Sorry if you get the impression I thought we were robbed.
There were many factors why such projects failed. As I said, money, a not always realistic policy/specification, political in-fighting and incompetence. That America strong-armed us I doubt very much.
If I remember correctly, the TSR2 specification was originally written by RAF officers. The specs were very demanding and not realistic. A lower spec would have been more affordable and possible.
The fact that Lord Mountbatten was bad-mouthing it a number of times didn’t help. The forced merger of the aviation industries at the same time shows bad timing. You can run through a whole list of projects that died at the time. Money was a major influence of course, the UK was as good as bankrupt.
The F-111 being more affordable than the TSR2? We bought Buccs and Tooms in the end, after that Jags and Tonkas.

An improvement on the scruffy looking ‘erberts I used to work on..:D

Why do you think such people have a lot of money? They’re allergic to spending it.

I can understand and appreciate why Moggie changed it. I was stationed at Marham from ’82-’87. I also serviced the Crew Drill Trainer (XA917 front fuselage) now and then and I had no idea what was meant with CDT………….

Operational stations I was posted to in the past. Binbrook, Machrihanish, Honington, Laarbruch and Marham. How many are still operational?

I’m sorry Piston I don’t quite understand your post.
I was aware of the construction of the Lightning anyway. I got the impression first that the SA CAA hadn’t determined exactly where the fuel leak originated.
The fuel systems in the Lightning are quite fragmented and delicate. The FRS couplings needed to be treated with respect and carefully inspected. The turbo fuel pumps for the reheat system and the fuel lines that were led to rear of the jet pipes. Fuel integrity was also a constant headache. I fixed many a fuel leak on many an airframe at Binbrook.

Hi Al. I meant the pitot tubes. They could leak on a Lightning, I kid you not!

At least they didn’t leak fuel, unlike the Lightnings.