TSR-2 Lives Again?
- Thread starter TheMann
- Start date
Nick P
Donor
Much of the TSR.2 project went on to be used by the RAF in other forms.
For the Recon role they'd created a ground unit specifically for fast development of photos and reading of collected radar data, based around the dedicated recon package for the TSR.2. This was continued in use by the Canberra, Phantom, Jaguar and Tornado squadrons. One of these intel machines can be seen at the Intelligence Corps Museum at Chicksands.
The in-plane mapping unit featured a rolling map that enabled the crew to see where they were instantly rather than rely on their memory and folding maps in the cockpit. This ability wasn't seen again until the Tornado.
I'm sure there were plenty of other items that saw later use.
For the Recon role they'd created a ground unit specifically for fast development of photos and reading of collected radar data, based around the dedicated recon package for the TSR.2. This was continued in use by the Canberra, Phantom, Jaguar and Tornado squadrons. One of these intel machines can be seen at the Intelligence Corps Museum at Chicksands.
The in-plane mapping unit featured a rolling map that enabled the crew to see where they were instantly rather than rely on their memory and folding maps in the cockpit. This ability wasn't seen again until the Tornado.
I'm sure there were plenty of other items that saw later use.
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A new updated Buc was under serious consideration should there have been any problems with MRCA. Consider for one that a supersonic Buc had been proposed to the RAF at the same time as TSR2 and indeed later on as a possible air defence fighter. There were loads of Buccaneer derivations produced by Blackburns even an AEW variant. One of the last variants under serious consideration was a Ravenesque Buccaneer (as in the EF111) coupled with wild weasel operation, this was under serious consideration in late 1980s unfortunately not proceeded with due to cuts post end of Cold War.
But, wiki pointed out that a later generation of Tornado had most of the TSR.2 goodies, already, meaning whatever was AFFORDABLE was already in service by then, and, as pointed out, in other British fighter refits. So, why?
And it had no idea of stealth atall, of course, meaning it'd be too obsolete for new buys in the 80s.
And, Riain, our B-52s are going to be the lifetime champions for at least the next half century, apparently.
And, on US service, TSR2 was in even worse trouble than F111, such rough trouble it got canned for being overpriced, not a help for selling abroad either.
And it had no idea of stealth atall, of course, meaning it'd be too obsolete for new buys in the 80s.
And, Riain, our B-52s are going to be the lifetime champions for at least the next half century, apparently.
And, on US service, TSR2 was in even worse trouble than F111, such rough trouble it got canned for being overpriced, not a help for selling abroad either.
The RAAF F111s were delivered 7 years late and went from $150 million to $350 million, it was this same price and time blowout that caused the British to cancel the F111K after 46 million pounds had been spent. I don't think the TSR2 was unique for cost blowouts, I think the British govt is unique for stupidity.
Archibald
Banned
What's wrong with subsonic aircrafts ? they have much longer range than any supersonic bomber. The Bucc certainly had better range than either the F-111, TSR-2 or Tornado.
The same thing happened in France: the SO-4050 Vautour was neglected in favour of the Mirage IV. Yet the Israeli air force did a terrific use of the Vautour in the six day war (they bombed Luxor airfield deep in Egypt, flying on a single engine to save fuel !)
The same thing happened in France: the SO-4050 Vautour was neglected in favour of the Mirage IV. Yet the Israeli air force did a terrific use of the Vautour in the six day war (they bombed Luxor airfield deep in Egypt, flying on a single engine to save fuel !)
That's news to me, the F111 carried over 5000 US gallons of fuel internally, the Buccaneer less than 1900. The Bucc would want to be seriously fuel-efficient to make 2/5 of the fuel stretch further than the F111s massive fuel load.
The TSR2 had an internal fuel capacity of 5650 imperial gallons, again way more than the Bucc.