On the 27th September 1964, TSR.2 XR219 took to the skies over England. Flown by chief test pilot Roland Beamont over Preston, Lancashire, which on one engine; out flew an EE Lightning T.4 on full reheat. Designed as a long range, all weather, twin-engine supersonic bomber capable of precision bombing at both high and low altitude, the aircraft was fitted with advanced avionics that could deliver a variety of weapons. As it underwent extensive testing it soon became clear that the design exceeded its original expectations; the aircraft was 40 years ahead of its time. The following year, the newly elected Labour Government cancelled the project.