50 years ago today at Boscombe Down...
Discussion
Seight_Returns said:
Do we know what "name" the TSR2 would have been given when it entered service ? Or would it have been one of the few British aircraft to be known by alphanumeric codes (VC-10, BAC1-11 etc) ?
There was a previous "TSR II" in service: The Fairey Swordfish, although the initials meat Torpedo Spotter Reconnaissance rather than Tactical Strike ReconnaisanceWhere do you think the model designers and builders who worked for Gerry Anderson were getting their inspiration?
Many of the models they built for "Thunderbirds" and other series made use of "off the shelf" plastic kits although, ironically, at the time they were building these models, there was no such kit of a TSR2 available to them.
The aircraft that I see in many of the Gerry Anderson models are permutations of the Convair B-58 Hustler - which in some ways was an American equivalent (although slightly earlier in concept) of the TSR2.
Many of the models they built for "Thunderbirds" and other series made use of "off the shelf" plastic kits although, ironically, at the time they were building these models, there was no such kit of a TSR2 available to them.
The aircraft that I see in many of the Gerry Anderson models are permutations of the Convair B-58 Hustler - which in some ways was an American equivalent (although slightly earlier in concept) of the TSR2.
Another great looking and interesting aircraft cancelled with the loss of 1000's of jobs, and effectively killing Canada's aircraft industry is the Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow.
There are none of these preserved, only some parts, including a nose section at the musuem in Ottawa.
Wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Canada_CF-105_Ar...
There are none of these preserved, only some parts, including a nose section at the musuem in Ottawa.
Wiki here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avro_Canada_CF-105_Ar...
Short TSR2 film - TSR-2 Story.: http://youtu.be/L_JB3c3DsP0
Longer documentary - TSR2 The Untold Story Full Documentary: http://youtu.be/o53u0X0Ik0w
Longer documentary - TSR2 The Untold Story Full Documentary: http://youtu.be/o53u0X0Ik0w
Eric Mc said:
Many of the models they built for "Thunderbirds" and other series made use of "off the shelf" plastic kits
I'm not sure that's true of the Gerry Anderson series Eric, the models they used were quite big and pretty much scratch built. Very few of the original Thunderbirds stuff survives at all. Here's an Interceptor pic for you though! It is true - because I've spoken to chaps who have worked for Gerry Anderson and some of the modellers I know are "Anderson Geeks" who know an awful lot about what went on at APF and "Century 21" in Slough.
Of course, they certainly did build 100% original models for a lot of the craft and vehicles. But they did make use of standard kits for bits and pieces as it saved an awful lot of time (and money).
In the later series (such as "UFO" or "Space 1999") the budgets were bigger so they could spend more money on original models but in the early days (including "Thunderbirds") plastic kits were raided for their parts.
Of course, they certainly did build 100% original models for a lot of the craft and vehicles. But they did make use of standard kits for bits and pieces as it saved an awful lot of time (and money).
In the later series (such as "UFO" or "Space 1999") the budgets were bigger so they could spend more money on original models but in the early days (including "Thunderbirds") plastic kits were raided for their parts.
The US had their "TSR II" moment with the B-70 Valkyrie. The Valkyrie was outrageously complicated, but by all accounts flew very nicely and towards the end of the programme was achieving relatively respectable levels of reliability. It was also incredibly quick, with the "six pack" of J-93s.
Killed by vast expense, politics, and of course the proven capabilities of the SA-2 Guideline.
Killed by vast expense, politics, and of course the proven capabilities of the SA-2 Guideline.
Eric Mc said:
I wonder what its service entry date would actually have been - by the time they had sorted out all the problems. I would strongly recommend this book which came out recently which is a very fair assessment of the programme -
Do you have a link as to where I could buy that please? Dad's b'day soon Buy him a proper book then not a pamphlet... www.tsr2.info
Eric Mc said:
It is true - because I've spoken to chaps who have worked for Gerry Anderson and some of the modellers I know are "Anderson Geeks" who know an awful lot about what went on at APF and "Century 21" in Slough.
Of course, they certainly did build 100% original models for a lot of the craft and vehicles. But they did make use of standard kits for bits and pieces as it saved an awful lot of time (and money).
In the later series (such as "UFO" or "Space 1999") the budgets were bigger so they could spend more money on original models but in the early days (including "Thunderbirds") plastic kits were raided for their parts.
APF? Of course, they certainly did build 100% original models for a lot of the craft and vehicles. But they did make use of standard kits for bits and pieces as it saved an awful lot of time (and money).
In the later series (such as "UFO" or "Space 1999") the budgets were bigger so they could spend more money on original models but in the early days (including "Thunderbirds") plastic kits were raided for their parts.
Mave said:
DamienB said:
Sorry, total nonsense. TSR2 top speed ever reached - Mach 1.12. Lightning top speed - Mach 2+.
Not nonsense in the context of the flight testing covered. Higher top speed does not equal faster acceleration or faster climb.Gassing Station | Boats, Planes & Trains | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff