Pavla Models U72175 Fireflash missiles for Swift F.Mk. 7 For Airfix

The Fireflash is a British air-to-air guided missile from the Cold War period. The missile entered service with the RAF in the mid-1950s and only remained in service until 1958. The missile weight did not exceed 150 kilograms, and its length was up to approx. 2.8 meters. The maximum speed was around 2 Ma, while the range was only 3.1 kilometers. The Fireflash missile was developed at Fairey Aviation for the needs of British Air Force fighter machines. It was characterized by a very unusual structure, because it consisted of three elements: two rocket motors located at the top and bottom of the actual missile, and the missile itself with a warhead. The missile was radar-guided and required constant illumination of the target by a radar beam. What's more, the Fireflash had a very low effective range. All this meant that it was perceived in the RAF as a rather unsuccessful and not very versatile weapon. It was also withdrawn from the line very quickly. One can risk a statement that the RAF used the presented missile primarily for training purposes. During the service it was carried mainly by Supermarine Swift planes.