The conspirators (e.g: he was Red Wilson) never had support from credible Tory politicians (only {to be} 1972/4 Trade Minister (Aerospace) Sir C.Onslow, who asserted that Labour's Defence Policy was led by CND unilateralists: you know the Policy: the one about Polaris and WE.177 and Honest John SSM and nuclear artillery and MADMs in BAOR. That one), nor from brass after retirement: the reverse: (1982-85) CDS FM E.Bramall and Gen.W.Jackson,The Chiefs,Brassey’s,1992,P361:TSR.2: “an albatross round our necks (Healey) took the decision which would have had to be taken by (SecStateDef. Thorneycroft. MoD was) writing (it) would have (to go) it was just that (Labour) took the opprobrium”. New (1/9/63) CAS C.Elworthy (to be CDS, 4/8/67-8/4/71): impatient of BAC’s disdain of cost, he had urged Thorneycroft to buy fixed-$ TFX (to be F-111A). M.Quinlan,RAF Hist.Soc.Journal 24,2001,P.10.
Did he know thatThorneycroft had advised PM, 24/4/63 of study of a cheaper alternative? G.C.Peden, Arms,Economics & Br. Strategy, CUP, 2007,P.333. T.Buttler, Br. Secret Projects, Jet Bombers Since 1949, MCP,2003, Pp.124-9 lists projects to TSR.2 replacement O.R.355, 10/61, for Service after 1970. One was Vickers Type 589, variable geometry, length 64ft. AUW 49K lb. TSR.2 was 89ft (Vulcan was 100ft) and 96-105K lb. Because...the march of avionics technology.
GOR.339 was issued to tender 9/9/57, based on transistors, and Red Beard tactical Bomb, big and heavy. On 4/8/58 the derided Sandys secured access to US Bomb data which led in 1962 to funding (to be: WE.177A), snug (even Wasp chopper could lift it -just, one crewman, no door). On 12/9/58 Texas Instruments Dallas lab. demonstrated the silicon chip. When, ultimately, the electric flick-knife did the job, it was 55ft long and max.t.o weight 60K lb.
GD F-111A was invented in 1962 around light Bombs and avionics, 73ft (though also 100K lb). SecDef.McNamara announced plans for >3,000, USAF+USN. RAF cost/ease of ownership would have been better on F-111K than TSR.2 once the quantity to be deployed fell below 100, in 1963. And of course Oz would flourish inter-operating with USN and USAF/PACAF: how ludicrous to contemplate a logistics train for their 24 TSR.2s plus maybe some dozens on the other side of the world. They received brochure puff from the Brits solely to chisel down DoD's price.
H.Wynn, RAF Nuclear Deterrent Forces (Official History),HMSO,1994, Ch.28 spells out Ministers' invitation to BAC to make a fixed price Offer for 50. Sir Geo.Edwards “told Vickers’ Board (he) offered to complete (at further) £430Mn. and to sacrifice all profit if (it) exceeded that” H.Evans,Vickers Against the Odds,Hodder, 1978,P121. R.Gardner,From Bouncing Bombs to Concorde,Sutton,2006 has an offer - loss upto £9Mn., plus absent profit, presented as BAC “exposure” to £55Mn: an uncapped pit “not meeting (PM’s) case at all”.
There really was no conspiracy. TSR.2 was no threat to US industry. Really,my dear,they didn't give a d--n
Last edited by tornadoken; 12th Sep 2013 at 18:16.