The Swift

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The Swift. (left-hand panel)

Mike Gee

The Supermarine Swift was the R.A.F.’s first single-seater, swept wing, interceptor jet fighter. The
Prototype, WJ960, flew for the first time in 1951, and in 1954 the Swift entered service. The aircraft was later withdrawn as an interceptor aircraft after it was found to have a number of flaws. In 1951, the Swift was used in the film, “Sound Barrier,” a story of the attempt to fly faster than the speed of sound. The film was made on location in Chilbolton. The Supermarine Swift 4 broke the world absolute speed record on 25th September 1953. Piloted by Lt. Commander Mike Lithgow, the Swift attained a speed of 735.54 m.p.h