Short SB5 Swept-Wing Research Aircraft
The Short SB5 was a single British experimental aircraft built to investigate the low-speed handling of swept wings for the English Electric P.1, later the Lightning. It first flew at Boscombe Down on December 2, 1952, with a 50-degree-swept wing and high tailplane. Subsequent ground modifications tested 60-degree sweep and a low tailplane. A major rebuild replaced its Derwent engine with an Orpheus and introduced a 69-degree-swept wing; this configuration first flew in October 1960. Wing sweep was changed on the ground, not during flight. The aircraft later investigated leading-edge flow in connection with Concorde and trained test pilots in slender-wing handling. It was withdrawn from use in 1968.
Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.
Identity
- Aliases
- Short SB.5Short S.B.5SB5WG768
- Family Name
- Short SB5
- Full Name
- Short SB5 Swept-Wing Research Aircraft
- Roles
- researchexperimentaltrainer
- Status
- retired
- Type
- aircraft
Details
- Aircraft Specs
- Configuration
- fixed_wing
- Operating Modes
- land
- Takeoff Landing Capabilities
- conventional
- Description
- The Short SB5 was a single British experimental aircraft built to investigate the low-speed handling of swept wings for the English Electric P.1, later the Lightning. It first flew at Boscombe Down on December 2, 1952, with a 50-degree-swept wing and high tailplane. Subsequent ground modifications tested 60-degree sweep and a low tailplane. A major rebuild replaced its Derwent engine with an Orpheus and introduced a 69-degree-swept wing; this configuration first flew in October 1960. Wing sweep was changed on the ground, not during flight. The aircraft later investigated leading-edge flow in connection with Concorde and trained test pilots in slender-wing handling. It was withdrawn from use in 1968.
- First Flight Year
- 1,952
- Last Flight Year
- 1,968
- Propulsion Configurations
- Entries
- Count
- 1
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Variant Notes
- RAF Museum identifies the original Rolls-Royce Derwent 8; linked at canonical Derwent family precision.
- Name
- Original SB5 Derwent 8 installation
- Entries
- Count
- 1
- Propulsion System
- Role
- main
- Variant Notes
- The 1958–1960 rebuild introduced a Bristol BE.26 Orpheus; this is an alternative to the earlier Derwent fit.
- Name
- Rebuilt SB5 Orpheus installation
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:44:15 UTC
- Updated Time
- October 29, 2026 at 15:44:15 UTC