TSR-2

The BAC TSR-2 was to be the RAF's foremost combat aircraft for the 1960's onwards, replacing the Canberra in the Tactical Strike/Reconnaissance role. The aircraft was to have supersonic capability at tree-top height and was the first aircraft in the World to be equipped with a Head-Up-Display (HUD). The TSR project was subsequently murdered in 1964 by a short-sighted Labour government, and all project material and prototypes ordered destroyed. A decision motivated mostly by pressure from the US to not compete with their F-111 Aardvark in the global market. Music: Gary Jules - Mad World.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• tsr2
• raf
• coldwar

[theredraven]

Great video but you forget to mention at the side that it wasn't just TSR 2 they murdered.

It was the ENTIRE British aircraft industry.

[stratandteleman]

I'd forgotten just how beautiful TSR2 was. Another outstanding example of British flair and design, only to be sacrificed on the alter of British politics.

[DeadMemories03]

1:40 is the most perfect looking plane I've ever seen in flight, great video by the way thanks.

[mgxp]

It looks so modern, obviously before its time. What a shame it was killed.

[BigBeakedCrow]

3:43 looks more like a Lightning to me.

I was born many years after the development, but I still feel sad this beautiful plane was murdered.

[bolar500]

What a beautiful airplane. What it could have been is only all up to anybody's guess. I went to Duxford just to see and touch it. So sad....the number plate of my car is TSR 002, in remembrance of British engineering in excellence.

[taxus750]

Apart from its technical prowess it was a simply stunning looking plane and something I'd forgotten about till I saw this. Yet another very sad story of pioneering British design, ingenuity and skill screwed by the clowns we elect and the bureaucrats who serve them.

[Sirwankerful]

I saw a book written by someone close to the project "The Murder of the TSR2" back in the early 80's.

Anyone else heard of it?

Cheers,

Martin.

[Lex5576]

On it's first test flights, the TSR2 left the escorting Lightnings in it's dust!!....and the TSR-2 was only at two-thirds throttle. Lightnings aren't slow at top speed either(1500+mph), but they simply couldn't keep up with that TSR-2. That was ultra performance in those days, and still that way in today's standards.

[Giselle76502]

Just as beutiful as the Spitfire, Lancaster, Concord, Hunter and many more

[TSR1989RN]

@MrDazturismo "there is no remains of this awesome aircraft left"

Not quite, we still have TSR-2's XR-220 (the 2nd Prototype to be completed) & XR-222, at RAF Cosford & Duxford respectively.

BOTH of which are still 100% Structurally Intact (they were never flown thus have none of the wear & tear of most period Aircraft), & with enough time & money could be returned to Flying Condition (assuming unlike Restored Lightning's the Government wouldn't prevent them from being flown in GB).

[Ram69Rod]

The person responsible for cancelling this project was Denis Healey who was the Secretary of State for Defense. It was his decsion to favour the American F1-11 project. But the cost overrun and a weak Pound made the American aircraft subsequently more expensive than if he had of carried on with our TSR2.

It was one of the worst ever decisions and it knifed in the back our own home grown technology and tecnological independance. A disgraceful episode of dodgy politics.