Fairey Delta 1

The Fairey Delta 1, or FD1, was a compact tailless research aircraft with a mid-mounted delta wing, the first British designed aircraft to have one. It began as the Type R, a ramp-launched vertical takeoff fighter concept, and was reshaped to Specification E.10/47 to study the flight of delta wings at transonic speeds. Three were ordered by the Ministry of Supply, powered by a Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 turbojet, but only one was completed at Heaton Chapel. It first flew on 12 March 1951, showed poor handling and stability, and was damaged beyond economic repair in a landing accident on 6 February 1956.