Twenty-five "Swift F.Mk.3" production models then followed and these switched to the RR "Avon 114" series turbojet which offered an afterburning capability for improved straight-line speeds. However, these were relegated to jet airmen training and never saw formal frontline operational service with the RAF. The F.Mk.4 attempted to continue rectifying issues in the Swift's design, adding a variable-incidence tail for better handling but engine limitations continued to plague the series. This entry proved to be the last Swift accepted into RAF service under the guise of fighter-interceptor - the focus now turned to modifying the Swift to the tactical reconnaissance role.
The low-level, reconnaissance-minded "Swift F.Mk.5" of 1955 added a lengthened nosecone to house camera and recording equipment and dropped two of the four 30mm ADEN cannons. These were introduced into service in 1956 and marked the last major version of the Swift to be taken into formal RAF service. The aircraft had a running length of 42.2 feet, a wingspan of 32.3 feet, and a height of 13.1 feet. Empty weight reached 13,45lb against an MTOW of 21,675lb and power from the Avon RA.7R/114 turbojet engine was 7,175lb of thrust dry and up to 9,450lb of thrust with reheat (afterburner). Maximum speed reached 715 miles-per-hour with a range out to 630 miles, a service ceiling of 45,800 feet, and a rate-of-climb of 14,660 feet-per-minute. Standard armament was 2 x 30mm ADEN cannons as well as provision for conventional drop bombs and aerial rockets.
The "Swift PR.Mk.6" became an unarmed reconnaissance form while the follow-up "Swift F.Mk.7" added a limited air-to-air missile capability as well as a switch to an uprated Avon turbojet engine. Fourteen F.Mk.7 standard fighters were built but retained solely for testing purposes.
In time, the key inherent limitations with the Swift line meant that the competing Hawker Hunter made for a better overall solution in the short-term/long-term. Indeed, the Hunter took on the same roles the Swift attempted and did so satisfactorily. With fewer than 200 Swifts completed, the type was abandoned from frontline service as soon as 1961 (Fighter Command moved on from it back in May of 1955), the series retired in full by 1967. Because of its many issues and poor flight record, it was never a candidate for exportation and only stocked four total RAF squadrons. A few have been preserved as museum pieces.
One last attempt to extract a high-performance, naval-minded supersonic fighter was made through development of the "Type 545" but this endeavor ended as a single prototype - detailed elsewhere on this site.
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