Ashley, I know the entire blame shouldn’t be levelled at Wilson and his cronies, but it was the devious way it was done that means I blame him first and most!

There’s quite a good insight in Charles Gardner’s “British Aircraft Corporation” and if anybody wants to get REALLY angry, they should read Project Cancelled by Derek Wood.

My understanding, trying to condense it as much as possible is: basically English Electric design, but design authority given to Vickers, dozens of committees overseeing everything and getting nothing done, RAF specs written around numbers just dreamed up with no thought to feasibility or cost effectiveness, internal politics within BAC, Mountbatten putting the knife in everywhere, especially abroad, an engine BAC didn’t want forced on them, Vickers insistence on first flight not being at Wharton and so on and on and on…

Any one of those would have caused problems in varying degrees but with the combination of them all, there was no chance.
The thing that really annoys me is, despite all the above, they basically did it. It was a superb aircraft, so far ahead of it’s time it’s almost unbelievable. I don’t know of anything as capable even now, although I’m not an expert on paraffin heaters.

Ken

Mixed feelings really. I love Mossies and have done ever since I can remember but every time I go to Hendon I’m completely awestruck by the Tiffie. To me it’s like a Victor, beautifully ugly!
I must admit, I would love to see one in the air but I’m not sure it’s worth a Mossie.

However, you must be joking with your comparisons.

Typhoon. Designed as high altitude interceptor – failure. Thanks largely to Roland Beamont, new lease of life as probably the best ground attack aircraft of the war. Total built around 3,300, a fair few of which never entered service and were scrapped as they came off the production line. Development, none apart from canopy.

Mosquito. The most versatile aircraft of WW2, and some would say ever. The fastest aircraft, on either side, for 2.1/2 years during a war which saw the most rapid development of the 20th century. In RAF sevice until middle 50s and then with CAACU until early 60s. Total built 7,781 according to most books. Development, several books worth. Just a couple of example, which I’m sure you all know anyway. The fighter-bomber carried twice the original design bomb-load of the bomber, plus the guns.
Later ones, 2 stage Merlins, pressurised, 4000lb bomb (4 times design load) in what was a fairly small aircraft.

Definitely, no contest.

Willow, you forgot torpedo-bomber and airliner.(gr)

Slight amendment to my earlier post before I continue:
Insert “massively over-paid” between many and managers.

A few years ago I accompanied the female half of this partnership to our local Casualty Dept. Chesterfield Royal Hospital, apart from waiting, which is the same everywhere, no complaints aimed specifically at them.
While waiting, and pacing around, a couple of people came to empty the vending machines in casualty of cash.
They were pushing a trolley, which to my fairly well-trained eye, was made of stainless steel and solid timber. This must have cost several hundred pounds.
The person that ordered it should be made to pay for it themselves, sacked and barred from working in any public service for life as he/she is obviously not to be trusted with public money.

According to my other half, I’m getting grumpier as I get older.
Perhaps it’s just me.

I don’t approve of hanging aircraft from the roof either. I’m prepared to forgive the Science Museum, as they have no room at all, but not anybody else.

Interesting remark from Willow about the size of TSR2. Took a couple of drinking acquaintances from my local to Cosford a few months ago, both ex-RAF, one early 50s and the other mid 60s. I’ve been to Cosford before, although not for 10 or 12 years and when I lived in Hertfordshire, pre-admission fees, was always calling at Duxford (only been twice since) so TSR2 is reasonably familiar to me.
I’d completely forgotten, it’s ______ enormous! I don’t think it can ever have sunk in before. Not got the exact figures in front of me but just under 40 ft span and around 90 ft long is a lot of aeroplane.
Duxford’s should be in pride of place, on the floor, with a huge placard denouncing politicians in general and Wilson’s government in particular. I’ve been snarling virtually continuously since ’66! And we STILL haven’t got a supersonic Harrier development nearly 40 years on.

Planning to take the crony’s to Elvington, Duxford and Hendon this year.

On the few occasions I’ve had to use the UK health system, it’s been superb.
But, for anything other than emergencies, the waiting lists are terrible.
There are far too many managers and not enough doctors and nurses.

I read that the UK health service is the largest employer in Europe, yet the French and Germans, with larger populations have more doctors and nurses per person.
Surely, even a politician should be able to spot the clue there, or am I being silly?

Just in case you hadn’t guessed, I think all politicians, with very few exceptions, are over-paid, pompous, self-seeking windbags.
That’s the polite version!

Sold my copy of “Spitfire – the History” a couple of months ago to buy the new one and not got it yet so going on memory.
I’m sure it’s got what’s supposed to be every serial no and mark but I don’t think there are any construction numbers.
Very impressive, potted history tells you which squadrons each a/c were allocated to and when SOC etc.

Not sure I’ve ever seen one.
Your (sim?) repesentation looks a bit thin and sleek.
Cheating, went to the Science Museum only a month ago!
Worth asking them if they’ve got one?

How disconcerting.