n/gear
Marvellous after all these years to hear from the horse's mouth. Unlike Chinese Whispers, the story actually did not get too twisted in the telling, but it is wonderful to hear what actually happened. Thanks, Steve for that.
Fast? Yes it was. Normal cruise was M.88 (on the T1). (I recall a charter from SNN to VIE in which we managed an average of 660 kts G/S - but not quite the same on the way back!) M.92 was the max during base training and recovery from that proved just as frightening an experience as deploying airbrake on the T7 Hunter at M1.1, or landing an Auster on a carrier. The T2 was .8 for no other reason than IIRC wear and tear. Then came the 1974 fuel crisis which, apart from producing the national speed limit of 70 mph (it was nothing to do with road safety), made everyone thing seriously about fuel. Up till then, fuel was not much more than an incidental in one's costings and consequently the cruise speed for all Tridents was reduced to M.8 or maybe .78 (I cannot remember).
As to noise, the Gripper was far preferable to the B1-11 with A/T engaged. The 1-11 had to do it all with 2 engines whilst the Gripper had the modifying influence of the steady No 2. Positioning on the 1-11 was not a pleasant experience, especially down the back.
Prober (Mike)