Further Hope For TSR2 Bomber

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30666, 4 February 1965, Page 13

Further Hope For TSR2 Bomber

(N.Z.P.A.- Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, February 3. Mr Wilson last night announced a conditional reprieve for Britain’s controversial TSR2 tree-top bomber. But. he said two British planes in the development stage would be scrapped and replaced by American aircraft..

This would save Britain at least £3oom over the next 10 years.

He told Parliament that work on the 1400 - mile - an - hour TSR2 will go on at least for several months pending a full-scale review of its ultimate cost.

Mr Wilson ruled out the possibility that the Government might go ahead with about 50 TSR2 planes and combine them with the same number of Fills—the American counterpart of the TSR2. He announced that the Government plans to save money by scrapping the P 1154 supersonic jump-jet tactical fighter, and the HS6BI short take-off transport plane. A limited development programme would go ahead for the P 1127 vertical take-off research plane. JOINT RESEARCH The P 1154, planned as a substitute for the Hunter jet fighter, would be partially replaced by the United States Phantom. The HS6BI would be replaced by the American Cl3O (Hercules) troop-carrying freighter. Mr Wilson also announced that Britain was to start discussions with France and other European countries on producing a jet strike-trainer using the variable wing concept—a British invention already applied in the American Fill. In addition, Britain was examining a number of possibilities for joint research and development with both the United States and west European countries. He said: “Joint production must be the pattern of the future.” BATTLESHIP FIGURE Mr Wilson said the Government faced “an agonising decision” over the TSR2. On present estimates, 150 of these planes would cost £7som. Each plane would cost

about as much as a pre-war battleship—£sm.

This was 25 times the cost of the Canberra bomber it was designed to replace. About £24om had already been spent on the project. He said he had called for an authoritative estimate from the firms concerned of the final cost. Meanwhile, the TSR2 project would go on. Mr Wilson said that by replacing the TSR2 with the nearest equivalent, which would mean going to the United States, Britain would certainly save at least £2som. On the other hand it would involve additional dollar expenditure which no Government would lightly undertake. As for the American Fill, he still did not know what the production programme was going to be for either. He must know that before a decision was taken. Britain would extend the order for American Phantom fighter aircraft for the Air Force. These would replace Hunter fighters.