An individual proposed the idea, in 1979, to restart the TSR-2 project. Reportedly with updated systems. The plan was to use XR220 and XR222 as prototypes.

It is my considered believe that the idea was never going to work because:-

• The lack of drawings would require a prototype to be reverse engineered. In order to create the drawings.
• Platform Design Authority (DA) approval would be required. As a licenced build.
• Original retained systems and newly installed systems would require their DA approval. In order to support the project and contribute to the Platform Safety Case.
• A production location would be required. At the time there was only three contenders – Brough, Warton and Woodford.
• A projected sales figure would be needed (in order to identify the profit margin).

There would be no sales (or builds) because:-

• A potential customer, the RAF for example, would be banned from buying the product by the government. International sales wouldn’t get UK government approval either.
• BAE “owned the rights” and would be banned, by the government, from allowing them to be passed on.
• System DA’s would find it very difficult to work on a project that had previously been terminated.
• All three production locations, mentioned above, were owned by BAE. They were busy anyway doing their respective day jobs.

So, it is not surprising his fanciful idea came to nothing.

One final point. A few years ago, I read an article in a Key Pubs magazine (Aeroplane?) about the TSR-2 project. They claimed the type was to be allocated the name “Merlin”. I had never heard that fact before. Or seen it mentioned since. Other sources have since mentioned the name “Eagle”. Also never heard before.

H