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British Aircraft Corporation

Logo_ID.jpg British Aircraft Corporation

Contents

History
Projects
Production

History

BAC's origins can be traced to a statement issued by the British government that it expected the various companies involved in the aircraft, guided weapons and engine industries to consolidate and merge with one another. On 16 September 1957 the senior management of the aircraft industry was called to a meeting in Whitehall at the Ministry of Supply, where the government’s policy was outlined. The firms were informed that the contract for a new aircraft to meet Operational Requirement 339 — the replacement for the Canberra light bomber — would only be awarded to a consortium.

The rationalization policy was officially announced on 13 May 1958. English Electric was clear favourite to win the contract to build OR339. However, Vickers-Armstrongs’ submission to OR339 also interested the defence chiefs, who asked the two firms to work together on a revised proposal, OR343. In January 1959 the Government announced the award of the contract, now named TSR.2, to Vickers-Armstrongs with English Electric as a sub-contractor.

The British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) came into being in June 1960 when the Boards of Vickers-Armstrongs, English Electric and Bristol, who had been near to liquidation, agreed to set up a joint company. Vickers and English Electric each had a 40 per cent holding and Bristol 20 per cent in the new concern. BAC was to consist solely of their collective aircraft manufacturing companies, while their non-aviation sections would remain wholly with the parent companies. The parents still had significant aviation interests outside BAC. English Electric had Napier & Son aero-engines, Bristol had 50% of Bristol Aerojet and Bristol Siddeley engines and smaller investments in Westland and Short Brothers & Harland. Lord Portal became non-executive Chairman with two Deputy Chairmen from the majority partners: Sir Charles Dunphie from Vickers and Lord Nelson from English Electric. Sir George Edwards was appointed Executive Director (Aircraft) and Lord Caldecote Executive Director (Guided Weapons). Just over a year later Sir George became Managing Director (Aircraft) with Lord Caldecote as his deputy but with sole responsibility for Guided Weapons. Edwards later became BAC’s chairman, before resigning in 1975.

BAC’s first press release in May 1960 announced its new name, the shareholdings, the names of the board of directors and the capital of £20m. The combined grouping had 30,000 employees. The same release announced that the first act of the new Corporation was to buy the aircraft interests of the Hunting Group for £1.3m.

In 1960, BAC inherited 13 sites. Bristol had three sites: Filton, Bristol, Bournemouth, Dorset (closed by September 1963)and Cardiff, Glamorgan (Closed 1966). English Electric’s sites were Warton, Lancashire, Samlesbury, Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, Accrington, Lancashire (passed over to GEC (Engineering) in 1968, but continued with aircraft component manufacture), Luton, Bedfordshire and Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Hunting had just one site: Luton, Bedfordshire (Closed in 1966). Vickers’ sites were: Weybridge, Surrey, Hurn, Dorset and Wisley, Surrey (Closed 1972).

In order to promote the new entity, within a few weeks the Board of Directors decided that companies were to refer to themselves as, for example, ‘Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Limited, a member company of the British Aircraft Corporation’. From 1 January 1964, the process of integration was accelerated when the old names of the firms were superseded by the Corporation’s title. Thus Bristol became BAC (Filton Division), English Electric became BAC (Preston Division), Hunting was BAC (Luton Division) and Vickers was renamed BAC (Weybridge Division). In 1963, BAC acquired the previously autonomous guided weapons divisions of English Electric and Bristol to form a new subsidiary, BAC (Guided Weapons). These Divisions were all subsidiaries of BAC (Operating) Ltd; this company reported to the BAC (Holdings) Board, on which sat representatives of the share-holding companies of the Corporation (Bristol, English Electric and Vickers-Armstrongs) and which retained control of broader policy

The majority of BAC's aircraft designs had been inherited from the individual companies that formed it. The first model to bear the BAC name was the BAC One-Eleven, derived from an earlier Hunting Aircraft study, in 1961. Prior to the merger, Bristol’s commercial design effort had centred on the Bristol 223 supersonic transport. Under BAC, this continued and was eventually merged with similar efforts underway at the French aircraft company Sud Aviation, resulting in the Anglo-French Concorde.

Development of the TSR.2 had been the prime mover in the creation of BAC but, as the programme proceeded, continuous cost rises were incurred, resulting in the British government announced that it had decided to cancel the programme on 6 April 1965. For a time, the very existence of BAC was in doubt as a compensation settlement from the Government was not forthcoming until 1967. 5,000 BAC employees lost their jobs, primarily at Weybridge and Samlesbury. Then, as there was over-capacity, at the end of 1965 the former Hunting factory at Luton was closed, with the loss of 2,000 jobs, and its work redistributed.

On 17 May 1965, the British and French governments announced the signing of a pair of agreements to cover the two joint projects; one based on the French aircraft company Breguet Aviation Br.121 Tactical Combat Support Trainer proposal, which would eventually would evolve into the SEPECAT Jaguar. The other was the BAC/Dassault AFVG (Anglo-French Variable Geometry), a larger, variable geometry fighter aircraft fulfilling interceptor, tactical strike and reconnaissance roles. The AFVG was to be jointly developed by BAC and Dassault Aviation, while the proposed M45G turbofan engine to power the aircraft was to also be jointly developed by SNECMA and Bristol Siddeley. However, during June 1967, the French government announced its withdrawal from the AFVG effort ostensibly on the grounds of cost.

