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XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

XR222 was the fourth prototype BAC TSR.2. It first flew at Warton on the 12th March 1966 and following manufacturer’s trials joined the service trials programme. When pre-production TSR.2s became available early the next year, XR222 was returned to BAC for modifications as a weapons test aircraft and transferred to the Aeroplane and Armament Evaluation Establishment (A&AEE) at Boscombe Down. Modifications included strengthened undercarriage and camera pods. It was during this period that XR222 gained a colour scheme of anti-flash white and roundel blue with hi-viz orange panels, and standard brightly coloured roundels.

After testing a range of conventional and nuclear free-fall weapons throughout 1967-8, XR222 was flown to Bristol at Filton for modification to accept the Douglas-Bristol AGM-87A Skybolt MkII air-launched ballistic missile on the 5th October 1968. The Skybolt was cancelled by the US Government in 1962 due to continuing problems with the test programme but the UK Government decided to continue funding Douglas to produce the Skybolt, on condition that they entered into a partnership with Bristol to develop and manufacture the missile. It was originally to be fitted to Avro Vulcan B.2s and B.3s and Handley-Page Victor B.2s and B.3s, and was successfully operating from these aircraft by the late 1960s. However, simulations showed that the V-bombers were increasingly vulnerable to Soviet SAMs and interceptor aircraft, and Bristol was charged with developing a MkII variant of the Skybolt for use on TSR.2s. The concept was for TSR.2s to dash into Soviet airspace at low level before climbing steeply to release the Skybolt. To do this successfully the TSR.2 needed to roll on its back while climbing almost vertically.

The main problem with this tactic was that the Skybolt’s stellar-monitored inertial guidance system was likely to be confused by the pre-launch manoeuvring leading to failure to enter the powered phase in the correct orientation. Therefore XR222 was assigned the task of helping Bristol develop an improved guidance system able to tolerate the lo-hi-lo flight pattern and inverted launch. The testing programme at Filton and Boscombe Down was challenging, and the various problems were not fully solved until well into 1970. The missiles started to equip the TSR.2 fleet in 1972. By this time, XR222 was the only pre-production TSR.2 still flying. She continued at the A&AEE at Boscombe Down and then West Freugh until 1976 on various programmes including external drop tanks, upgraded avionics and passive sensors, and displayed at the Farnborough airshow a third and final time that year. She was struck off charge, and flew to the IWM Duxford on the 24th October 1976 for preservation.

The model shows XR222 as she appeared in the Skybolt II testing programme between 1968 and 1970. More pics in gallery

DH764 · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 15:52 pm Post subject:

Excuse me for slavering over the monitor screen ......
That is superb XN923 , jaw on floor stuff .
Hats off to you .

Andy
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Ratch · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 16:38 pm Post subject:

Stunning work Matt

A very striking scheme, expertly executed

and a great background story too

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XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

Why thankyou kind sirs

I am quite pleased with the result now it's finished though it was looking ropey for a while there. Next time I build a TSR.2 I will pay very close attention to the fit of parts, and I really need to work on my finishing - but overall it looks like I hoped it would.

jhl1908 · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 18:10 pm Post subject:

I have no words (almost)

Jesper.
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 18:21 pm Post subject:

Very attractive finish!

All the best
Sgt.S
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thomasweir · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 19:59 pm Post subject:

Brilliant work

Richard M · Posted: Mon 02 Feb 2009 20:09 pm Post subject:

Fantastic build, really looks great in that snazzy scheme. I'm tempted to get a couple of those Skybolts to attach to a Victor.
Best
Rich
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XN923 · Bronze Star Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 1176

hewman100 · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 12:07 pm Post subject:

WOW!!!!! we really need a 'jaw drop' smiley!
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feanor · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 12:28 pm Post subject:

Ayup Matt...

Stunning. an inverted Launch at mach 2...

Wow, what a thrill !
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TimJ · Posted: Tue 03 Feb 2009 16:47 pm Post subject:

Great work Matt.

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