TSR 2 Test Flight

Oh dear, who needs a history lesson then? TSR2 was cancelled by Harold Wilson's Labour government.

Wasnt this project bought out by Americans to kill it?

I think the russian plane in question was probaly the Mig 25 although the Americans claimed that it was modeled on the their Vigilante. Personally I think both planes resemble the TSR2. Its just a case of finding out which of the planes came first.

Pretty high angle of attack on landing there. Those wings sure are small...

One of the critical requirements for TSR2 was for a smooth ride at high speeds (supersonic) at low level (under 200feet) to reduce pilot fatigue. At the time, this could be only acceived with small wings. Testing showed that bumpiness was achieved at 1 per minuite, the Buccaneer, a plane known for its smooth ride, achieved 10 per minuite in similar tests at this altitude at much slower speeds.

I heard cancelled at bequest of the USA who had information that the Russians had infiltrated some of the partner production plants in Canada? Also ballastic missles were seen as the future (again think the USA had hand in killing off Blue Streak UK missle project in deal to supply Titan/Polaris). Anyway would have been superb plane. I think Russia did get hold of plans and copied but can't remember the model this turned out to be? Anyone?

I think it may have been the Americains who stole the plans, they called it the F-111.

Britain had not got enough money to fund such a project. Remember that this was the time of devaluation of the pound and major economic issues. TSR2s budget was running away and the government got scared. Very sad in many ways as it would have become a major aircraft. XR220 is housed 5 miles up the road from me at Cosford. She still looks modern.

TSR2 was canceled by Labour on cost grounds and the RAF eventually got the Buccaneer as a replacement after Harold Wilson and Co. had ordered and then canceled the F-111K. I clearly remember Dennis Healey on TV saying how much cheaper the Buccaneer was. The truth is though that once the total cost of both the TSR2 and F-111K - including cancellation costs of both - is added to the equation, each Buccaneer ended up costing the taxpayer more than TSR2 would have done.

TSR2 was a good demonstration of british capabilty in aircraft design. I've been interested in postwar design in the uk for some time and have been very surprised in our expertise. TSR2 was just one of a large number of mind bogling projects. The aircraft I REALLY would have liked to see was the English Electric P.10. A mach 3 ramjet powered recon/bomber!!