File:TSR2 XR220 (47014156371).jpg

The BAC TSR2 was designed as a multi-role combat aircraft for the RAF.

The requirements were complex and demanding and once test flying started in 1964 the test aircraft did have some technical difficulties to overcome (as do most new, innovative aircraft).

Three were built and one, XR219, was test flown. Costs started to rise and in 1965 the government made the controversial decision to scrap the programme, despite the development of the aircraft starting to show good progress.

Instead the government chose to buy the American F111 swing-wing aircraft but as that one became more expensive they cancelled their order for that too. Eventually they settled for the Blackburn Buccaneer and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, both of which were capable aircraft but had both been rejected some years before in favour of the TSR2 ... so back to square one. Ironically if the TSR2 had been allowed to enter service with the RAF it would very likely have served them well for years to come.

All in all a sad reflection of the short-sightedness of the British government of the time. The two surviving intact examples of the TSR2 can still be seen, XR222 at the RAF Museum at Hendon and XR220 at the RAF Museum at Cosford. I managed to see both in 2015. Underneath XR222, coloured dark green, is Britain's last type of nuclear bomb, the WE.177, which the TSR2 was designed to carry.