Editing Supermarine Swift (section)

{{Short description|British single-seat jet-propelled fighter aircraft}}
<!-- This article is a part of [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft]]. Please see [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Aircraft/page content]] for recommended layout. -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name = Swift
 |image = File:Swift2.jpg
 |image_bprder = yes
 |caption = Swift F Mk.2 ''WK242'' / "P" of [[No. 56 Squadron RAF|No. 56 Sqn.]]
 |type = [[fighter aircraft|Fighter]], [[interceptor aircraft|interceptor]]
 |national_origin = United Kingdom
 |manufacturer = [[Supermarine|Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd.]]
 |designer = 
 |first_flight = 29 December 1948 (Type 510)
 |introduction = 1954
 |retired = 1967
 |status = Retired
 |primary_user = [[Royal Air Force]]
 |more_users = <!--up to three more; please separate with <br/>-->
 |produced = <!--years in production, e.g. 1970-1999, if still in active use but no longer built-->
 |number_built = 197
 |unit cost = 
 |developed_from = [[Supermarine Attacker]]
 |variants =
 |developed_into = [[Supermarine 545]]
}}

The '''Supermarine Swift''' is a British single-seat [[jet propulsion|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&nbsp;mph (1,187&nbsp;km/h).

After a protracted development period, the Swift entered service as an [[interceptor aircraft]] with the RAF in 1954. However, due to a spate of accidents incurred by the type, the Swift was grounded for a time, and had a relatively brief service life. The problems with the Swift led to a public scandal surrounding the development and performance of the aircraft, harming the reputations of the British government, the RAF, and the British aircraft industry.

Ultimately, the less problematic [[Hawker Hunter]] assumed much of the role intended for the Swift and only half as many Swifts were manufactured as had once been intended. A later [[aerial reconnaissance|photo reconnaissance]] variant of the Swift had resolved some of the teething problems, but that proved to be too late for it to regain favour. An advanced derivative of the Swift that was to be capable of [[transonic]] speeds, the [[Supermarine 545]], was also under development during the early 1950s. However, it was cancelled in 1955, principally due to the poor performance of the Swift.