England
RAF Museum Cosford
Hangar Two: Test Flight
* Page under construction*
Intro
TSR-2 XO-2 XR220, the second prototype of the controversial British Aircraft Corporation project, is one of the museum`s star attractions. Only one other complete aircraft, the fourth prototype, currently on display at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, survives. TSR-2 was a strike and aerial reconnaissance aircraft developed for the RAF in the late 1950s and early 1960s at the height of the Cold War. The plane was designed to penetrate a well-defended forward battle area at low altitudes and very high speeds, then attack high-value targets in the rear with nuclear or conventional weapons. It could also serve as a high-altitude, high speed intelligence gathering platform and some of the most advanced aviation technology of the period was incorporated in its design. Doubts regarding the aircraft`s performance capabilities, ever-rising costs and inter-service squabbling over Britain's future defence needs, led to the controversial decision to scrap the programme in 1965 by which time only two airworthy and three near-complete prototypes had been built.
Saunders Roe SR.53 XD145.
Hawker Siddeley Kestrel XS695. This type, the forerunner of the Harrier jump jet, was effectively an improved version of the VSTOL P.1127.
Gloster Meteor F.8 (Prone) WK935 was the last of the 430 Meteor F.8s manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth. Following modifications to allow the pilot to fly the aircraft lying face-down in the prone position it took to the air for the first time in early 1954. The object of the exercise was to test the reduced effects of high G forces on the pilot when flying an aircraft in this manner.
Hawker Siddeley Kestrel XS695. This type, the forerunner of the Harrier jump jet, was effectively an improved version of the VSTOL P.1127.
Gloster Meteor F.8 (Prone) WK935 was the last of the 430 Meteor F.8s manufactured by Armstrong Whitworth. Following modifications to allow the pilot to fly the aircraft lying face-down in the prone position it took to the air for the first time in early 1954. The object of the exercise was to test the reduced effects of high G forces on the pilot when flying an aircraft in this manner.
The experimental English Electric P.1A lead to the design of the hugely successful Lightning interceptor, This aircraft bears the serial number WG760. Testing of the revolutionary swept-wing design continued with the Short SB.5 WG768.
Hunting H.126 XN714 was an experimental aircraft designed to test the concept of 'jet flaps' or 'blown flaps' where 60% of the jet engine's exhaust was channelled to the trailing edge of the wing to provide higher lift.
Hunting H.126 XN714 was an experimental aircraft designed to test the concept of 'jet flaps' or 'blown flaps' where 60% of the jet engine's exhaust was channelled to the trailing edge of the wing to provide higher lift.
Bristol 188 XF926. Mostly built of stainless steel, this research aircraft was designed to test the effect of heat build-up when flown at very high speeds. It first flew in April 1962 and eventually achieved a speed of Mach 1.88.