BAC 583: Could it have worked?

[uk 75]

Having again looked at the models on this site of BAC 583 and at the articles in Tony Buttler's books, I cannot help wondering if this plane is the greatest aircraft we never built in the 60s.

Had the BAC 583 been mature enough to be chosen instead of the HS1154 and Phantom in the early 60s, it might have given us the best aircraft in NATO.  Much would have depended on it swing-wing, STOVL approach, actually working in real life.  But it would have allowed the RN to keep its three newer carriers (Eagle, Hermes and Victorious) in service into the 70s while the replacement ships could have been built over a longer time.  Equally, the RAF could have reduced the number of TSR2s it needed down to about 50 (This seems to be the number of F111s and later Vulcans that it required for NATO work).

Sadly, apart from a brilliant model and some rather rough drawings we do not have much on this design.  Can anyone add anything?

UK 75

[Archibald]

If I remember well, the type 583 was a twin-engines, VG heavy fighter similar to the Tomcat, no?
I just love this plane, but there's plenty of planes similar later (Tornado, F-14, F-111, Mirage G-8, Su-24, MiG-23). I imagined this plane with two speys or RB-199, and the tornado F-3 weapon-system (Skyflash AAM+ Foxhunter).
Just love this design!!  

[GTX]

actually working in real life

Well that's a big one !

Regards,

Greg

[Geoff_B]

At the time then yes i think it probably could have worked, the design was re-propossed following the 1154 cancellation but the time lost left us skint and buying off the shelf. Couple that with the cancellation of the new carriers and the RN support had dried up. Given the size of the design (no Archie its not Tomcat sized, in fact its more akin to the AFVG is size & mission), it could have helped promote a more cautious and practicle Carrier design to keep the CTOL Navy going through the 70's & beyond. The export potential could have been substantial as it was to have Phantom type capabilities but from a smaller more efficient design.

G

(Must build another one soon)

 

[Archibald]

there's also a strnage looking thing, (the 581?) with twin-booms, 8 engines in the central wing and a cockpit on the left side... how strange was this plane!!!