This Short SB5 research aeroplane is in the Royal Air Force Museum at Cosford.
Despite its bizarre looks, this was a research aircraft for the English Electric P1A, which ultimately became the English Electric Lightning.
There were three sets of wings for the Short SB5. One set at 69 degrees of sweep, one at 60 and one at 50 degrees. This enabled aerodynamic data to be collected to establish exactly the best sweep angle for the P1A.
The tail section was also interchangeable, between a high or low mounted tail plane.
The engine was the same as used in Concorde!!
If you have any experience of this Short SB5, as an engineer, air crew, designer, builder, anything, any anecdotes or information on this SB5, or any other aeroplane, which you would like to see published here, please drop me a note. Thank you.
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