Past Talks : September 2024

“Aircraft Procurement Misjudgements” by Group Captain Jock Heron OBE RAF Retd

Subtitled “79 Years of success or failure … with the wisdom of hindsight”, tonight’s talk by Jock was mostly of failure. In 1945, Britain was deeply in debt, facing unpredictable emerging threats, yet paradoxically with a buoyant, capable and productive aircraft industry. Who now remembers Airspeed, Boulton-Paul and Percival? Helicopter manufacturers included Cierva and Saunders Roe. These the eminent companies were all active in 1945, representing a huge over-capacity in the face of reduced demand. The same could be said of the variety of engine manufacturers (Alvis, de Havilland, Napier etc) and suppliers of electronic equipment and allied systems.

In 1960, the UK military deployed many different front line fixed wing aircraft, all designed, manufactured and supported in Britain, The RN operated seven types (Sea Hawk, Scimitar, Sea Venom etc) while the RAF had no less than 11 front line types and 14 in training and support roles. By contrast, in 2024 only one RAF type, the BAE Hawk, is an all-British design. The Typhoon is the product of international co-operation, while most of the other types are of US or French (Airbus) derivation.

“Where did it all go wrong?” Our speaker described various government decisions affecting the industry. The wartime Brabazon Report led to building two enormous white elephants, the Brabazon and the Princess flying boat. The Berlin airlift in 1948 exposed the RAF’s lack of adequate transport aircraft, while the Korean War in 1950 – 53 revealed the inadequacy of Gloster Meteor and Hawker Sea Fury against the Russian-built MiG 15. In the early 1950s, there was an urgent need to developour nuclear deterrent (although did we need four separate V-bomber designs?) Priority was given to the Comet, Viscount and Britannia, but there was little emphasis on research and development (R&D)and cost pressures were increasing. In 1957, the Sandys Defence Review led to the cancellation of all RAF manned aircraft projects except the Lighting and the Canberra replacement. The Blackburn NA39 (Buccaneer) survived, but national defence was to rely on missiles and the aircraft industry was to be ruthlessly re-configured.

Aircraft manufacturers were consolidated into two groups (British Aircraft Corporation and Hawker Siddeley) but there was little Government support for aerospace research and the RAF lost an entire generation of aircraft capable of supporting the NATO low level strike role. Hawker Siddeley used its own funds to develop the P1127, capitalising on the brilliant Bristol Pegasus engine (also privately funded) and this led to the successful Harrier. The RAF initiated three major projects – the low-level strike TSR2, the STOL capable HS681 transport and the supersonic STOVL fighter, the P1154. The 1957 (Healey) Defence Review identified the submarine-launched Polaris as Britain’s nuclear deterrent and looked abroad for future equipment. The new Labour Government in 1965 cancelled allthree UK projects. In place of TSR2, the RAF was directed to procure an anglicised version of the General Dynamics F111. Transport requirements would be satisfied by the C130 Hercules. The McDonnell F4 Phantom would meet both RAF and the limited RN fighter requirement. The F111 order was cancelled and BAC were directed to co-operate with Dassault Aviation of France to produce a joint fighter, the Anglo-French Variable Geometry (AFVG) project.

Lord Plowden’s depressing report of 1959 concluded that the British aircraft industry on its own had little prospect of future sales and supported the concept of a unified European defence industry. “We should … also collaborate with the US” he said. The Gazelle, Puma and Lynx helicopter projects survived, but the AFVG was cancelled in 1967. The variable-geometry wing design had many proponents and the concept eventually led to the Tornado multi-role aircraft, although the design challenge of the wing hinge led to delays and the resultant aircraft was much heavier than planned.The Government did partly fund BAe’s Experimental Aircraft Project (EAP) which ultimately led to the multi-national Typhoon. An example of entirely British-led design was the BAe Hawk, which has gone on to major export success.

Looking to the future, Jock identified the vital investments made into Technology Development Projects, such as BAE Systems Taranis and Tempest projects. He reviewed the post-war period, listing the “headline misjudgements”, citing Government indecision, poor judgement and erratic policies. The policy of buying “off the shelf” has led to a loss to the nation in advanced technology, manufacturing and support expertise. This was something of a depressing picture, although Jock’s inimitable style made it an enjoyable evening