BAC had inherited research into various space-related ventures continued at the new entity. One of these research teams, originally part of English Electric, was initially investigating supersonic and hypersonic flight problems, following which it became interested in the application of such a vehicle for space-related activities, eventually leading to the BAC Mustard, a reusable launch system that comprised several near-identical winged vehicles.

In 1967, the British, French and German governments agreed to start development of the 300-seat Airbus A300 large wide-bodied airliner. BAC meantime was developing their BAC Three-Eleven project, aimed at the same market. The British national airline British European Airways (BEA) was publicly interested in the type; during August 1970, BEA's chairman, Sir Anthony Milward, declared his personal optimism for the Three-Eleven. However, Britain's potential Common Market partners warned that, since the Three-Eleven would directly compete against the European Airbus, around which they had largely coalesced, the project effectively undermined British loyalty to the EEC which, at this point, the British government was interested in joining. On 2 December 1970, Frederick Corfield, the Minister for Aviation Supply, announced in the House of Commons that there would be no official backing from the government for the Three-Eleven programme.

Following the AFVG cancellation due to the withdrawal of French participation, Britain turned to a national project, the UK Variable Geometry (UKVG), for which BAC Warton was given a design contract. These studies eventually became known as the BAC Advanced Combat Aircraft programme. In 1968, Britain was invited to join Canada and the F-104 Consortium (a grouping of Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands), all of whom wished to replace their current aircraft with a common design, subsequently described as the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). Though Canada and Belgium were to drop out, on 26 March 1969, Panavia Aircraft GmbH was formed by BAC, MBB, Fiat and Fokker. In May, a "project definition phase" was commenced, concluding in early 1970. The Netherlands also dropped out, but in September 1971, the governments of Britain, Italy and Germany signed an Intention to Proceed (ITP) with the Panavia Tornado, and the three governments signed the contract for Batch 1 of the aircraft on 29 July 1976.

In 1974 the newly installed Labour Government was determined to nationalize certain major industrial sectors, including the aviation industry. For GEC and Vickers this meant they would each lose one of the most important assets. Vickers was to suffer a double blow as shipbuilding, the other major asset of their engineering portfolio, was also to be nationalized. The Government bill to nationalize both the aircraft and shipbuilding industries was eventually passed into law in March 1977. On 29 April 1977, BAC, the Hawker Siddeley Group and Scottish Aviation were nationalised and merged under the provisions of Aircraft and Shipbuilding Industries Act 1977. This new group was established as a statutory corporation, British Aerospace (BAe).

Company References

  1. From British Aircraft Corporation - A History, Stephen Skinner (Crowood, 2012)
  2. The Formation of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) 1957-61, Professor Keith Hayward (R.Ae.S Journal of Aeronautical History, January 2012)

Project Data Index

Legacy
Filton
Weybridge Division - ex Vickers-Armstrong
Weybridge Division - ex Vickers-Supermarine
Luton Division
Preston Division (Warton)
Collaborative Projects

Legacy Aircraft

Aircraft Reference
BAC 107 See Hunting
BAC 208 See Bristol
Canberra See English Electric
Lightning See English Electric
Jet Provost See Hunting
Strikemaster See Hunting
VC.10 See Vickers

Project Data - BAC (Filton Division) For Type Numbers Before 221, See Bristol.

Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
221 1960 ER.193D/ER.221D Proto (1) 1S, 1E research aircraft dev. from Fairey F.D.2 7, 12, 15, 32, 67, 302, 310, 396, 495, 820, 848
222 1960 C.225 (ASR.351) Proj 0 4E military transport with BLC - derived from the Lockheed C-130 7, 26, 27, 27, 32, 352, 386, 387, 388
223 1961 Proj 0 4E supersonic transport; design led to Concorde 7, 13, 23, 32, 38, 317
'Aerobus' 1961 Proj 0 4E, 104 pax all-wing short range transport 38
224 1961 NMBR.4 Proj 0 2E+8 lift engine VSTOL transport 7, 32
225 1962 C.225 (ASR.351) Proj 0 4E STOL transport; later developed as a
4E maritime reconnaisance aircraft to GOR.357.		 7, 32

In 1971 Filton and Weybridge Divisions became the Commercial Aircraft Division.

Project Data - BAC (Weybridge Division)

