#PREMIER AIRCRAFT DESIGN SHORTS SERIES#

These pairs of engines could be swivelled fore-and-aft to produce vectored thrust for acceleration/deceleration along the aircraft's longitudinal axis. The lift engines were mounted vertically in side-by-side pairs in a central bay so that their resultant thrust line passed close to the centre of gravity of the aircraft. It was powered by four vertically-mounted, lightweight Rolls-Royce RB.108 lift engines that provided a total vertical thrust of 8,600В lb, along with a single RB.108 cruise engine in the rear of the aircraft to provide thrust for forward flight. The Short SC.1 was a single-seat low wing tailless delta wing aircraft of approximately 8,000В lb all-up weight (max.

Short constructed two prototypes, designated XG900 and XG905.

#PREMIER AIRCRAFT DESIGN SHORTS SERIES#

As envisioned, the aircraft was to be used for a series of flight tests to investigate its behaviour during the transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes, to determine the optimum and minimum level of assistance required from the auto-stabiliser during the transition process, to uncover likely operational issues, and to develop related support aids and equipment for the pilot to develop an all-weather approach and landing system. On 15 October 1954, the proposed design was accepted by the Ministry and a contract was promptly placed for two aircraft to meet Specification ER.143D. The SC.1 has its origins in a submission by Short Brothers to meet a Ministry of Supply (MoS) request for tender (ER.143T) for a vertical take-off research aircraft, which had been issued in September 1953. There was a need for an aircraft that would exploit the experience gained from the Thrust Measuring Rig, and to explore areas beyond its limited capability. However, while the Thrust Measuring Rig had provided valuable insight for designing VTOL aircraft, such as the requirement for an auto-stabilisation system, it suffered from some deficiencies that undermined its value as a platform for further detailed research, such as control lag and a lack of aerodynamic surfaces. During the 1950s, Britain had flight-tested the purpose-built Rolls-Royce Thrust Measuring Rig, a crude but pioneering VTOL aircraft that successfully flew as envisioned, demonstrating the viability of the concept as well as providing useful data to build upon. Дuring the 1940s, various nations became interested in developing viable aircraft capable of vertical take-offs and landings (VTOL). In October 2012, the Short SC.1 received Northern Ireland's first Engineering Heritage Award as a recognition of its significant achievement in the engineering field. Research data from the SC.1 test programme contributed to the development of the Hawker Siddeley P.1127 and the subsequent Hawker Siddeley Harrier, the first operational VTOL aircraft. Two prototypes were used for flight testing between 19. The SC.1 was designed and produced in response to a Ministry of Supply (MoS) requirement for a suitable aircraft for conducting flight studies into VTOL flight, as well as specifically into the transition between vertical and horizontal flight. The SC.1 had the distinction of being the first British fixed-wing VTOL aircraft and the first one to transition between vertical and horizontal flight modes it was also the first VTOL-capable aircraft with a fly-by-wire control system. It was powered by an arrangement of five Rolls-Royce RB.108 turbojets, four of which were used for vertical flight and one for conventional horizontal flight.

The Short SC.1 was the first British fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing ( VTOL) jet aircraft.

Short SC.1 XG900 at Farnborough SBAC Show September 1958

Premier aircraft design shorts