TSR2: Hell-For-Leather

[Skyraider3D]

Hell-For-Leather

After their nuclear attack against a Soviet industrial target, the crew of this TSR2 dive back to the relative safety of supersonic low-level flight. With the bomber’s cover now broken, a “Shilka” self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is the first enemy unit to respond. As they speed away from the target, hopes are high for a safe return to their forward air base in West Germany... if it is still there. This is the doomsday scenario that could have unfolded, had the Cold War turned hot and had the TSR2 not been cancelled in 1965.
 

Around the height of the Cold War, the British government released a specification for a nuclear-capable strike and reconnaissance aircraft. The result was the British Aircraft Corporation TSR2. Sadly Britain was in a poor financial position at that time and simply couldn't afford this state-of-the-art machine. The cancellation that followed in 1965 nearly wiped out military aircraft production in the UK.

This image was created for Damien Burke's superlative book TSR2, Britain's Lost Bomber, published by Crowood. If you have any interest in the TSR2 at all, this is the one book to get. Freshly researched, it debunks all the misinformation and myths that surrounds it and adds lots of new insight, information and fantastic technical detail that has been hidden in archives for over four decades. An absolute must for anyone interested in Cold War aviation. More information about this book can be found on http://www.tsr2.info

Prints of the cover art are available through my web store at http://www.digitalaviationart.com


Merry Christmas everyone!

Ronnie


PS. Below a few close-ups:

[Profa]

Magnificent work!!!

[No.1]

Good work

[Sall]

Splendid work. Real pearl!

[Paul Bradley]

Oooh, that's nice!

[Nico Braas]

Spendid what-if scene!
Here are some 'real-life' images of the TSR-2/
Airfix had both 1/72 and 1/48 scale model kits, but these were already sold out before they came on the market!

[Letipapa]

Beautiful work Skyraider3D
Great photo's, Nico

[Skyraider3D]

Thanks a lot guys! I hope you all had a good Christmas weekend!


Nice pics Nico! Some of these can be found in full-colour in Damien's book by the way.

[mfg495]

what a great post, I only glad that that I have seen two TSR 2's one at Cosford and the other at Duxford. it is not until you stand next to one you see the great size of of this aircraft.
Designed not just to be a bomber but also to undertake a reconnaissance role

[Letipapa]

It is amazing aircraft. 
I think it was designed to fly low and very quick too, or I am wrong

[mfg495]

The British Aircraft Corporation TSR-2 was a cancelled Cold War strike and reconnaissance aircraft developed by the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC) for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The TSR-2 was designed to penetrate a well-defended forward battle area at low altitudes and very high speeds, and then attack high-value targets in the rear with nuclear or conventional weapons. Another aspect of its combat role was to provide high-altitude, high-speed photo reconnaissance ( ), requirements that necessitated incorporating "state-of-the-art" aviation technology that made it the highest-performing aircraft in these roles.

Although only one prototype was completed, test flights confirmed that the aircraft would be able to meet its stringent design specifications.

Text Source - internet