Ex Vickers-Armstrong  For VC-10 and Vanguard Derived Projects, See Vickers.
Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
111 One-Eleven 1-11 1961 Prdn 235 2E jet airliner 2, 11, 15, 26, 26, 28, 46, 59, 60, 61, 63, 67, 307, 321, 321, 325, 334, 353, 367, 369, 370, 371, 375, 379, 380, 383, 387, 389, 390, 393, 845
10-11* 1964 ASR.381 (OR.357) Proj 0 4E maritime reconnaissance aircraft 26
1199 1966 Proj 0 4E, 284 pax wide body airliner 38
211 Two-Eleven 2-11 1966 Proj 0 2E, 219 pax airliner 11, 15, 30, 38, 44, 64, 67, 308, 403, 407, 409, 413, 414
201 1967 Proj 0 2E, 28 pax high wing combined passenger/freighter 38, 313, 406, 407, 413, 812
401 1967 Proj 0 4E, high wing transport 38, 313
Long Range Business Jet 1968 Proj 0 2E large business jet with up to 15 pax 38
311 Three-Eleven 3-11 1968 Proj 0 2E, 270 pax airliner 11, 15, 38, 44, 67, 314, 357, 374, 418, 419, 422, 427, 429, 437, 438, 486, 849
STOL 1969 Proj 0 Studies for STOL airliner, various configurations 38
Universal 1970 Proj 0 Mach 6 combined passenger/freighter 38, 811
QSTOL 1971 Proj 0 4E,108-140 pax high wing airliner 38, 358, 441, 442, 444, 810
AST 1975 Proj 0 Studies for supersonic airliner, various configurations 38
* derived from a combination of VC.10 and BAC 111

Merged into British Aerospace in April 1977.

Project Data - BAC (Weybridge Division)

Ex Vickers-Supermarine  For Type Numbers Before 577 (except 571), See Supermarine.
Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
571 (1) TSR.2 1959 (GOR.339) RB.192D/(OR.343) Proto 10 2S, 2E tactical strike/reconnaissance aircraft (development batch) 1, 6, 12, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 41, 44, 56, 64, 66, 303, 304, 306, 309, 311, 315, 354, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 368, 370, 394, 395, 494, 801, 802, 803, 804, 813, 819, 847, 900
577 1959 Proj 0 2S, 2E naval/RAF strike aircraft.
578 1960 Proj 0
579 TSR.2 1960 Proj 0 TSR2 pre-production aircraft See Type 571
580 Unknown
581 1960 ER.206 (OR.346) Proj 0 2S, 2E naval/RAF strike aircraft. 21, 819
582 1960 ER.206 (OR.346) Proj 0 2S, 8E, twin fuselage strike aircraft 21, 45, 817
582 AEW 1960 NR/A.107 Proj 0 AEW variant of Type 582 See Type 582
583 1962 ER.206 (OR.346)
F.242 (AW.406)
NSR.6406		 Proj 0 2S, 2E v.g. naval strike fighter 21
583 AEW 1962 NR/A.107 Proj 0 AEW variant of Type 583 See Type 583
583V 1963 ER.206 (OR.346))
F.242 (AW.406))
NSR.6406		 Proj 0 VTOL derivative of Type 583 See Type 583
584 1961 NMBR.3 (OR.345) Proj 0 2S, 1E + 8 lift E, v.g. V/STOL strike aircraft 21, 44
585 1961 Proj 0 Initially a naval derivative of Type 584)
Later, 1E close support aircraft		 21
586 1961 Proj 0 Mach 2 variable geometry airliner studies 21, 23
587 1961 Proj 0 Mach 2 variable geometry airliner studies 21, 23
588 1961 ER.206 (OR.356) Proj 0 Variable geometry research aircraft:
Modified E.E. Lighting or Supermarine Swift		 21
589 1962 ER.206 (OR.356) Proj 0 2S, 2E v.g. research aircraft based on Type 590 21, 815
590 1962 ER.206 (OR.356) Proj 0 Variable geometry strike aircraft 21
591 1962 (OR.355) Proj 0 High Mach No. development of Type 589 21
592 Unknown
593 1964 Proj 0 1S, 1E small experimental v.g. aircraft 21
594 TSR.2 1964 (GOR.339) Proj 0 TSR2 production aircraft See Type 571
595 TSR.2 1964 (GOR.339) Proj 0 TSR2 trainer See Type 571
1965 (AST.364) Proj 0 4E strategic transport
1965 (NAST.6166) Proj 0 AEW studies - See table

After 1965, military project design was transferred to Warton.

Project Data - BAC (Luton Division) For Type Numbers before P.158, See Hunting.

Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
P.158 1964 Proj 0 2E basic jet trainer 8
P.159 1964 Proj 0 Jet Provost deriv. with 2 fuselage mounted engines 8
P.160 1964 Proj 0 Tandem COIN aircraft 8
P.161 1964 Proj 0 Side-by-side COIN aircraft 8
P.162 1964 Proj 0 Basic trainer 8
P.163 1964 Proj 0 2E COIN aircraft 8
P.164 BAC 164 1964 See Hunting Jet Provost
P.165 1965 Proj 0 2E COIN aircraft 8
P.166 BAC 166 1965 See Hunting Jet Provost
P.167 Strikemaster BAC 167 1965 See Hunting Jet Provost
P.168 1965 Proj 0 Stretched Jet Provost derivative 8
P.169 1965 Proj 0 AEW derivative of Hunting Pembroke 8, 45
P.170 1965 Proj 0 Type 164 with RB.172 powerplant 8
P.171 1965 Proj 0 Type 164 with RB.152 powerplant 8
P.172 1965 Proj 0 2E COIN aircraft 8
P.173 1965 Proj 0 2E COIN aircraft 8

BAC Luton closed in 1966. Project design was transferred to Warton.

