Saunders-Roe SR.53 in German Service

[Leading Observer]

Marineflieger Saunders-Roe SR.53A
The introduction of the production version of the Saunders-Roe SR.53 into service with the German Naval Air Arm [Marineflieger] was not without controversy, as it faced serious completion from the Lockheed F-104.
However, the well publicised handling issues which plagued the F-104, together with favourable reports on the handling characteristics and performance of the SR-53 from both British and German Test Pilots, tipped the balance in favour of the British aircraft, much to the annoyance of Lockheed, who were rumoured to have been offering [and as was subsequently revealed, paid] substantial financial inducements to various Politicians to secure orders from European Air Forces.
The SR.53 gave the Bundesmarine a very capable light weight quick reaction interceptor which served them well for a number of years, until it was eventually replaced by latter variants of the F-104 which was forced on the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger against their better judgement by their Political masters.

[sandiego89]

Looks great! Nice scheme.

[PR19_Kit]

Looks remarkably good in a camo scheme, and the German one works a treat. 

Of course they had a cadre of personnel who were used to handling various rocket fuels already. 

[chrisonord]

That is really smart, it looks right at home in the colour scheme and markings
Chris

[TomZ]

Looks good!

TomZ

[zenrat]

Fab.

[NARSES2]

Certainly looks good in that scheme 

[Steel Penguin]

I believe my rather rusty German is adequate   Ya, Ser gut 
( my apologies if it is that rusty, but if you really want a laugh, remember I have a west country accent, and was taught by some one who spoke with a Berlin accent)    

[PR19_Kit]

.....and was taught by some one who spoke with a Berlin accent)   

Really? What a co-incidence.

My German lecturer at the Goethe Institute in Berlin when I lived there commented that my teacher at school must have come from Berlin as I already had the correct accent.

I have NO idea what differs between a Berlin accent or a normal German one though, perhaps one of our German colleagues here could explain?

The one thing I do know about it is that Berliners (if it's OK to say that...) tend to say 'ney' rather than 'nein' apparently.

[Steel Penguin]

Kit I was told that the lack of any follow after `d`  in der, die or das, d tasse, d kirche, etc was the prime give away,  any further correction, that I can self analyse, ill happily take. 

[kitbasher]

neat!   

[Rheged]

Wunderbar!!     A good example of "what should have  been"

[Dizzyfugu]

Nice! Even though I think the Luftwaffe would rather have used Sidewinders? But the livery works surprisingly good. 

[Glenn Gilbertson]

A really good-looking scheme!

[DogfighterZen]