New TSR2 Book???

[Weaver]

There's an article in this month's Aircraft magazine about TSR.2 by Tim McLelland, obviously intended to promote his book. The conclusions are much as expected in this thread - it was all a big mistake, it was no one person's fault, there was no conspiracy, should have bought the Buccaneer.

I have to say that I pretty much agree with the article (whisper the heresy, but I'm not a TSR.2 fan  ) although I'm in no position to comment on the accuracy or otherwise of his research.

[rickshaw]

I actually tend to agree with you.  I know that will mean I'll be drummed out of the site at dawn!  Seriously, however I have this suspicion that while the TSR.2 was achievable as an aircraft, the systems which were supposed to make it work, weren't.   The Buccaneer however, had quite a bit of stretch in the design and the RN had started out with considerably less of a technological requirement so it was able to fulfill that more easily (and in the end cheaply).   If the RAF had been able to swallow is pride - or the MOD had, had the fortitude to  decree a common requirement - both services would have gotten something whereas in the end the RAF ended up with having to adopt the RN's aeroplane.  However, that of course is water under the bridge and what might have been, never happened.

I've been for sometime trying to figure out how to make a Blackburn P.150 but have yet to get very far.   My experience with the Sea Dingo build has built up my confidence considerably and so I'm more willing to give it a go but I still think its a bit beyond my skills yet.

[Thorvic]

I would wait on Damien's book to be honest, a 96 page pamplet knocked up in 18mths by a Buccaneer fan is hardly going to be the bible on the TSR2.

Rick the TSR2 requirement did actually produce the systems, when asked British Industry did achieve all of its goals and in fact many of the systems then evolved for use on later aircraft. The only factor which worked against them was like the F-22. yes we industry could meet the expectation of the customer but not at an acceptable price 

[Weaver]

Hmmm there'san article posted or linked to over on Secret Projects written by somebody who was involved with TSR.2 avionics development. Reading it, it seems very clear that they were running right on the ragged edge of what was possible, fighting hugely and expensively to wring every last 0.5% of performance out of the components just to meet the basic requirements. There would have been NO stretch in it: any update would have required a complete re-engineering of the avionics at even more expense.

Looking at what was possible even just by the end of the decade for less money/size/weight/risk, I can't help but conclude that the requirement was too far ahead of it's time. Had the whole project been ten years later, it would have worked (technically, politics is a different matter) as the Tornado demonstrated.

[RLBH]

Had the whole project been ten years later, it would have worked (technically, politics is a different matter) as the Tornado demonstrated.

Or indeed had the avionics been less ambitious initially, with a view to upgrading within a couple of years - although that would require decent project management and the foresight to realise that the full specification couldn't be met at first, and that the electronics were progressing quickly enough for that to be a viable strategy.