User:KreyszigB/P.1053

The origins of the P.1052 were in a 1945 design study by the Hawker design team for a development of the P.1040 using swept back wings. Interest was not shown by the MoS, until spring of 1946 when Air Ministry specification E.38/46 (to undertake studies into the aerodynamic properties of swept wings) was issued, and a contract awarded in May 1947 for Hawker  to supply two prototypes.

The P.1052 was similar to the Hawker P.1040 in most aspects, with the main difference being the 35° swept wings, the aerodynamics of which which were developed in conjunction with the RAE at Farnborough. The tailplane was cropped to a shorter span (by removing the P.1040's rounded tips) and was adjustable in incidence to allow changes in trim at the anticipated higher speeds. .

The first prototype (VX272) was was ready in time for static exhibition at the 1948 S.B.A.C Farnborough display, but permission was withheld on grounds of secrecy. It first flew on 19 November 1948, with the the second prototype (VX279) flying  on 13 April 1949.

During the winter of 1949-50 the first prototype had both wings and fuselage strengthened after structural tests on a third, non-flying airframe. At about the same time the second prototype was fitted with a variable incidence tailplane. In 1950 this aircraft was rebuilt with a single jet outlet and swept empennage as the Hawker P.1081. Its now redundant rear fuselage was then strengthened, fitted with an arrestor hook and transferred after some delay to the first prototype. Now the only P.1052, it was fitted with a bullet fairing at the tailplane-fin intersection which improved its high speed behaviour. In May 1952, with a long stroke Sea Hawk undercarriage it undertook much delayed take-off and landing trials on board HMS Eagle. In June it received its last modification, a variable incidence swept tailplane, and it flew on high speed trials with the RAE until a forced landing in September 1953 took it out of service.