Short Brothers SC.1

**gray** · 02 February 2020, 07:15 PM

The Short SC.1 was the first British fixed-wing VTOL jet . It was developed by Short Brothers. Powered by an arrangement of five Rolls-Royce turbojets, four for vertical flight and one for horizontal flight. The SC.1 was the first British fixed-wing VTOL aircraft to transition to horizontal flight and used fly by wire technology.
Two prototypes were built and used for flight testing between 1957 and 1971. Research from this program led to the Harrier jump jet.
This plane was a suggestion by Paul, who thought it was an interesting design. Thanks Paul, it was an neat looking little aircraft. My only complaint for the design was it should have had retractable landing gear.

**wizard509** · 02 February 2020, 08:27 PM

Awesome as usual Gray. So good in fact it makes me wonder about the plane photographing it must be (rolling,banking?) in the opposite direction because of the angle of the horizon. I've been trying to visualize it but I could be wrong there. Whatever I like it a lot.

**Jeffdoute** · 02 February 2020, 08:32 PM

Amazing as always.

**Gypsyjoe** · 02 February 2020, 11:01 PM

Very cool Gray thanks for another great one.

**pauland** · 02 February 2020, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by gray

This plane was a suggestion by Paul, who thought it was an interesting design. Thanks Paul, it was an neat looking little aircraft. My only complaint for the design was it should have had retractable landing gear.

Super job Gray, thanks for doing it.

I suspect that given that it was a research aircraft for VTOL and nothing else, the pilots felt it would be wise to have the landing gear deployed at all times! I know that the early Harriers had a nickname of the "widowmaker" so I think always having the undercarriage ready might have made them a bit happier. Who knows.

I love the look of the plane, very 1950's and you could put it straight into a Dan Dare story.

**spondoolix** · 03 February 2020, 12:26 AM

Great work and fascinating to learn about it and to know that the research contributed to the jump jet design.

In your rendition, it looks like some nasty and dangerous insect.

**MarcT** · 03 February 2020, 02:34 PM

Cool drawing Gray!

Thats a funky plane, it's short and Short's.
The pilot must have great visibility.
I wonder what are the black strips on the top.

Marc

**gray** · 03 February 2020, 05:41 PM

Thanks Larry, Jeff, Joe, Paul, TJB, Marc for having a look and leaving a comment.
Larry I think if you were in another plane you would be on the starboard side rolling at the same angle. Good thing I don't have to figure that out.

Paul, you're probably right on the fixed gear.
Marc, the 4 vertical Rolls Royce engines used for lift sit under those vents. They pull their air through them.

**wizard509** · 03 February 2020, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by gray

Larry I think if you were in another plane you would be on the starboard side rolling at the same angle. Good thing I don't have to figure that out.

Would it? I'll just take your word for it been trying to figure that out finally I came to the conclusion you are correct, so sorry that I questioned that.

**Egg Bramhill** · 05 February 2020, 01:58 AM

Strange where the internet takes you! I looked at your drawing gray and it reminded me of a bumble-bee (almost impossible to fly) which led me to this LINK

Great drawing as ever!