Short Brothers SB5 WG768
Serial Number:
WG768
Period:
Post-WWII
Collection Ref: 85/A/06
Location: RAF Museum Cosford, Research & Development
The SB5 was built to compare theories on the design of
the wing and tail configuration of a new fighter, later to be known as
the Lightning.
A technical dispute arose between the Royal Aircraft Establishment and
the English Electric Company (EEC) as to the best configuration for a
proposed new supersonic fighter. A research machine was built to investigate
the low speed handling of the possible configurations. The contract was
awarded to Short Brothers and Harland Ltd of Belfast on 2 August 1950.
The machine was designed to allow three different wing sweep angles (50°,
60° and 69°) and two different tail plane positions, (low on the rear
fuselage and on top of the fin). This necessitated two entirely different
rear fuselages and tail units.
Over the next eleven months the tests with 50° and 60° sweep were concluded
with the high tail configuration. In January 1954 the low tail rear fuselage
was fitted and tests continued for a further two years and proved that
the EEC configuration was correct.
Before fitting the final wing sweep configuration of 69°, an ejector seat
was fitted for the first time and the Rolls-Royce Derwent engine was changed
for a Bristol Orpheus of greater thrust. The aircraft was returned to
RAE Bedford in September 1960. The first flight was made in the new configuration
on 18 October. After completion of its test programme the Empire Test
Pilots School at Boscombe Down flew the machine to give students experience
in flight-testing slender aircraft.
