The little-known P.1048 (P.1048/1) was a project "interceptor fighter" developed by Hawker / Hawker-Siddeley against British Air Ministry Specification 1.46 in 1946. The aircraft shared similarities with two others of the period, namely the German Luftwaffe's war time Messerschmitt Me 262 and the British Gloster Meteor, both designs going on to see operational-level service. The P.1048, however, did not advanced beyond its basic drawing board stage and ultimately fell to the pages of history.
The interceptor fighter was a simple concept built around quick reaction take-off and high-speed flight. Once airborne, the aircraft would fly to meet up enemy bombers or escorts and unleash cannon fire or rockets in an attempt to destroy the advance.
What is known of the P.1048 was that it would have carried 2 x 30mm ADEN automatic cannons in the nose. Its engine pair would be podded and underslung, the powerplants being Rolls-Royce AJ.65 (AJ = "Axial Jet") series "Avon" turbojet units providing the necessary thrust / output power for fast acceleration and high-speed flight. Dimensions included a running length of 41 feet and a wingspan of 39.5 feet.
Externally, the aircraft was an elongated Me 262 with a slim, streamlined nose assembly and the cockpit just aft. The cockpit resided over and ahead of the mainplanes which themselves were seated ahead of midships. The mainplanes were straight in their general form and tapered towards the wing tips - the trailing edge seeing considerably more sweep than the leading edge. With the underslung engines, the center of gravity would climb towards the front of the aircraft so a modern tricycle (retractable) undercarriage would be fitted for ground-running. The sleek design tapered to the rear to which a conventional single-finned tail unit was fitted. Horizontal tailplanes were mounted relatively low along the sides of the rudder.
The podded nature of the turbojet engines meant easy access to the units and easy replacement when maintaining / repairing the aircraft. The AJ.65 made its way into other critical British designs of the time including the de Havilland Comet, English Electric Lightning, and the Hawker Hunter.
Beyond the twin cannon armament, no other weaponry was proposed though it can be assumed that aerial rockets and possible bombs would have made their way into the arsenal of this promising jet design.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Air-to-Air Combat, Fighter
General ability to actively engage other aircraft of similar form and function, typically through guns, missiles, and/or aerial rockets.
✓Interception
Ability to intercept inbound aerial threats by way of high-performance, typically speed and rate-of-climb.
✓X-Plane (Developmental, Prototype, Technology Demonstrator)
Aircraft developed for the role of prototyping, technology demonstration, or research / data collection.
MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.
HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE
Can accelerate to higher speeds than average aircraft of its time.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
PILOT / CREW EJECTION SYSTEM
Assisted process of allowing its pilot and / or crew to eject in the event of an airborne emergency.
CREWSPACE PRESSURIZATION
Supports pressurization required at higher operating altitudes for crew survival.
ENCLOSED CREWSPACE(S)
Features partially- or wholly-enclosed crew workspaces.
RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.
Length
41.0 ft (12.50 m)
Width/Span
39.5 ft (12.05 m)
Height
11.7 ft (3.56 m)
Empty Wgt
8,818 lb (4,000 kg)
MTOW
16,535 lb (7,500 kg)
Wgt Diff
+7,716 lb (+3,500 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Hawker P.1048/1 production variant)
monoplane / low-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Low-Mounted
Mainplanes are low-mounted along the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Hawker P.1048/1 production variant)
Installed:
2 x Rolls-Royce AJ.65 Avon turbojet engines developing 6,500lb of thrust each (estimated).
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Hawker P.1048/1 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
PROPOSED:
2 x 30mm ADEN automatic cannons in the nose.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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