The Supermarine Swift is a British single-seat jet fighter aircraft that was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF). It was developed and manufactured by Supermarine during the 1940s and 1950s. The Swift featured many of the new jet age innovations, such as a swept wing. On 26 September 1953, a Swift F.4 piloted by Commander Mike Lithgow broke the world absolute speed record, reaching a speed of 737.7 mph (1,187 km/h).
Supermarine Swift
Swift FR.5 landing at the Farnborough air show in 1955
Swift.F.1 test aircraft operated by Vickers-Armstrong in 1953
Close formation of six Swifts, 1956
Supermarine was a British aircraft manufacturer. It is most famous for producing the Spitfire fighter plane during World War II. It also built a range of seaplanes and flying boats, winning the Schneider Trophy for seaplanes with three wins in a row in 1927, 1929 and 1931. After the war, the company produced a series of jet fighters.
Supermarine Aviation Ltd, Woolston, in 1924
Studio portrait of Billing released for publication to the press in 1916
Hubert Scott-Paine
Supermarine P.B.31E Nighthawk