OVERVIEW
The Supermarine Attacker was the first jet-powered fighter used by the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier groups.
The Supermarine Attacker was the first jet-powered fighter used by the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier groups.
YEAR: 1951
STATUS: Retired, Out-of-Service
MANUFACTURER(S): Supermarine - UK
PRODUCTION: 96
OPERATORS: United Kingdom; Pakistan
SPECIFICATIONS
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Supermarine Attacker model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Supermarine Attacker model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
CREW: 1
LENGTH: 37.47 feet (11.42 meters)
WIDTH: 36.91 feet (11.25 meters)
HEIGHT: 9.91 feet (3.02 meters)
WEIGHT (EMPTY): 8,435 pounds (3,826 kilograms)
WEIGHT (MTOW): 12,211 pounds (5,539 kilograms)
ENGINE: 1 x Rolls-Royce Nene 3 turbojet engine developing 5,000lb of thrust.
SPEED (MAX): 590 miles-per-hour (950 kilometers-per-hour; 513 knots)
RANGE: 590 miles (950 kilometers; 513 nautical miles)
CEILING: 44,997 feet (13,715 meters; 8.52 miles)
RATE-OF-CLIMB: 6,350 feet-per-minute (1,935 meters-per-minute)
ARMAMENT
Fighter Variant:
4 x 20mm Hispano No.3 Mark 5 cannons
Fighter-Bomber Variant:
4 x 20mm Hispano No.3 Mark 5 cannons in wing leading edges.
2 x conventional drop bombs underwing
Air-to-surface, unguided rockets underwing
Fighter Variant:
4 x 20mm Hispano No.3 Mark 5 cannons
Fighter-Bomber Variant:
4 x 20mm Hispano No.3 Mark 5 cannons in wing leading edges.
2 x conventional drop bombs underwing
Air-to-surface, unguided rockets underwing
VARIANTS
Series Model Variants
• Type 392 - Prototype Land-Based Fighter for Royal Air Force; single example produced.
• Type 398 - Initial Naval Prototype Model
• Type 513 - Second Naval Prototype Model
• Attacker F.Mk 1 - Fighter Variant
• Attacker FB.Mk 1 - Fighter-Bomber Variant developed from dedicated fighter; provisions for rocket and bomb armament.
• Attacker FB.Mk 2 - Modernized Fighter-Bomber Variant; fitted with Nene 102 series engine; 84 examples produced.
• Type 538 Attacker - Pakistani Export Model; land-based version of the Nene 4-powered Attacker; 36 examples delivered beginning in 1953.
Series Model Variants
• Type 392 - Prototype Land-Based Fighter for Royal Air Force; single example produced.
• Type 398 - Initial Naval Prototype Model
• Type 513 - Second Naval Prototype Model
• Attacker F.Mk 1 - Fighter Variant
• Attacker FB.Mk 1 - Fighter-Bomber Variant developed from dedicated fighter; provisions for rocket and bomb armament.
• Attacker FB.Mk 2 - Modernized Fighter-Bomber Variant; fitted with Nene 102 series engine; 84 examples produced.
• Type 538 Attacker - Pakistani Export Model; land-based version of the Nene 4-powered Attacker; 36 examples delivered beginning in 1953.
HISTORY
Detailing the development and operational history of the Supermarine Attacker Single-Seat / Single-Engine Navy Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 6/21/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Supermarine Attacker Single-Seat / Single-Engine Navy Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 6/21/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com.
The Supermarine Attacker was a solid, if unspectacular, aircraft that failed to make much of a splash as a jet fighter in the post-World War 2 days. Its primary user became the British Royal Navy though several examples (at least 36) were delivered to Pakistan - the latter using them as land-based interceptors despite the Attacker's carrier pedigree. The system was initially designed for the Royal Air Force to take advantage of an already-existing piston engine fighter airframe (in the form of the Spiteful) and married to the successful Rolls-Royce Nene 3 series turbojet powerplant.
After an unusually long development time (development began as early as 1946 but the system was not fielded until 1951), the RAF version was accepted into operational service with average results. The Royal Navy, however, took an interest in the Supermarine product and began arming their Fleet Air Arm (FAA) with the new Attacker as a carrier-based jet fighter. The Attacker would become the first jet-powered aircraft to be brought aboard British naval carriers.
Once on the ships, the Attacker performed solidly though without much fame. The system would provide the British Royal Navy with a stepping stone to more advanced turbojet-powered alternatives in years to come for the Attacker was eventually weeded out from frontline carrier service as soon as 1954.
The Supermarine Attacker was a single engine jet fighter of ordinary design. The base model of the Spiteful piston aircraft shown through in its design as the aircraft sat with a noticeable "nose-up" appearance when at rest - a throwback to the days of the World War 2 "tail draggers" - this despite the use of a tricycle undercarriage. This nose-up attitude forced the aircraft to rest on a forth, albeit smaller, landing gear system at rear. The pilot sat high and forward on the fuselage with intakes to either side of the cockpit. The twin intakes aspirated the single turbojet engine buried deep within the fuselage center. A single vertical tail fin was mounted atop the empennage ahead of the engine exhaust ring. Wings were straight-wing assemblies and generally consistent with other early turbojet fighters. The Attacker was adequately armed with a battery of 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons, each mounted in the wing leading edge in pairs (noted in photographs by the extending muzzles).
In all, just 182 examples were produced as well as three prototypes. Ultimately, the Attacker was replaced in British service by the Hawker Sea Hawk and de Havilland Sea Venom.
After an unusually long development time (development began as early as 1946 but the system was not fielded until 1951), the RAF version was accepted into operational service with average results. The Royal Navy, however, took an interest in the Supermarine product and began arming their Fleet Air Arm (FAA) with the new Attacker as a carrier-based jet fighter. The Attacker would become the first jet-powered aircraft to be brought aboard British naval carriers.
Once on the ships, the Attacker performed solidly though without much fame. The system would provide the British Royal Navy with a stepping stone to more advanced turbojet-powered alternatives in years to come for the Attacker was eventually weeded out from frontline carrier service as soon as 1954.
The Supermarine Attacker was a single engine jet fighter of ordinary design. The base model of the Spiteful piston aircraft shown through in its design as the aircraft sat with a noticeable "nose-up" appearance when at rest - a throwback to the days of the World War 2 "tail draggers" - this despite the use of a tricycle undercarriage. This nose-up attitude forced the aircraft to rest on a forth, albeit smaller, landing gear system at rear. The pilot sat high and forward on the fuselage with intakes to either side of the cockpit. The twin intakes aspirated the single turbojet engine buried deep within the fuselage center. A single vertical tail fin was mounted atop the empennage ahead of the engine exhaust ring. Wings were straight-wing assemblies and generally consistent with other early turbojet fighters. The Attacker was adequately armed with a battery of 4 x 20mm Hispano cannons, each mounted in the wing leading edge in pairs (noted in photographs by the extending muzzles).
In all, just 182 examples were produced as well as three prototypes. Ultimately, the Attacker was replaced in British service by the Hawker Sea Hawk and de Havilland Sea Venom.
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Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 750mph
Lo: 375mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (590mph).
Graph average of 562.5 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LDN
LDN
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MSK
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TKY
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SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Supermarine Attacker's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
96
96
Altitude Visualization