Project Data - BAC (Preston Division)

In 1971, the Preston Division became the Military Aircraft Division. For Type Numbers before P.35, See English Electric.
Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
P.35 Project Prodigal 1960 FVRDE Spec 92/58
(GSR.1009)		 Proj 0 2S, 2E, 4-wheel Flying Jeep 4, 44, 399, 411
P.36 1960 See table Proj 0 V/STOL medium range transport - See table 4, 27
P.37 1961 ER.206/(OR.346) Proj 0 STOL naval/RAF strike aircraft. 4, 18
P.38 1961 Proj 0 Bomber/reconnaissance variant of E.E. Canberra 4
P.39 1961 (NBMR.3) Proj 0 VTOL strike fighter - anglicised Dassault Mirage IIIV 4, 18, 21
P.40 1962 Proj 0 2E low wing feederliner 4, 38
P.41 1962 (NBMR.4) Proj 0 Tactical V/STOL transport 4
P.42 1962 See note 3 Proj 0 Hypersonic aircraft studies - See table 4, 18, 19, 20, 20, 22, 67
P.43 1962 (NBMR.4) Proj 0 V/STOL medium range transport - See table 4, 27
P.44 1962 (NBMR.4) Proj 0 Tactical V/STOL Freighter - See table 4, 27
P.45 1962 (AST.362) Proj 0 1/2S, 2E fixed and v.g. strike / trainer - See table 4, 21, 41, 44, 66, 816, 829
P.46 1964 Proj 0 Multiple studies to Jones Committee 17, 18
P.47 1965 Proj 0 STOL Canberra study 18
P.48 Unknown
P.49 1967 Proj 0 2E light strike trainer 18
P.50 Unknown
P.51 UKVG 1967 (ASR.388) Proj 0 2S, 2E v.g. strike aircraft. 14, 17, 18, 36, 410, 412, 836
P.52 Unknown
P.53 1968 Proj 0 Fixed wing version of P.51 17, 18
P.54 1968 (ASR.397) Proj 0 2s, 1E jet basic trainer - See table 66, 809
P.55 1968 (ASR.397) Proj 0 2S, 1E variant of the Jet Provost with a Viper 600 66, 809
P.56 Unknown
P.57 1968 (ASR.397) Proj 0 2S, 1E supersonic strike trainer studies 18, 66
P.58 Unknown
P.59 (ASR.397) Proj 0 2S, 1E jet basic trainer. 39, 66, 809
P.60 1969 (ASR.397) Proj 0 Family of small advanced trainer/close support and air superiority aircraft - See table. 18, 66, 809, 835
P.61 PANNAP 1969 (ASR.397) Proj 0 Family of small advanced trainer/close support and air superiority aircraft - See table. 18, 66, 439, 443, 451, 458, 459, 809, 816, 833
P.62 (ASR.397) Proj 0 1E, 2S jet basic trainer/1S strike trainer. 39, 66
P.63 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development. 18
P.64 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Studies to AST.396. 18
P.65 1971 Proj 0 GAC(US) / BAC joint venture studies. 18
P.66 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 1S, 1E fixed wing strike aircraft based on P.61 - See table. 18, 807, 827
P.67 Tornado IDS MRCA 1971 (ASR.392) See Panavia Tornado IDS
P.68 Tornado ADV 1971 (ASR.395) See Panavia Tornado ADV
P.69 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development - See table. 18, 21
P.70 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar VTOL development - See table 18, 21, 807, 832
P.71 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar VTOL development (lift + cruise engines) 18, 21, 807, 823
P.72 1971 (AST.396) Proj 0 Various studies to AST.396 18, 67, 842
P.73 1972 (AST.396) Proj 0 Lightweight v.g. studies to AST.396 18
P.74 1973 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar developments with new engines 18
P.75 Proj 0 RPV Studies 18, 830
P.76 1973 (AST.396) Proj 0 P.67 Tornado variant to AST.396 18
P.77 1973 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development (minimal change) 18
P.78 1973 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development (new wing) 18
P.79 1973 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development (new fuselage) 18
P.80 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 840
P.81 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 824
P.82 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 828
P.83 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 825
P.84 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 834
P.85 Proj 0 RPV Studies - see note 4 18, 826
P.86 1975 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development 18
P.87 1975 (AST.396) Proj 0 Jaguar development 18
P.88 1975 (AST.396) Proj 0 Blended body fixed wing aircraft 17, 18
P.89 1976 (AST.396) Proj 0 Blended body delta wing aircraft 17, 18
P.90 1975 (AST.396) Proj 0 V.G. design for comparison with P.88 and P.89 17, 18, 837
P.91 1976 (AST.403) Proj 0 1E, blended body v.g. strike fighter 17, 21, 807, 807, 818
P.92 1976 (AST.403) Proj 0 2E v.g. fighter 17, 807
P.93 1976 (AST.403) Proj 0 1E delta winged fighter 17, 807, 822
P.94 1978 (AST.403) Proj 0 2E canard delta winged fighter 17, 21, 841
P.95 1976 (AST.403) Proj 0 1E fighter 17, 807, 843
P.96 1977 (AST.403) Proj 0 2E fighter 21, 42, 807, 818
P.97 Super Jaguar 1976 (AST.403) Proj 0 2E fighter 17, 21, 18, 472, 807, 814, 814, 818

Merged into British Aerospace in April 1977.

