Constructed in 1956 by Vickers Armstrong LTD at South Marston, Swindon. Serial No. VA9597, one of only twelve F7 aircraft built (XF113-124)
Aircraft XF114 - 124 were destined for trials of the Fireflash air to air missile with No1 Guided weapons Development Squ. at RAF Valley but XF114 was kept on the books of the MOD rather than the RAF.
It was this subtlety that saved XF114 from the scrapman's flame cutters. All the surviving RAF F7 aircraft were scrapped when the trials ended. What little of XF113 remains is at Boscombe Down where it is being restored for exhibition.
XF114 was first flown on 04/09/56 by Les Colquhoun DFC GM DFM. 10 pre release to service flights were carried out. On 14/03/57, Colquhoun delivered her to to A&AEE Boscombe Down. The records show that this was for familiarization flying by Naval pilots. This utilization seems unlikely to have ever taken place. The aircraft's records show that from 03/09/57 and for the rest of the aircraft's operational life, she was used for various tests relating to the "coefficient of friction between aircraft tyres and wet runways" or to us, aquaplaning!
The first contract was 6/Acft/15373/CB9(c) with trials taking place at Wisley, Pershore, Coltishall, West Raynham, Upper Heyford and Filton. These lasted until 16/02/62 when the next contract was awarded, KC/W/063/CB9)c) for "Aquaplaning and Slush Drag" investigations. These took place at Wisley, London Heathrow, Bedford, Weybridge and finally Cranfield.
On 14/04/67, she was struck off charge and after brief storage at Aston Down, sold to Flintshire Technical College, Lelsterton as an instructional airframe.
In the ten years of service, the records we have show that although she hurtled down the runway many times, she had only amassed 12 hours 10 minutes flight time!
http://www.neam.co.uk/swift.html
http://www.heritageaviation.com/swif...tmainframe.htm