Fairey Delta 2

[Riain]

When the RAF has hundreds of Hunters able to be converted into the FGA role, hundreds of Canberra for the light bomber role and a hundred or more V bombers for the medium bomber role there is no need for a versatile lightweight fighter-bomber.

In the mid-late 50s Britain was a quasi superpower who didn't have a requirement for multirole aircraft as much as other powers. She was still in the market for top notch single role aircraft much like the USA and USSR, and if these aircraft (F101, F104, F106, Su15, Mig 21) aren't as adaptable as other aircraft then who cares, they have fleets of other, more appropriate aircraft for those roles.

 

[Just Leo]

The government white paper said the RAF didn't have a requirement for manned aircraft period. As such, Britain didn't need a viable, thriving aircraft industry, and this condition was met. The FD2 might have become more than just a versatile lightweight bomber. The Mirage/Nesher/Kfir/Dagger/Cheetah certainly found other things to do. The FD2 might have served as a cash cow.

 

[Riain]

As such all discussion is moot.

However I will point out that the Mirage III was developed to meet the needs of the French Air Force first and foremost, no export customer paid for it's development.