Paulbarry – thanks for the input. I have looked at the two sites you highlight and the Douglas Skyray at China Lake (Goletta) IS the record holder.
However the F-106 at McChord is not – reading the text the aircraft preserved there, although it was prepared for the attack on the speed record, had problems and another machine was substituted.

Richard – can’t confirm that the Douglas D-558-1 Skystreak at Pensecola is the record breaker. According to Michael Blaugher there are five D-558s preserved in the US!

Anyway I have now typed up a list of World air speed record holders. All the info on it so far (except for that in bold type) has been drawn from “Jane’s Pocket Book 15 – Record-Breaking Aircraft” edited by John W.R.Taylor. There may be typing errors :confused:

Now all I’ve got to do is find out how to reproduce my Word document here so it can be seen 😡

Roger Smith.

My pleasure. Its all a bit of fun! 🙂

Anyway, I think that I have found another one……….

Lockheed P-80R

http://svsm.org/gallery/p80rusaf

Regards

Paul

Here is my attempt at a list of some of the more recent ones prior to the X-43 –

July 76 SR 71a 2189mph
May 65 YF12A 2070mph
July 63 E-166 1665mph
Nov 61 F4H-1F 1606mph
Dec 59 F106 1525mph
Oct 59 E-66 1483mph
May 58 F-104 1404mph
Dec 57 F101A 1207mph
Mar 56 FD2 1132mph
Aug 55 F100C 822mph
Oct 53 F100A 755mph
Oct 53 Skyray 752mph
Sep 53 Swift 735mph
Sep 53 Hunter 727mph
July 53 F86D 715mph

According to Wiki (because it’s quicker than looking for a book) only the F100 on that list ever held the Air Speed record. Wiki doesn’t state the serial of the YF-12A or SR-71 to find out quickly if they survive.

F106 Preserved at McChord Air Museum – speed of 1525 mph
http://www.mcchordairmuseum.org/REV%20B%20MAM%20RESTORATION%20FIX%20A%20SIX.htm

Another one –
Douglas Skyray preserved at Goleta Air and Space Museum – speed of 752 mph, taking the record away from the Swift.
http://www.air-and-space.com/20020624%20China%20Lake%20vintage%20aircraft.htm

I haven’t looked up the others yet!

This one is from Profile Publications of the 60s. Describes it as 527 (calibration) Squadron at Hornchurch 1943. Used for gun calibration, Thames Forts and type 1 radar at Stoke Holy Cross.

Best Wishes.
Robert.

Hi Robert

I also spotted the Profile Publications drawing after I had posted above. I am not sure about the Hornchurch reference?

rafweb.org says –

Formed at Castle Camps on 15 June 1943, this squadron was tasked with radar calibration duties. Initially equipped with Blenheims and Hurricanes, Hornet Moths arrived in December 1943, Spitfires in July 1944, Oxfords – September 1944, Wellingtons in April 1945 and finally Dominies in May 1945.

In September 1944 the squadron absorbed No 528 Squadon and the same month retired the Hornet Moths, the Hurricanes being retired in April 1945 and the Blenheims in May, whilst the remainder were flown until the squadron disbanded at Watton on 15 April 1946, where it had moved on 8 November 1945.

Other sources say mainly the same. Certainly that the unit was formed at Castle Camps. Some say that the unit moved to Snailwell 2/44 to 4/44 and Digby 4/44 to 11/45.

Interestingly, FK Mason also said that the unit was at Hornchurch, but in a later book by him, he refers to the Squadron flying as detachments at Castle Camps, Snailwell, Digby, Sutton Bridge and Coltishall.

Actually most interesting would be to see a photograph of the actual aircraft!

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul

Thanks for the info.

I just wondered if any droptanks had actually been designed to use with the TSR.2, or whether it was a case of BAC saying ‘yes, it will have underwing tanks, but we’ll design them after the prototype testing…’

Cheers

Simon

I have never seen any plans or pictures etc of the drop tanks. However the inboard pylons were plumbed to take 450 gallon drop tanks. So I suspect that they were designed, if not built.

Regards

Paul

Whilst I am not 100% sure, I think this relates to a study in the early sixties that Aero Spacelines (of Guppy fame) did for NASA for the carriage of Saturn V components. This study included a twin Saro Princess proposal.