A selection of extraordinary aircraft, from the days when we had an aviation industry. All pictures taken at airshows, when they were still actively engaged in research flying. Photos by the late Gerald Lawrance, digitised and made available by Tony Clarke.
XP831, the first prototype P.1127 (FF 1960). At the Coltishall display September 1966, when on the strength of Aero Flight, RAE Bedford. It is now preserved at the Science Museum in London:
XG900 Short SC.1, possibly taken Farnborough 1958. Another VTO test aircraft, it had five engines (and still weighed less than the weapon load of a Harrier). Also preserved at the Science Museum. Note the complex castoring wheels:
XE521 Fairey Rotodyne. Taken at one of its Farnborough appearances 1958-1961:
WG777 Fairey FD-2 Delta. At Coltishall September 1964, nearing the end of its remarkable career (Wfu 1966). Now preserved Cosford:
WZ736 Avro 707A, date and location unknown. Preserved in Manchester:
VX790 Avro 707B, date and location unknown:
WZ744 Avro 707C, at Coltishall 19-9-64. Now preserved Cosford:
RA490 Gloster Meteor F.4, date and location unknown. This astonishing machine had Nene engines with a deflection system to reduce landing speeds:
VW411 Gloster Meteor T.7, from RAE Bedford. A hybrid T.7 with nose and tail from a FR.9. Date and location unknown, could be Coltishall again.
VP975 Devon C.1, not a test airframe, but on the strength of RAE. At Coltishall 19-9-64:
THOSE WERE THE DAYS
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May 25, 2011 at 4:43 pm