KerbalX

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 407
• Pure Stock

Description

The TSR-2 - The Plane shot down by its own government

The British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2 was a cancelled Cold War strike and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The TSR-2 was designed to penetrate a well-defended forward battle area at low altitudes and very high speeds, and then attack high-value targets in the rear with nuclear or conventional weapons. Another intended combat role was to provide high-altitude, high-speed stand-off, side-looking radar and photographic imagery and signals intelligence, aerial reconnaissance. Some of the most advanced aviation technology of the period was incorporated in order to make it the highest-performing aircraft in the world in its projected missions. Only one airframe flew and test flights and weight-rise during design indicated that the aircraft would be unable to meet its original stringent design specifications. The design specifications were reduced as the result of flight testing.

The TSR-2 was the victim of ever-rising costs and inter-service squabbling over Britain’s future defence needs, which led to the controversial decision to scrap the programme in 1965. With the election of a new government, the TSR-2 was cancelled due to rising costs, in favour of purchasing an adapted version of the General Dynamics F-111, a decision that itself was later rescinded as costs and development times increased. The replacements included the Blackburn Buccaneer and McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, both of which had previously been considered and rejected early in the TSR-2 procurement process. Eventually, the smaller swing-wing Panavia Tornado was developed and adopted by a European consortium to fulfil broadly similar requirements to the TSR-2.

The TSR-2 would probably still fly today had it been built back in 1965. It would serve as a tactical nuke carrier and as a platform for long range guided missiles.

My 1:1 replica of the TSR-2 features custom made canards and a working bomb bay [AG1] as well as Flaps [AG2]. The plane handles very well for it´s size and wing load, but it is a bit underpowered.

A stock aircraft called BAC TSR-2. Built with 407 of the finest parts, its root part is mk1pod.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.4.5.