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Product Description
A detailed yet eminently readable photographic history of the development of the TSR-2, with photographs drawn from the BAE Systems Heritage archive at Warton. It will concentrate on the aircraft development rather than the political background to the story. The author has researched original sources from the BAe archives at Warton Heritage Group, and uses a compelling array of unpublished photographs and material to illustrate the story. This new book will have a wide appeal and will revive the debate about this beautiful but ill-fated aircraft. Although various proposals, under the designation OR (Operational Requirement) 343, were considered for a replacement of the existing Canberra bomber, in 1959 the go-ahead was given to the British Aircraft Corporation submission, named the TSR.2. This stood for Tactical Strike and Reconnaissance 2. As is often the case, the original estimates for the TSR.2 were overtaken by rocketing costs. Two prototype aircraft were completed and the first test flight was made on 27 September 1964 with Roland Beamont at the controls. In the course of testing, the TSR.2 was found to meet easily the demanding performance specification. Aerodynamically the aircraft was trouble-free, though there were continual problems with the engines and the undercarriage. By now, some in the RAF were coming to favour the American General Dynamics F-111 over the TSR.2. The new Labour government, which came to power in 1964, at first denied that it was going to drop the British aircraft but in the budget speech of 6 April 1965, the Chancellor announced the cancellation of the TSR.2 in favour of the F-111 on the grounds that the American aircraft would prove cheaper. Subsequently, this decision was used to berate the Labour government by those of an opposite political persuasion who always found it difficult to accept that Britain was no longer the force in world affairs it once had been. The fate of the TSR.2 was seen by some as a metaphor for the decline of Britain itself. This view was reinforced by the famous aircraft designer Sir Sidney Camm, who said, 'all modern aircraft have four dimensions: span, length, height and politics. TSR.2 simply got the first three right.' Although only flown as a prototype, the TSR.2 has become a perennially popular and controversial subject. This book will provide an in-depth and balanced view of the project.
About the Author
Tim McLelland is an established aviation writer and photographer with an interest in all aspects of aerospace, specialising primarily in post-war military subjects. He has authored a wide range of books on a variety of subjects. He has also produced numerous features for many aerospace both in the UK and overseas. He has been fortunate to fly as a passenger in a wide range of combat aircraft including the Jaguar, Lightning, Harrier and Tornado, among a list of many other key military fighters and bombers, so he has first-hand knowledge of military flying. He lives in Sheffield.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have been fascinated by this aircraft ever since I went to Warton for a job interview and was told that if I had come one week earlier I would have seen TSR2.
This book gives a good account of the aircraft's development and the environment which gave rise to it and, in the end, caused its demise.
For me there are two things discussed in the book which I find puzzling.
The first is that mention is made that there was a mentality (a hangover from the 1940s) that thought that any military aircraft would have a very short operational life (4 years). The corollary to this being that development must be quick and the specification very pragmatic. Yet the specification of TSR2 was completely at odds with this thinking.
The other thing is that I am amazed that such a fine aircraft (or indeed any aircraft) emerged given the management structure put in place by the government. For an object lesson in how really advanced aircraft can be designed and built quickly and to budget see Skunk Works: a Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed by Ben R Rich
One important thing I did learn from this book is the contribution TSR2 made to the development of Concorde and the Panavia Tornado.
This book gives a good account of the aircraft's development and the environment which gave rise to it and, in the end, caused its demise.
For me there are two things discussed in the book which I find puzzling.
The first is that mention is made that there was a mentality (a hangover from the 1940s) that thought that any military aircraft would have a very short operational life (4 years). The corollary to this being that development must be quick and the specification very pragmatic. Yet the specification of TSR2 was completely at odds with this thinking.
The other thing is that I am amazed that such a fine aircraft (or indeed any aircraft) emerged given the management structure put in place by the government. For an object lesson in how really advanced aircraft can be designed and built quickly and to budget see Skunk Works: a Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed by Ben R Rich
One important thing I did learn from this book is the contribution TSR2 made to the development of Concorde and the Panavia Tornado.
