Saunders Roe Spectre F.1

[Devilfish]

To meet a requirement for an interceptor, to counter Soviet bombers, Saunders Roe looked at the us of rocket engines, as current jet technology wasn't powerful enough, and couldn't react to power changes quickly.

The problem with rockets, as the Germans found out, is that they burn fuel very quickly.  To counter this, SR fitted a Gyron Junior jet to allow the aircraft to take off, land and cruise, with the Spectre rocket used for acceleration and climbing.

Ordered as a back-up to the EE Lightning, the Spectre turned out to be the perfect compliment, as it had a climb rate more than double that of the Lightning.

Normally armed with 2 Firestreak missiles and 2 drop tanks. The tanks could be replaced with extra missiles if the mission necessitated.

The kit is the 1/48 resin offering from Simian kits (ex- Heritage), through Kits for cash

DSC_0790 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
DSC_0793 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
DSC_0795 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
DSC_0791 by Paul Carter, on Flickr
DSC_0792 by Paul Carter, on Flickr

[Tophe]

Unusual and well made...

[The Wooksta!]

SR.53 had a Viper engine - it's too small for a Gyron Junior which would had went in the larger SR.177.  The engines from the cancelled SR177 batch went in the Bristol 188  and were VERY fuel thirsty.

[Devilfish]

SR.53 had a Viper engine - it's too small for a Gyron Junior which would had went in the larger SR.177.  The engines from the cancelled SR177 batch went in the Bristol 188  and were VERY fuel thirsty.

You're right, my mistake. I was so hung up on the Spectre engine, I got mixed up on my jets, lol

[NARSES2]

Very nice 

I didn't even realise there was a 1/48th kit

[Devilfish]

Very nice 

I didn't even realise there was a 1/48th kit

https://www.kitsforcash.com/1-48th-saunders-roe-sr53-i4355.htm

[Hobbes]

Well done 

[The Rat]

Definitely one sexy aircraft, and a model that does it justice! 

[zenrat]

Looks good.