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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 2638.PDF
XR2I9 taxies out for the flight. The white-overalled figure is a groundcrewman wearing a protective helmet with ear-defender headset BOSCOMBE DOWN, SEPTEMBER 27, 1964 The TSR.2'8 First Flight (Pilot Roland Beamont; Navigator Donald Bowen) TSR.2, the supersonic strike and reconnaissance aircraft forthe Royal Air Force, flew for the first time at BoscombeDown, Wiltshire, on the afternoon of September 27. This achievement was fully reported in last week's issue; we now present further details and an excellent selection of photographs taken on that occasion. Described by the Minister of Aviation as "probably the most complex airborne weapon system ever to be developed," TSR.2 is the subject of the largest aircraft development programme in Britain; in fact, it may be the largest in the world, because this aircraft has necessitated a major advance in technology throughout the whole of British industry. Because of this aircraft, British manufacturers have the ability and the resources to tackle the problems posed by the Concorde and other highly supersonic aircraft. This is often forgotten when the cost of the TSR.2 programme is being discussed. Major partners at the industrial level are British Aircraft Corpor- ation and Bristol Siddeley Engines, and it is worth noting that both organizations came into being as a direct result of the TSR.2 programme. BAC Weybridge Division has been responsible for the design and development of the 89ft fuselage and the electronics and armament installations; BAC Preston Division has been responsible for the 37ft wing, engine installation, rear fuselage, tail, fuel system, flying controls and autostabilizers. Bristol Siddeley contribute the Olympus 320 turbojet, which combines high thrust/ weight ratio with low specific fuel consumption; thrust with maxi- mum reheat is well over 30,0001b per engine. Bristol Siddeley also supply a third engine: the Cumulus 50 h.p. auxiliary power unit, which provides air for engine starting and cockpit and systems conditioning as well as shaft power for ground hydraulics and electronics. Other major contributions include:— EMI Electronics Sideways-looking radar, side/down-looking reconnaissance radar with moving-target indication and Linescan. Decca Radar Doppler radar navigation system. Ferranti Inertial stable platform, forward-looking radar to provide terrain-following information and moving-map displays for pilot and navigator. Elliott Flight Automation Digital and analogue computers and autopilot. Concluded on page M0, after double page of TSR.2 pictures Bristol Siddeley's Olympus 320 may be the most powerful aircraft engine in full production in the world. It has been tested in the air and at Patchway and Pystock
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