TSR-2: The Untold Story (Part 1)

The Untold Story features the controversial aircraft that was a technological triumph for Britain, a world beating tactical, strike and reconnaissance aircraft years ahead of its time. Had it ever seen service it would have been the most powerful weapon in the NATO arsenal. And yet it was scrapped. Why? TSR2 - The Untold Story reveals the international intrigue and high stake politics behind the cancellation - and reveals how a £200,000,000 aircraft project was reduced to just £50,000 worth of scrap metal. When the project was scrapped - all film records of the aircraft were ordered destroyed. However, much was hidden away in secret. The makers of this unique film were given exclusive access to that hidden original film archive material. Much of this is in pristine condition and includes stunning air to air sequences of the TSR2 in flight, take offs and the first flight. Also featured are exclusive interviews with leading politicians of the time, senior RAF officers who were closely involved with the TSR2 programme and the chief test pilot.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• tsr
• tsr2
• tsr-2
• bac
• electric
• english
• british
• clasic
• jets

[stubbostubbs]

Never before had a project been so totally obliterated from memory.

[flygweilo]

@stubbostubbs I was an aviation-mad kid of 10 when the TSR2 was flying, and was scrapped. Back then, I knew every detail, every specification and I followed every test flight. I was devastated when it was scrapped for the greatly-inferior General Dynamics F-111.

But the US had been trying to put an end to Britain's aircraft design & manufacturing industry for ages, and had already done the same thing to the VC7 airliner (the V.1000 in military form). The VC7 story is even more appalling.

[xcaibur]

PATRIOTISM, that's whats lacking in Britain, especially in its LEADERS !

[cyberkirb]

The story of the TSR-2 and the Avro Arrow are strangely similar. Maybe the British government didn't want to be out done in the "Stupid" catagory by a former colony.

[TSR1989FF]

@flygweilo Bang on.

It's somewhat ironic that although the VC7/V1000 was such a relatively large Jet Airliner, yet so few people today know she even existed, as compared to the TSR-2, P.1154, SR-177, & other contempory prematurely axed projects.

And yes you are correct, the axing of the VC-7 (co-currently with the de-Havilland Comet A's Metal Fatigue problems) cost us Brit's our share of the Global Airliner Market

(apart from our part in Airbus, Boeing's only remaining rival in the Market).

[TSR1989FF]

@sakoshooter48 ...

Your Argument also Falls apart on it's primary standpoint, if TSR-2 was a ""White Elephant"" (as you claim), then so was the F-111 /TU-22M Backfire/ Mirage IV etc

(as they were designed for the SAME Role!, which the XB-70 was not).

Not till Rockwell International's "B-1 Lancer" first Prototype flew in 1974, that the US had a Aircraft of TSR-2's Calibre. And due to very similar Political Ineptitude, the USAF didn't get her till the mid 1980's.

Consider your claim(s): BUSTED!

[TSR1989FF]

@sakoshooter48 It is clear to see you're speaking from a position of complete Ignorance, or your just a extremely Bigoted Yank

(i'd say both).

The BAC TSR-2 outclassed the ""F-111"" in General Performance, Avionics, and ironically Unit cost as well. the F-111 as compared was years late in both USAF & RAAF Service, never met it's Fudged Performance Claims, & cost the US & Australian Governments far beyond original estimates (one reason why the UK cancelled the F-111K order for the RAF).

[funkyassfingers]

When I saw this at Duxford I was more impressed at the sight of it than the blackbird. A truly amazing aircraft, and a real tribute to great British engineering and innovation. It's a shame how stupid out politicians are.

[sakoshooter48]

@stubbostubbs Really, I can remember a few American projects which suffered the same fate, the XB-37 flying wing comes to mind, so does the Vought F-8 Super Crusader and the North American F-107 Rapier. The TSR-2 was a white elephant before it ever got off of the drawing boards.

[sakoshooter48]

@flygweilo Greatly inferior, you are talking through your ass as the F-111 served for almost 40 years. No aircraft is without its faults, and the F-111 had a few. But never was there a fighter bomber more feared by the Soviets than the F-111.

[sakoshooter48]

@newmanfrigan I didn't 'jam in the mud', it jammed because there were no cleaning kits or instructions issued with the rifle. The gunpowder of the first lots of ammunition was filthy burning and compounded the failure issue with all of the carbon dumped into the receiver. The M-14 was a great rifle, no doubt, as its reissue will attest to. The M-16 is the longest serving rifle in our history, and it has had its moments, but it does soldier on.

[sakoshooter48]

@stubbostubbs And I'm sure a no-load such as yourself has a "real" grasp on life, especially aviation I'm sure. TSR-2 was an aircraft that was obsolete before it ever flew!