TSR 2 squadrons

[uk 75]

A friend of mine who does research in the National Archives came across some interesting info in a March 1964 document on British Defence Strategy.  Drawing on an RAF plan document it states that TSR 2 squadrons would have been deployed between 1968 (first half squadron in the UK) and 1971.  Eventual squadrons would have been:

UK  (Bomber Command)

2 Strike squadrons

2 Recce squadrons

RAF Germany

2 Strike squadrons

2 Recce squadrons

Cyprus (Near East Air Force)

1 Strike squadron

1 Recce squadron

Far East

1 Strike/Recc squadron

The document does not give the number of ac or squadron details.

It also mentions that HS 681 A medium transporter joining service in 1971 at half squadron strength and working up to full strength in 1972 with additional squadrons in the Middle East and the Far East.

No details or reference is made to the HS 1154 (except briefly mention is made of a Sea Vixen replacement).

I have asked my friend to have a look for the RAF plan document.  It seems likely that HS 1154 and HS 681 strengths would have been based on the Beverley and Hunter squadrons they were expected to replace.  TSR 2 at this stage is still a Camberra replacement and no mention is made of any role in replacing V bombers, though I have read elsewhere that TSR 2 was in mind to replace the Marham Valiant squadrons as SACEUR's theatre strike force.

More anon

UK 75

[uk 75]

The doc my friend saw was dated 24 March 1964 ref D.O. (0) (64) 17. It was an MOD note to the Cabinet Defence and Overseas Policy Committee.  The bit on TSR2 and HS 681 was stated as coming from RAF Plan 'P' Squadron patterns w.f. 4/63

I have now received the text and my earlier entry was slightly inaccurate.
Dispositions at the end of 1971 were going to be:

Bomber Command: 2 Strike and 1 Recce Sqns

RAF Germany:   2 Strike and 2 Recce Sqns

NEAF (Cyprus): 2 Strike and 1 Recce Sqns

FEAF: 1 dual role Strike/Recce Sqn

This would have been 11 Sqns (which is interesting in the light of the number of sqns eventually deploying Tornado)

As far as I can glean, there was no intention in 1964 of replacing V Force squadrons as such with TSR2.  The paper introduces TSR2 as a new category of aircraft.  V force bombers are listed as Medium Range Bombers. Canberras are listed as Light Bombers or Light Reconnaissance.  TSR2s are listed as Light Strike/Recce.

One thing that strikes as interesting is that the RAF planned in the paper is much smaller than the RAF which actually existed in 1971.  The intention was that the more capable TSR2-HS 1154-HS81 trio would allow a significant reduction compared with the Canberra-Hunter-Beverley/Hastings force, though costs would have been another matter.

As Tornado is much closer to the planned TSR2/Buccaneer successor types (except for the East of Suez range), one could argue that getting Tornados in the late 70s was pretty close to the original Air Staff plans.  They had accepted losing the Deterrent to the Navy, but were not prepared to give up the light strike role as well. For this reason the Navy's carrier plans were pretty much doomed.  It is interesting to note that if the RAF and RN joint force does eventually receive JSF supersonic VSTOL strike fighters this will have realised the RAF's 1959 ideas half a century later.

Fun stuff!

[Geoff_B]

As Tornado is much closer to the planned TSR2/Buccaneer successor types (except for the East of Suez range), one could argue that getting Tornados in the late 70s was pretty close to the original Air Staff plans

Ralph

Might be worth checking the AFVG files as this was the original basis for the Tornado and i think was intended to complement TSR-2 in the light strike role/fighter. I get the feeling the VG Strike Fighter was being studied from the start of the 60's but in the background whilst efforts focused on the TSR2 and 1154. Just that no offical requirement was put forward until later on. I know the AFVG & then the UKVG were intended to have a longer range and capacity than the current Tornado as the MRCA was nutured to meet the German demand for small cheap strike fighter rather than long range light bomber.

Hopefully Joe will be able to fill out a few of the squadron allocations, i think the V-Bomber link comes from the RAF still wanting the Tactical strike ability and not to lose some of the traditional Bomber squadrons with the phasing out of the Valiant and then the Victor.

G

[Captain Canada]

421, 422, and 444 Squadrons at Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

[NARSES2]

It is interesting to note that if the RAF and RN joint force does eventually receive JSF supersonic VSTOL strike fighters this will have realised the RAF's 1959 ideas half a century later.

Fun stuff!

Interesting stuff Ralph

The RAF/RN joint force also in a way goes back to the 20/30's when the FAA was controlled by the RAF

Politics  

Chris

[JP WADE]

I think any of the RAF Buccaneer squadrons would be applicable to "what-if" TSR.2 squadrons:  12, 15, 16, 208, 216, 237 OCU

[Scooterman]

Mine will be IV(AC).  I have to do one with the full colour tail........