Gloster Javelin
| Gloster Javelin | |
|---|---|
 Gloster Javelin FAW.1, Farnborough 1955 |
|
| Type: | Twin-engine fighter |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: | |
| First flight: |
November 26, 1951 |
| Commissioning: |
February 29, 1956 |
| Number of pieces: |
436 |
The Gloster Javelin (Javelin = spear) was a twin-engined fighter aircraft from the Cold War era from British production. Manufacturer was the Gloster Aircraft Company .
history
Project planning work on this unusual model had already started in 1947. In March 1948 the Ministry of Supply decided to purchase four prototypes, and in April 1948 a corresponding contract came into force. Four prototypes were also procured from the competing De Havilland DH.110 Sea Vixen . In 1951, the prototype, the world's first fighter with delta wings and delta-shaped T-tail , took off on its maiden flight under the designation GA 5. In 1952 the machine was able to prevail against the DH.110, as its development potential was rated higher by the RAF and the Ministry of Defense. The first prototype lost both elevators within 2 seconds during a high-speed attempt on June 29, 1952. When attempting an emergency landing, the machine broke on the runway and caught fire. The test pilot Bill Waterton was able to save himself from the machine and also recover the flight data recorder. For this he was awarded the George Medal .
In 1954 Gloster delivered the first of 40 standard Javelin FAW.Mk.1. The first squadron was operational from August 1956 and in the area of RAF Germany from August 1957 the 87th Squadron in RAF Brüggen was the first Mk.1 task force. In 1955 the prototype of the FAW.Mk.2 flew, of which 25 machines were built. 1956 appeared a trainer version T.Mk.3, of which 21 machines were built. Due to persistent problems, however, it was not possible to introduce the Javelin into service with the Royal Air Force until 1956 . Marginally improved FAW.Mk.4, Mk.5 and Mk.6 followed. Only the last two series versions Mk.7 and Mk.8 showed significant improvements such as afterburner engines . Series production ended after 436 machines with the Mk.8. Machines that were modernized from the Mk.7 were later designated as the Mk.9.
Javelins were also used as all-weather interceptors by RAF Germany in the late 1950s / early 1960s (see below). Outside of Great Britain, Javelins were also stationed in Cyprus, Zambia, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. In 1964 the last Javelin of the Fighter Command were replaced by Lightnings . The Javelin was further decommissioned in 1966 in Germany and finally in 1968 in Singapore.
Of the total of 436 Gloster Javelins, 105 were lost in accidents.
The Javelin was the last aircraft produced by Gloster. Today around 10 copies can still be found in museums.
variants
A total of 435 copies were built at Gloster and Armstrong-Whitworth , both companies were already part of the Hawker-Siddeley group at that time (see also the information on the designation system for British aircraft ).
- GA.5
- 7 prototypes
- FAW.Mk.1
- Original version of the single-seater with Armstrong-Siddeley-Sapphire- Sa.6 engines with 35.6 kN thrust each, British AI.17 radar , four 30 mm ADEN cannons , 40 new built, in addition the seven prototypes were built converted to FAW.1
- FAW.Mk.2
- Instead of the AI.17 radar with the US- American Westinghouse AN / APQ-43, designated by the RAF as AI-22, 30 was built.
- T.Mk.3
- Two-seat trainer with no radar but with the four cannons, fully articulated elevator, elongated fuselage with greater internal fuel capacity, 22 built plus 1 prototype.
- FAW.Mk.4
- Similar to the FAW.1 with AI.17 radar, with additional vortex generators on the wings for improved stall properties, fully movable elevator, 50 built.
- FAW.Mk.5
- Compared to the FAW.4 with a modified wing structure including additional fuel tanks and the preparation of receiving stations for air-to-air missiles , 64 built.
- FAW.Mk.6
- Variant of the FAW.5, but built with the Westinghouse radar, 33.
- FAW.Mk.7
- Most built Javelin version. Improved Sa.7 engines, each with 48.9 kN thrust extended rear fuselage, armed with two 30 mm ADEN plus four Firestreak -air-air missiles, some FAW.7s (2 relays) were armed only with the four guns, 142 built.
- FAW.Mk.8
- Once again improved Sa.7R engines with afterburner and each 54.7 kN thrust above an altitude of 6,100 m, modified wing leading edges and automatic yaw stabilizer. 47 machines built.
- FAW.Mk.9
- Former FAW.7 with wings and engines from FAW.8, 118 built
- FAW.Mk.9F / R
- FAW.9 with air refueling nozzle, 44 converted
- FAW.Mk.9R
- FAW.9F / R with suspensions for additional wing tanks for greater range, 40 converted.
Technical specifications
| Parameter | Data from the Javelin FAW.Mk.9 |
|---|---|
| crew | 2 |
| length | 17.16 m |
| span | 15.58 m |
| height | 4.88 m |
| Wing area | 86.21 m² |
| Wing loading | 166 kg / m² |
| Empty mass | 10,886 kg |
| Takeoff mass | normal 17,420 kg maximum 19,580 kg |
| Engines | 2 × Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire 204 each 54.00 kN |
| Top speed | 1,140 km / h at 8,000 m 1,105 km / h near the ground |
| Rate of climb | 27.45 m / s |
| Climbing time to 15,250 m | 9:24 min |
| Summit height | 15,865 m |
| Range | maximum 1,530 km |
| Armament | 2 × 30 mm Aden on-board cannons, 4 Fairey Firestreak air-to-air missiles or 4 containers with unguided missiles or 4 bombs weighing 454 kg each |
| radar | Westinghouse AN / APQ-43 |
Station locations in Germany
-
Royal Air Force Germany
- RAF Brüggen , August 1957 to January 1961, Javelin FAW.1 / FAW.4 / FAW.5 ( 87th Squadron )
- RAF Geilenkirchen , January 1959 to January 1966, Javelin FAW.4 / FAW.5 / FAW.8 / FAW.9, ( 3rd , 11th Squadron )
- RAF Laarbruch , January 1960 to December 1962, Javelin FAW.5 / FAW.9 ( 5th Squadron )
literature
- The world's first delta hunter in action. In: Aviation Classics. 6/2014, pp. 28-33.
- Karl-Heinz Eyermann : beam trainer. Deutscher Militärverlag, 1971, p. 122f.