Project Data - BAC Collaborative Projects

Project No Type No Name Alternative Name(s) Year Spec (Requirement) Status Qty Description References
 BAC/Aerospatiale
Concorde 1962 Prdn 20 4E supersonic airliner 13, 15, 23, 29, 30, 31, 54, 59, 60, 61, 63, 67, 305, 317, 322, 335, 343, 346, 356, 366, 372, 376, 377, 391, 392, 405, 421, 440, 490, 493, 800, 808
 SEPECAT (BAC/Breguet)
Jaguar 1965 (ASR.362) Prdn 634 1/2S, 2E fixed wing strike / trainer 3, 5, 9, 15, 18, 24, 34, 47, 50, 53, 57, 58, 62, 65, 66, 301, 312, 318, 319, 327, 331, 332, 333, 338, 339, 341, 344, 345, 347, 350, 355, 364, 365, 373, 382, 397, 398, 401, 401, 403, 406, 415, 431, 431, 450, 453, 461, 461, 463, 478, 479, 482, 487, 491, 492, 801, 802, 805
 BAC/Dassault
AFVG 1965 (ASR.388) Proj 0 2S, 2E variable geometry strike aircraft 18, 36, 41, 44, 402, 403, 404, 408, 838, 838
 BAC/CAC
AA-107 1968 Proj 0 2S, 1E variable geometry advanced trainer close support aircraft. See also P.61V3 18, 34, 66, 430, 434, 435, 816, 831, 846
 Panavia (Originally BAC/MBB/Aeritalia, later BAE Systems/Airbus Deutschland/Alenia)
Tornado MRA-75, MRCA,
Panavia 100, Panavia 200,
Panther		 1968 (ASR.392)
(ASR.395)		 Prdn 992 2S, 2E variable geometry tactical strike, electronic combat/reconnaissance or air defence interceptor aircraft. 5, 6, 10, 15, 21, 33, 35, 36, 37, 43, 48, 49, 51, 52, 55, 57, 58, 62, 65, 66, 300, 316, 320, 323, 326, 328, 329, 330, 336, 337, 340, 342, 348, 349, 378, 384, 385, 416, 417, 420, 423, 424, 425, 426, 428, 432, 433, 436, 439, 462, 465, 466, 467, 469, 471, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 480, 481, 483, 484, 485, 487, 489, 806
PANNAP (Panavia New Aircraft Project) 1969 See P.61
 Europlane (BAC/MBB/Saab and later CASA)
1972 Proj 0 2E, 180-200 pax QTOL airliner 38, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 452, 454, 455, 456, 457, 460

Abbreviations

BLCBoundary Layer Control
COINCounter Insurgency
FVRDEFighting Vehcle Research and Development Establishment
GETOLGround Effect Take Off and Landing
GELTOLGround Effect Leap Take Off and Landing
QSTOLQuiet Short take off and landing
QTOLQuiet take off and landing
RPVRemotely Piloted Vehicle
RSTOLReduced/Short take off and landing
RTOLReduced Take Off and Landing
STOLShort Take Off and Landing
V.g Variable Geometry
V/STOLVertical/Short take of and landing
V/STOVLVertical/Short Take Off and Landing

Project Notes

  1. The pre-production TSR.2 used the same Type Number as the original Vickers submission to GOR.339.
  2. Gibson [21] refers to two RPV studies, the "Dragonfly" and "Boomerang", which would presumably be part of the P.80 through P.85 studies.