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Tim McLelland's book on TSR2 might evoke the "what? not another !" reaction, but in this very comprehensive review of what to some is a painful part of British aviation history he avoids the polemics of earler authors' work and recounts the story quite calmly and factually. His dispassionate approach is all the more effective in making one wonder how on earth the Ministries involved and the industry itself could get themselves in such a tangle. He makes the failure seem inevitable - and this is perhaps a weakness, for it was not, but in the end the reader "understands" that incompetence in overall management of military projects, however technically excellent in themselves, produces expensive and damaging weaknesses. Mr. McLelland also highlights the infighting between the RAF and the Navy which has also been evident in recent months - though he, surprisingly perhaps, plays down the contribution of Lord Mountbatten to poisoning the atmosphere at the time.
The technical descriptions are thorough and excellent too, making this book a welcome and valuable addition to one's book-case.
The technical descriptions are thorough and excellent too, making this book a welcome and valuable addition to one's book-case.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A fairly readable history of the development of the TSR-2, with photographs drawn from the BAE Systems Heritage archive at Warton. Difficult though to describe it, as Amazon do in their blurb, as a photographic history. While there are some lovely colour shots sprinkled throughout the work, McLellands earnest tome has been produced by Classic Publications for Ian Allan and as such is designed down to a budget and format - the text packed into its 120 pages so densely that it is uncomfortable to read and Caruana's profile artworks spread over two pages with most of the drawings lost to the tight page binding. No museum or walkaround photos for modellers and only a page or two of equipment drawings. However the Amazon discount certainly invites a purchase if you only need one volume on the type on your shelves as Mr Balch says. McLelland looks more at the developmental side of the story rather the political shenanigans which he appears to dismiss as the work of alarmists and dreamers - "..both Jenkins and Healey offered BAC the opportunity to continue flying, therefore the notion that they had any interest in destroying TSR2 is patently wrong.." So there were no conspiracy theories - just an advanced new aircraft type that may or may not have performed. Given the array of cutting edge early 1960s technology then being designed for it, you suspect the author rather feels it wouldn't have.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Another great TSR2 book
Excellent book on a very interesting subject. Makes a great bookshelf companion to Damien Burke's book TSR2 Britain's Lost Bomber. Read more
Published 1 month ago by VR6 Storm
TSR 2 PURCHASE REVIEW
Excellent book of significant historical significance because it demonstrates incompetent government at its very worst. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. T. Conway Mrs Conway
A spec too far?
I remember being stunned by the TSR.2's cancellation. What were they thinking about?
But this book reveals the tortured trail that led from its inception to its ultimate fate. Read more
But this book reveals the tortured trail that led from its inception to its ultimate fate. Read more
Published 4 months ago by George Stergios
Ron McGuffie
A very interesting book on one of the best fighter Bombers in the World , cancelled by the British Government after approaches from America to use a... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Ron McGuffie
Excellent
TSR2 is a great subject and it has been poorly covered in books and magazines for a long time. This book is a really good account of the aircraft's history. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Finster
TSR2 remebered
As one who worked on many aspects of this wonderful craft and its associated equipment and devices, it brings back all those memories of that unique achievement that was the TSR2. Read more
Published 11 months ago by why
TSR.2: Britain's Lost Cold War Strike Aircraft
This is a very informative book approaching the subject in an unbised fashion revealing new facts and information Ideal for history buffs and modellers alike.
Published 16 months ago by D. C. Paintin
Gret book if you are interested in TSR2
This is a really good book. It is very unbiased, and very clearly and concisely covers pretty much all areas of the rise and demise of TSR2. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Joystick
Superb book
When I received this book at Christmas, I was a little concerned as it appeared to be in the format of an old style "annual"! Read more
Published 17 months ago by Misha The Penguin
Excellent value for money
Two books on the TSR-2 hit the bookshelves almost at the same time, so it was interesting to compare the two. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Adrian Balch
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