TAC 7 Demonstator

[tc2324]

July 16th 1965

FUTURE RAF AND ROYAL NAVY AIRCRAFT UNVEILED

A picture released today from TCAC, (TC Aircraft Corp) show off the latest aircraft design from the company to meet the Air Ministry Design specification No. MMM1 tender first set four months ago on 29th March. Called the TAC 7 Demonstrator, the company has claimed that it is a Mach 2+ aircraft capable of reaching heights of 50,000+. Two variants will be offered to the RAF and Royal Navy.

The TAC 7 has reported started test flights at RAF Boscombe Down with both the RAF and Navy using their own test pilots for evaluation.

October 10th 1965

Proposed New RAF/RN Aircraft Faces Problems

More details and pictures have been released about the new TAC 7 aircraft after three months of test flying and evaluation at Boscombe Down. Unofficial sources claim that while the performance of the aircraft exceeds the specification, the RAF and Royal Navy are not happy with the crew escape mechanisms.

Both the pilot and navigator/gunner both sit in their own capsules at either end of the aircraft and in an emergency both capsules have been designed to detach from the main aircraft and then descend via parachute. While the RAF acknowledged that this system worked fine in principle at high altitudes, it was the lower altitudes that gave greatest concern. This sentiment was repeated by the Navy as when the aircraft is operating from carriers, take off and approach are considered the most dangerous areas of operation and this existing system would prove almost deadly.

TCAC made a statement after these concerns were highlighted by the press which said, `TCAC proposed the new design to meet the specification and this design should in no way be considered the final concept. It was built as a demonstrator and all concerns highlighted by the Air Ministry will be looked at and resolved`

The company spokesman also offered some new information about the aircraft stating that it will be fitted with four hard points under the wings for weapons loads. Also mentioned was the new undercarriage of a `stronger design` was being finalised for Carrier operations and the range of the aircraft with wing tip tanks was projected at 2000 miles.

December 1st 1965

New Redesign for the TAC 7

Further to the report two months ago that the TAC 7 project was facing issues from both it`s prospective customers, the RAF and Royal Navy, it has been reported today that these have now been worked out and the aircraft has has been redesigned to better suit the clients.

TCAC`s press officer released the following,

`After spending a number of months working with the Air Ministry and Royal Navy, the crew escape issues reported by both parties have now been resolved. The two crewman will now sit in tandem, (one behind the other), with the rear cockpit being replaced with a remote controlled barbet 20mm canon.

Martin Baker has worked closely with us and have successfully completed trails of a new ejection seat that will safely eject both crew members away from the aircraft and especially the engine intake. After seeing the results of the tests the RAF and Royal Navy now consider the issues resolved and further testing and evaluation of the TAC 7 will proceed as planned`

[ChancerUK]

Thats a realy nice build, love the clean blue scheme and the background.