Project References

To show project references in a floating window 
Books & Booklets
 
1. The British Bomber since 1914, Peter Lewis (Putnam, 1967)
2. British Civil Aircraft since 1919 Volume 1, A.J. Jackson (Putnam, 2nd Ed., 1973)
3. Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918, Owen Thetford (Putnam, 1979)
4. English Electric Aircraft and their Predecessors, Stephen Ransom and Robert Fairclough (Putnam, 1987)
5. The British Fighter Since 1912, Francis K. Mason (Putnam, 1992)
6. The British Bomber Since 1914, Francis K. Mason (Putnam, 1994)
7. The Bristol Aeroplane Company, Derek N. James (Tempus, 2001)
8. On The Wings of a Gull: Percival and Hunting Aircraft, David W. Gearing (Air Britain (Historians), 2012)
9. BAC Jaguar, Andy Evans (The Crowood Press, 1998)
10. Panavia Tornado, Andy Evans (The Crowood Press, 1999)
11. BAC 111, Malcolm Hill (The Crowood Press, 1999)
12. British Experimental Turbojet Aircraft, Barry Jones (The Crowood Press, 2003)
13. BAC Concorde, Kev Darling (The Crowood Press, 2004)
14. BAC TSR2 - Britains Lost Bomber, Damien Burke (The Crowood Press, 2010)
15. BAC - A History, Stephen Skinner (The Crowood Press, 2012)
16. TSR.2 - Aeroplane Icons (Kelsey Publishing, 2014)
17. British Secret Projects 1: Jet Fighters since 1950, Tony Buttler (1st Ed., Midland 2000; 2nd Ed., Crecy, 2017)
18. British Secret Projects 2: Jet Bombers since 1949, Tony Buttler (1st Ed., Midland 2003; 2nd Ed., Crecy, 2018)
19. British Secret Projects 5: Britains Space Shuttle, Dan Sharp (Crecy, 2016)
20. British Secret Projects: Hypersonics Ramjets and Missiles, Chris Gibson and Tony Buttler (Midland, 2007)
21. Typhoon to Typhoon - RAF Air Support Projects and Weapons Since 1945, Chris Gibson (Hikoki, 2019)
22. Secret Projects: Military Space Technology, Bill Rose (Midland, 2008)
23. Building Concorde: From Drawing Board to Mach 2, Tony Buttler (Crecy, 2018)
24. SEPCAT Jaguar - Tactical Support and Maritime Strike Fighter, Martin W Bowman (Pen &Sword, 2007)
25. Vulcans Hammer - V-force Projects and Weapons Since 1945, Chris Gibson (Hikoki Publications, 2011)
26. Nimrods Genesis, Chris Gibson (Hikoki Publications, 2015)
27. On Atlas' Shoulders, Chris Gibson (Hikoki Publications, 2016)
28. BAC One-Eleven - The Whole Story, Stephen Skinner (Tempus, 2002)
29. Concorde - Story of a Supersonic Pioneer, Kenneth Owen (Science Museum, 2001)
30. British Research and Development Aircraft, Ray Sturtivant (Haynes, 1990)
31. Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde - Haynes Owners Workshop Manual, David Lenay &David Macdonald (Haynes Publishing UK, 2015)
32. Bristol an Aircraft Album, James D. Oughton (Ian Allan,1973)
33. Modern Combat Aircraft 6 - Panavia Tornado, Bill Gunston (Ian Allan, 1980)
34. Modern Combat Aircraft #14 - SEPECAT Jaguar, Arthur Reed (Ian Allan, 1982)
35. Ian Allan Aircraft Special - RAF Tornado, Paul Jackson (Ian Allan, 1987)
36. PANAVIA Tornado, Alfred Price (Ian Allan, 1988)
37. Warbirds Illustrated 42 - Tornado, Michael J. Gething (Arms and Armour Press, 1987)
38. Stuck on the Drawing Board, Richard Payne (Tempus, 2004)
39. British Aerospace Hawk, Roy Braybrook (Osprey Publishing, 1984)
40. X Planes #5 - TSR2 - Britains Lost Cold War Strike Jet, Andew Brookes (Osprey Publishing, 2017)
41. Combat Aircraft Prototypes since 1945, Robert Jackson (Airlife, 1985)
42. From Spitfire to Eurofighter: 45 Years of Combat Aircraft Design, Roy Boot (Airlife, 1990)
43. Tornado, Ian Black (Airlife, 1990)
44. Project Cancelled, Derek Wood (Janes, 2nd Ed., 1986)
45. Project Tech Profile 02 - The Admiralty and AEW, Chris Gibson (Blue Envoy Press, 2011)
46. Project Tech Profile 04 - The Air Staff and AEW, Chris Gibson (Blue Envoy Press, 2013)
47. Aeroguide #2 - SEPECAT Jaguar GR Mk.1 (Linewrights Ltd, UK)
48. Aeroguide #21 - Panavia Tornado F Mk.2/3 (Linewrights Ltd, UK)
49. Aeroguide #24 - Panavia Tornado GR Mk.1 (Linewrights Ltd, UK)
50. Aeroguide #31 - SEPECAT Jaguar Mks 1-4 (Ad Hoc Publications Ltd, UK)
51. Aeroguide #4 - Panavia Tornado GR Mk.1 (Linewrights Ltd, UK)
52. Aircraft in Action #1111 - Panavia Tornado in Action, Glenn Ashley (Squadron/Signal Publishing, 1991)
53. Aircraft in Action #1197 - Sepecat Jaguar in Action, Glenn Ashley (Squadron/Signal Publishing, 2005)
54. Aircraft Profile #250 - Aérospatiale / BAC Concorde, Norman Barfield (Profile Publications)
55. AIRData #2 - Panavia Tornado IDS, Andy Evans (SAM Publications, 2009)
56. A History of the BAC TSR.2, (Blackbushe Aviation Research Group Monograph No.4)
57. An Illustrated Guide to Modern Attack Aircraft, Mike Spick (Salamander, 1987)
58. An Illustrated Guide to NATO Fighters and Attack Aircraft, Bill Gunston (Salamander, 1983)
59. Classic Airliners, Tom Singfield (Midland, 2000)
60. Jet Airliners of the World, J.R. Birch (Air-Britain (Historians), 1973)
61. Jet Airliners of the World, J.R. Birch (Air-Britain (Historians), 1978)
62. Modern Air Combat, Bill Gunston &Mike Spick (Salamander, 1983)
63. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft, David Donald (Thunder Books, 1999)
64. X-Planes and Prototypes - From Nazi Secret Weapons To The Warplanes Of The Future, Jim Winchester (Grange Books, 2005)
65. Spy Planes, Anthony M. Thornborough (Arms and Armour Press, 1991)
66. Teach for the Sky, James Jackson (Hikoki. 2021)
67. British Special Projects, Bill Rose (Fonthill Publishing, 2020)
68. British Post War-War Airliners - An A-Z of Aircraft 1945-2000, Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume (Stenlake Publishing, 2017)
Magazines & Periodicals
 
