In March 2000, former TSR.2 chief test pilot Roland ‘Bee’ Beamont aired his eye-opening views on the project – and pulled no punches! FlyPast shares some of his opinions and recollections
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) TSR.2 is still a hot topic – even today, nearly 60 years on from the April 6, 1965, announcement that one MP said would “have grave effects on the future of the British aircraft industry”.
There is no doubt that TSR.2 was a huge challenge that incorporated countless features, both in the design and systems that were at the cutting edge of contemporary technology. In fact, by the time it took to the skies on September 27, 1964, TSR.2 was the most technically advanced aircraft in the world….
However, by that point the damage had been done – the project had been dogged by technical problems, overambitious requirements, ever-increasing cost overruns, political infighting, inter-service squabbling, the belief that it was “just a weapons system” and, perhaps above all, bureaucratic ineptitude over the UK’s defence needs.
While the story of the TSR.2, including the political requirement for airborne nuclear strike, poor project management and the circumstances and …
