‘Treetop’ Bomber
(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter— Copyright)
BOSCOMBE DOWNS, Sept 28 Britain’s latest supersonic tactical strike-reconnaissance aircraft yesterday made a successful maiden flight at the Ministry of Aviation’s secret airfield at. Boscombe Downs. After morning taxi-ing tests, the prototype TSR2 made a perfect take-off and stayed in the air for 14 minutes.
The test-pilot, Mr R. D. Beamont, made two wide circuits before bringing down the sleek aircraft for an easy landing. He was accompanied by Mr D. Bowen, chief test navigator on the project. With flames streaking from
the tail-pipes of its two huge engines, the TSR2 was “shadowed” by two aircraft from which visual and photographic observations were made. After the flight, the Aviation Minister, Mr Julian Amery, praised the “skill and determination of the British aircraft industry” which had developed the plane in less than four years. Mr Beamont said: “Everything went very well. I feel very encouraged about this aeroplane. It is a good aeroplane.” The bomber is designed to fly at supersonic speeds at treetop level to avoid detection by enemy radar.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19640929.2.151
Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 17
Word Count
174‘Treetop’ Bomber Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30558, 29 September 1964, Page 17
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.