300. 21st Profile No 2 400. Flight 10 Mar 1966
301. Aeroplane Monthly Aug 1974 401. Flight 19 May 1966
302. Aeroplane Monthly Apr 1992 402. Flight 26 Jan1967
303. Aeroplane Monthly Jul 1997 403. Flight 09 Mar 1967
304. Aeroplane Monthly Aug 1997 404. Flight 18 May1967
305. Aeroplane Monthly Nov 2003 405. Flight 18 May 1967
306. Aeroplane Monthly Feb 2012 406. Flight 01 Jun 1967
307. Aeroplane Monthly Nov 2012 407. Flight 08 Jun 1967
308. Aeroplane Monthly Dec 2014 408. Flight 13 Jul 1967
309. Aeroplane Monthly May 2015 409. Flight 24 Aug 1967
310. Air Britain Aeromilitaria 2006/1 (Air-Britain Publications) 410. Flight 05 Oct 1967
311. Air Britain Aeromilitaria 2009/4 (Air-Britain Publications) 411. Flight 19 Oct 1967
312. Air Britain Aeromilitaria 2010/1 (Air-Britain Publications) 412. Flight 02 Nov 1967
313. Air Britain Aviation World 2012/2 (Air-Britain Publications) 413. Flight 23 Nov 1967
314. Air Britain Digest 2001/3 (Air-Britain Publications) 414. Flight 21 Dec 1967
315. Air Enthusiast Quarterly No 14 415. Flight 18 Apr 1968
316. Air Enthusiast Quarterly No 129 416. Flight 19 Sep 1968
317. Air International Sep 1971 417. Flight 26 Sep 1968
318. Air International Sep 1972 418. Flight 14 Nov 1968
319. Air International Jun 1974 419. Flight 21 Nov 1968
320. Air International Sep 1974 420. Flight 26 Dec 1968
321. Air International Jun 1975 421. Flight 06 Mar 1969
322. Air International Feb 1976 422. Flight 11 Mar 1969
323. Air International Sep 1976 423. Flight 03 Apr 1969
324. Air International Aug 1977 424. Flight 17 Apr 1969
325. Air International Jan 1979 425. Flight 01 May 1969
326. Air International Nov 1979 426. Flight 05 Jun 1969
327. Air International Dec 1979 427. Flight 10 Jul 1969
328. Air International Sep 1984 428. Flight 07 Aug 1969
329. Air International May 1986 429. Flight 14 Aug 1969
330. Air International Oct 1987 430. Flight 09 Oct 1969
331. Air International Oct 1988 431. Flight 16 Oct 1969
332. Air International Nov 1988 432. Flight 09 Apr 1970
333. Air International Jun 1989 433. Flight 23 Apr 1970
334. Air International Oct 1992 434. Flight 04 Jun 1970
335. Air International Mar 1994 435. Flight 09 Jul 1970
336. Air International Oct 1996 436. Flight 30 Jul 1970
337. Air International May 1997 437. Flight 17 Sep 1970
338. Air International Oct 1997 438. Flight 14 Jan 1971
339. Air International Nov 1997 439. Flight 08 Apr 1971
340. Air International Jul 2000 440. Flight 15 Apr 1971
341. Air International Dec 2000 441. Flight 03 Jun 1971
342. Air International Feb 2001 442. Flight 10 Jun 1971
343. Air International Dec 2003 443. Flight 24 Jun 1971
344. Air International Apr 2005 444. Flight 08 Jul 1971
345. Air International Sep 2005 445. Flight 24 Feb 1972
346. Air International Jul 2006 446. Flight 04 May 1972
347. Air International Nov 2007 447. Flight 07 Sep 1972
348. Air International Dec 2007 448. Flight 21 Sep 1972
349. Air International Apr 2008 449. Flight 26 Oct 1972
350. Air International Oct 2009 450. Flight 09 Nov 1972
351. Air International Dec 2009 451. Flight 25 Jan 1973
352. Air Pictorial Aug 1961 452. Flight 29 Mar 1973
353. Air Pictorial Sep 1963 453. Flight 26 Apr 1973
354. Air Pictorial Dec 1963 454. Flight 24 May 1973
355. Air Pictorial Jun 1968 455. Flight 31 May 1973
356. Air Pictorial Apr 1969 456. Flight 07 Jun 1973
357. Air Pictorial Jan 1970 457. Flight 16 Aug 1973
358. Air Pictorial Oct 1971 458. Flight 04 Oct 1973
359. Air Pictorial Dec 1974 459. Flight 25 Oct 1973
360. Air Pictorial Sep 1978 460. Flight 27 Dec 1973
361. Air Pictorial Oct 1978 461. Flight 22 Aug 1974
362. Air Pictorial Nov 1978 462. Flight 17 Jul 1975
363. Air Pictorial Dec 1978 463. Flight 14 Feb 1976
364. Air Pictorial Oct 1981 464. Flight 26 Jun 1976
365. Air Pictorial Nov 1981 465. Flight 07 Aug 1976
366. Aircraft Engineering Feb 1963 466. Flight 04 Sep 1976
367. Aircraft Engineering May 1963 467. Flight 02 Oct 1976
368. Aircraft Engineering Dec 1963 468. Flight 09 Oct 1976
369. Aircraft Engineering Oct 1964 469. Flight 03 Mar 1977
370. Aircraft Engineering Nov 1964 470. Flight 26 Mar 1977
371. Aircraft Engineering Mar 1967 471. Flight 04 Feb 1978
372. Aircraft Engineering Mar 1968 472. Flight 16 Sep 1978
373. Aircraft Engineering Aug 1968 473. Flight 28 Oct 1978
374. Aircraft Engineering Nov 1968 474. Flight 18 Aug 1979
375. Aircraft Engineering May 1970 475. Flight 30 Aug 1980
376. Aircraft Engineering Apr 1973 476. Flight 24 Jan 1981
377. Aircraft Engineering May 1973 477. Flight 21 Feb 1981
378. Aircraft Engineering May 1974 478. Flight 12 Sep 1981
379. Aircraft Engineering Aug 1983 479. Flight 31 Oct 1981
380. Aircraft Illustrated Dec 1973 480. Flight 11 Jun 1983
381. Aviation News Vol 1 No 23 481. Flight 24 Mar 1984
382. Aviation News Vol 5 No 19 482. Flight 31 Mar 1984
383. Aviation News Vol 6 No 13 483. Flight 05 Oct 1985
384. Aviation News Vol 12 No 2 484. Flight 08 Mar 1986
385. Aviation News May 2011 485. Flight 29 Jul 1989
386. Flight 17 Feb 1961 486. Flight 20 Dec 2006
387. Flight 18 May 1961 487. Flight 15 Mar 2005
388. Flight 01 Jun 1961 488. Flight 15 Mar 2005
389. Flight 10 Aug 1961 489. Flight 29 Mar 2011
390. Flight 24 May 1962 490. Flight 22 Oct 2013
391. Flight 06 Dec 1962 491. Flight 20 May 2014
392. Flight 06 Jun 1963 492. Flight 06 Dec 2016
393. Flight 11 Jul 1963 493. Flying Review Vol 23 No 4
394. Flight 11 Oct 1963 494. Wings Of Fame No 4
395. Flight 09 Apr 1964 495. Wings Of Fame No 11
396. Flight 23 Jul 1964
397. Flight 27 May 1965
398. Flight 17 Jun 1965
399. Flight 24 Jun 1965
Websites
 
