Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:39:15-2:40:10

Why the Supermarine Scimitar's short career was normal for its generation

Rapid improvement in early carrier jets produced short design generations, so the Scimitar's twelve years of service do not by themselves prove a uniquely poor aircraft.

Aircraft DevelopmentFleet Air ArmNaval AviationRoyal NavySupermarine Scimitar
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Question

Would a better-designed Supermarine Scimitar have remained in service longer?

Short answer

Perhaps, but its twelve-year career was already normal for a rapidly maturing generation of naval jet aircraft.

Notes

The panel resists describing the Scimitar as simply badly designed. Early jet carrier aviation was advancing so quickly that a replacement could already be under development as a new aircraft entered service. Short generations characterized many contemporary designs, including this British type. In that context, service from 1957 to 1969 was a respectable run. A better version might last somewhat longer, but the pace of technological change would still push the fleet toward newer aircraft.