TSR2 - A (very) brief outline

TSR.2 has probably had more written about it than any other aircraft. I can't possibly do it justice here.

TSR.2 was a large project to produce a multi-role combat aircraft for the RAF in the 1960s. The aim was to replace the Canberra medium bomber with a supersonic, low-level strike aircraft. It was to be powered by a pair of Bristol Siddeley Olympus turbojets.

The British Aircraft Corporation was formed (more or less) to produce TSR.2 with Vickers being given much of the work, despite the initial studies being carried out bt English Electric as the P.17.



As can be seen from this image the TSR.2 carried a large amount of electronics. Some might suggest that the role of these avionics was beyond the capability of technology of the 1960s. This technology led to delays, which in turn led to cost over-runs, which led to the cancellation of the entire project.


There were plans for a long-range interceptor version of TSR.2, OR.346 and even a requirement for a replacement, OR.355, which was sent back to the Requirements Branch with the criticism that it was "...too conservative."

 

TSR.2 provokes ire amongst aviation historians. In fact if you took everyone with a view on TSR.2 and laid them end to end, they would never reach a conclusion.

Rather than include a link here, try inputting "TSR.2" into your search engine.


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