Hawker P.1052

The Hawker P.1052 was a British experimental jet aircraft built by Hawker for trials with swept wings. It began as a 1945 study for a swept-wing development of the P.1040, which became the Sea Hawk, and gained official interest in 1946 with Specification E.38/46 on the aerodynamics of swept wings. Two prototypes were ordered in May 1947. The wing was swept 35 degrees, developed with the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, and the Rolls-Royce Nene turbojet was retained. The first prototype, VX272, flew on 19 November 1948 and the second, VX279, on 13 April 1949; VX279 was rebuilt in 1950 as the P.1081. VX272 took part in deck trials on HMS Eagle in 1952, was withdrawn in September 1953 after a forced landing, and is displayed at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. It helped lead Hawker to the Hunter.