800. http://www.concordesst.com/
801. http://www.airvectors.net
802. http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk
803. http://www.ausairpower.net/Profile-BAC-TSR.2.html
804. http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_tsr2long.html
805. https://targetlock.org.uk
806. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3.0.html
807. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/evolution-of-the-eurofighter-typhoon-tkf-90-ast-396-ast-403-and-more.169/
808. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,728.0.html
809. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/alternatives-to-the-bae-hawk-trainer.825/
810. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,829.0.html
811. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1441.0.html
812. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1866.0.html
813. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,2041.0.html
814. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3309.0.html
815. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,3500.0.html
816. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5574.0.html
817. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,5704.0.html
818. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6236.0.html
819. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,21799.0.html
820. https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,25809.0.html
821. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/103/bac-p91
822. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/330/bac-p93
823. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/369/bac-p71
824. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/555/bac-p81
825. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/593/bac-p83
826. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/1169/bac-p85
827. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/1347/bac-p66
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/1379/bac-p82
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/1491/bac-p45
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/1849/bac-p75
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2098/bac-cac-aa-107
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2189/bac-p70
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2561/bac-p61
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2569/bac-p84
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2594/bac-p60
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2601/bac-p51-ukvg
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2620/bac-p90
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2686/bac-dassault-afvg
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2686/bac-dassault-afvg
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2702/bac-p80
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2722/bac-p94
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2849/bac-p72
828. https://aviationsmilitaires.net/v3/kb/aircraft/show/2895/bac-p95
828. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/nbmr-4.htm
828. http://www.bac1-11jet.co.uk/
828. https://eamonh.wordpress.com/2016/05/15/swinging-but-not-winning-the-aa-107-jet-trainer/
828. https://hushkit.net/2012/05/14/the-bac-tsr-2-bombing-the-myth/
828. https://hushkit.net/2014/05/27/this-weeks-crush-the-kidneys-eyes-and-lips-of-the-bac-221/
828. https://hushkit.net/2023/11/09/cancelled-british-airliners/
Papers & Brochures
 
900. TSR2 With Hindsight, Air Vice-Marshal AFC Hunter (Royal Air Force Historical Society, 1988)
901. A Simulation of the Low Speed Handling of the BAC 221 Slender-Wing Research Aircraft, T. Wilcock (MOD, 1969)

Production Summary

Select the button to go to the appropriate listings page.

Note: In the Production Summary, conversions are only listed where they result in a change from one Type to another. Changes to sub-type or Mark Number are not shown in the summary.
For details of these, see the individual listings.

Type No Name Qty
(New)		 Qty
(Conv)		 Canc'd
   TSR 2 10 40
   BAC 111 235 30
   Concorde 20
   BAC 221 (1)
   Jaguar 634
   Tornado 992 8
Total British Aircraft Corporation Production 899
Total British Aircraft Corporation Cancelled Orders 70

Page Revision History

Revised at Version 2.0.0
  • Page was TBD; all details now added.