance, then you can decide whether to re-engage. Also, be careful in dives. The Swift is a fast plane and as such, in a full-on boom dive from the heavens, you are likely to be going at around 1,100 km/h (700 mph) IAS, which is great for taking out unaware enemies who haven't seen you. At this point, however, the Swift is at its least manoeuvrable, at this speed turning and pulling up takes a very long time, and many new Swift pilots will find themselves embedded in the nearest hillside after a dive, take the time to learn the limits of the plane and know when to pull up. The Swift also has no designed air brake, instead the jet is equipped with the strongest takeoff flaps in the game, which still manage to hold together at the top speed of the plane, they do a great job of ditching unwanted speed, even in a steep dive, so use them if you feel you are coming in too fast.

Another minor weakness of the Swift is the fact that the two ADENs fire very quickly, expending all 400 rounds in about 10 seconds, so in an extended battle you may find yourself clean out of bullets, at which point you'll either escape and rearm, or become a sitting duck for the nearest fully loaded transonic fighter who sees you.

To summarise, use the Swift as a 'Boom and Zoomer', avoid horizontal dogfights, watch your speed in dives, and make sure to keep an eye on your ammo count, do all this and you'll be sure to quickly get many kills under your belt.

===Radars===

The Swift F.1 is equipped with an ARI.5857 rangefinding radar, located in the nose of the aircraft.
It will automatically detect other planes within the scanning area and display the range to the closest target. It is linked with a gyro gunsight and can help with aiming at close range.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="4" | ARI.5857 - Rangefinding radar
|-
! {{Annotation|Maximum Tracking Range|The maximum range at which a target can be tracked}}
! {{Annotation|Minimum Tracking Range|The range below which targets cannot be tracked by the radar}}
! {{Annotation|Azimuth Tracking Angle|How far to each side the radar can track a target}}
! {{Annotation|Elevation Tracking Angle|How far up and down the radar can track a target}}
|-
| 2,750 m || 300 m || ±9° || ±9°
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great acceleration, climb rate and high top speed
* Decent energy retention, but not the best at it (especially against MiG-15/17)
* Fast firing 30 mm ADEN cannons
* MC 1,000 lb bombs and RP-3 rockets available for light CAS roles
* Very responsive airframe both on roll and instant turning
* Take-off flaps have a very high rip speed and can work as airbrakes when needed

'''Cons:'''

* Low manoeuvrability compared to other fighters in its battle rating; better at boom and zoom than dogfights
* Compression and wing rip risk at high speed (>925 km/h IAS)
* Very poor flight performance when stock
* Has no air brakes for landing; must use take-off flaps to reduce speed

== History ==

In 1945, the conclusion of World War II marked a pivotal moment in British history, as a new government, under the leadership of Clement Attlee, assumed power. The initial stance of the incoming Attlee government regarding defense was predicated on the belief that no major conflicts would arise for at least a decade. Consequently, they decided against the development or procurement of new aircraft until 1957. During this period, with a few exceptions like the Hawker Sea Hawk for the Royal Navy, the Air Ministry predominantly issued specifications for research purposes. This policy has been critiqued by aviation scholar Derek Wood, who characterizes it as a significant error in judgment with substantial repercussions. Wood asserts that this decision resulted in the United Kingdom forgoing an entire generation of fighter and heavy bomber aircraft.

In the late 1940s, recognizing the demands of the emerging Cold War, the Royal Air Force (RAF) urgently sought fighters with swept wings. In 1950, as the Korean War erupted, the RAF ordered two proposed fighters from Hawker Aircraft and Supermarine, known as the Hawker Hunter and Supermarine Swift, respectively.

Initially, 100 Swifts were ordered as an insurance measure if the Hawker project failed. By 1950, the order increased to 150 aircraft. The development of both aircraft faced technical challenges partly due to the absence of interim swept-wing aircraft and delays in the Miles M.52 program.

The Swift was a complex design, incorporating advanced features, including 30mm Aden guns, afterburners, power controls, fuel capacity, and high subsonic performance.

The Supermarine Swift F.1 was an early variant of the Swift fighter aircraft, introduced in the early 1950s. It was developed in response to the Cold War tensions and the need for advanced fighter capabilities, particularly swept wings. Here's a concise and formal description of the Swift F.1:

The Supermarine Swift F.1, introduced in the early 1950s, was a pivotal addition to the Royal Air Force (RAF) inventory. It was designed to meet the urgent demand for advanced fighter aircraft during the Cold War. Notable features included swept wings, marking a departure from earlier designs. The Swift F.1 was armed with four 30mm Aden cannons, embodying a focus on air defense and interception missions. Its introduction was prompted by the pressing need for modern fighters in the evolving geopolitical landscape of the era.

The main differences from the Swift F.7, which sits above the F.1, are - afterburner engine, two less cannons, and the Fireflash beam-riding rockets.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=swift_f1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<div><ul>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 001.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 002.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 003.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 004.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 005.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 006.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 007.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:Swift F1 WTWallpaper 008.jpg|thumb|none|250px|]] </li>
</ul></div>

== See also ==


;Related development

* Supermarine [[Attacker FB 1]]
* Supermarine [[Attacker FB.2]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* North American [[F-86 (Family)| F-86]] Sabre
* Dassault [[M.D.450B Ouragan]]
* de Havilland [[Venom FB.4|Venom]]
* Grumman [[F9F (Family)|F9F]] Cougar
* Hawker [[Hunter (Family)|Hunter]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-17 (Family)|MiG-17]]
* Saab [[J29D]] Tunnan

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6342-development-supermarine-swift-banking-on-success-en|[Development] Supermarine Swift: Banking on Success]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/463998-swift-f1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer Supermarine}}
{{Britain jet aircraft}}

War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Swift F.1