(BAC) TSR-2 @·AIRCRAFTUBE

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    BAC TSR-2
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    BAC TSR-2
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    XR219 - Warton 1966
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    BAC TSR-2
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    First Flight
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    BAC TSR-2
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    XR219 - 1964
  • BAC TSR-2 BAC TSR-2
    BAC TSR-2
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    BAC TSR-2
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    BAC TSR-2 (XR219)
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    BAC TSR-2
  • BAC TSR-2 BAC TSR-2
    BAC TSR-2
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    BAC TSR-2
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    XR219
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    Duxford
  • Imperial War Museum Imperial War Museum
    Imperial War Museum

BAC TSR.2

Story of a failure

In March 1957, the English Ministry of Supply issued document G.O.R.339 calling for a short take-off - Long range - All weather - Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance Aircraft to enter service in 1964, replacing the Canberra and the ageing V-bombers (Valiant, Vulcan, Victor). The TSR (Tactical - Strike - Reconnaissance) aircraft should be a high subsonic speed cruiser, able to strike his target at low level and supersonic speed. At high altitude, the aircraft should be able to fly at Mach 2 and reach targets 1,000 nm away (And more with in-flight refuelling) with nuclear or conventional bomb load.

Among other constructors, Blackburn Aircraft proposed an improved version of the Buccaneer that would almost fulfil the requirements at a much lower cost, but this wasn't enough for the RAF deciders who still though of the Buccaneer as a naval aircraft.

In June 1959, and after long discussions on the need for manned aircrafts in the future, the first development contract was placed, with an initial 62 million pounds budget. The BAC company was created in 1960 with shares from Vickers-Armstrong, English-Electric and Bristol. On the other hand a Bristol-Siddeley group would develop the Olympus 22R engine. By the year 1962, development costs had more than doubled, with bad effectiveness from BAC causing more delay for construction of the first prototype. Some ideas to justify the ever increasing costs where found, like fitting the TSR.2 with cruise missiles (That did not exist yet) or selling the plane to the USAF or Australian Air Force.

The TSR.2 predicted service entry had slipped back to late 1967 and by June 1963, the expected cost had risen to 220 million pounds. Despite all that, an order was placed for eleven pre-production TSR.2s.

The Olympus engines had many problems, the most serious being a Vulcan testbed aircraft exploding on the ground in December 1962. Engines had also to be modified as they did not fit into place, (another sign of the poor communications between the different contractors) and finally, it was established that full power thrust could not be maintained without serious danger.

In the begin of 1964, the first prototype was brought to Boscombe Down, causing more problems as neither company had an infrastructure over there. Finally, in May, with an estimated cost of 240 million and despite more engine problems, the first prototype (XR219) was ready for testing.

The first flight took place on the 27th of September (Pilot Roland P. Beamont and navigator D. J. Bowen), shortly after the labour government had come to power, leading to another review of the project. At this time, the American TFX aircraft (Later the F-111) came to life and was seriously studied as a less costly alternative.

After solving big gear retraction/extension problems and engines replacement, supersonic speed was attained on the 14th flight, on 22 February 1965. The aircraft proving good stability at all speeds. This was to be the only supersonic flight of the TSR.2.

BAC always refused the idea of a fixed price contract and from 1965, more and more pressure was added against the project. In April of that year, the Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, announced the cancellation of the TSR.2 project, as the estimated total cost had risen to 750 millions pounds at that time. The three planes built were immediately grounded and never flew again.

From 1969, the role of long-range strike aircraft was given to the ground version of the Buccaneer (S.2A and S.2B), that same aircraft that had been refused 12 years before, the F-4 Phantom being used as tactical attack aircraft.

Equipments

  • Two Martin Baker Mk.8A ejection seats.
  • Highly loaded wing equipped with blown flaps for short take-off performance. No ailerons.
  • Variable air intakes for the two twin-spool Olympus engines (which where to become the Concorde's power plants later) with water injection.
  • Radio altimeter, radar, Doppler navigation, and INS (Inertial Navigation System) from the US Autonetics Verdan Company (Same as for the A-5 Vigilante) gave the TSR.2 high precision blind attack capabilities. For reconnaissance, cameras, a side-looking radar, and a line scanner where to be installed in the bomb bay.
  • Landing gear: Two in line wheels main gear that caused many vibrations problems at landing.

Museums

One aircraft to be seen in the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, and another one on display at Cosford Aerospace Museum in Wolverhampton.

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BAC TSR.2

  • Role : Tactical strike/reconnaissance.
  • National origin : United Kingdom.
  • Manufacturer : British Aircraft Corporation.
  • First flight : 27 September 1964.
  • Status : Project cancelled.
  • Number built : 3.

    • Specifications

  • Length : 27.13 m.
  • Height : 7.32 m.
  • Wing Span : 11.28 m.
  • Wing Area : 65 m².
  • Empty Weight : 20,334 kg.
  • Max. Weight : 34,500 kg.
  • Fuel : 25,400 l.
  • Load internal : 454 kg x 6.
  • Load external : 2,722 kg.
  • Max. Speed : 2,185 km/h.
  • Low Level Speed : 1,352 km/h.
  • Action radius : 1,850 km.
  • Max. Range : 6,860 km.
  • Engines : Bristol Siddeley Olympus Mk.320
  • Thrust : 13,865 kg.
  • Dry Thrust : 8,880 kg.

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This text stays momentarily aircraftube.com©´s property, before its full or partial integration to Wikipedia.
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