Super-sonic with neither afterburner nor area-ruling the fuselage is impressive.

"Delta 2 could have been a british Mirage..." *Angry french rumbles* "...which is arguably the finest multirole aircraft of the cold war." Well played, Mr. Nash. Well played.

Dassault was right too, we British are outstanding at coming up with new innovative ideas, and then either doing nothing with it whatsoever, or "giving it away" to someone else who makes a fortune off it and we get next to nothing. There's so many things in history we didn't capitalise on I don't even need to give examples, since most people can probably think of at least one themselves.

12:33 when even the french are calling you "clumsy and bureaucractic" ...you know you are in trouble.

Duncan Sandys was to British aviation what Beeching was to British railways. Amazing how so much damage was done by so few!

Ed I have to agree with your statement. The biggest obstacle to the British aviation industry had has is the government. I've always admired it for it's imagination, design and development. But the government feels like if you're trying to sprint a 100 meters with a 50lb ball around your ankle.

How the British government kicked the British aircraft industry in the nuts, episode xxxxxxxx. Great video

Nice shout out for the FAA Museum :) Love how they have recreated a working flight deck and the simulated helicopter ride to the 'carrier' - definitely one of my favourites. Didn't realise I've seen both Delta 2's in person, d'oh

Marcel Dassault took is name from the « nom de guerre » of his brother Darius Paul Bloch who was active in the French Resistance during WWII. The code name was « Chardasso » from « char d’assaut » which became simply « Dassault » (the double « ss » is to be pronounced like, you guessed it, in « assault » not like a « z » as in « zero », the « l » is not pronounced). Marcel Bloch built military airplanes before the war under his real name. He changed it to Dassault after the war.

Now as then our UK government should hang its head in shame for what they have done to Britian and its industry.

Re the brief reference to the TSR 2: I worked for a British aerospace company 30 odd years ago alongside engineers who had worked on the TSR 2. I mentioned it out loud once; I didn't mention it out out loud again. The bitterness was off the scale. Similarly on business trips to Canada, re the Arrow...

Brilliant video, the FD Delta 2 rates as one of my favourite aircraft. Great to see footage I have never seen before ty! I have had the pleasure of seeing these aircraft and can definitely recommend both museums, an excellent day out at both.

Again something new to learn Mr. Nash. Being impressed by both the plane and your work.

Even more impressive that it achieved this performance with half the power of a BAC Lightning.

Great video. I never knew there was a "droop snoot" plane before the Concorde.

Australia bought and operated the Mirage lll and operated them till about 1988... great looking aircraft and much beloved by their pilots.. fantastic article and research... English self-defeating Beaurocrats strike again...

👍Another excellent video, thank you Ed. I remember seeing the 221 in the Yeovil museum years ago and it left quite an impression. I couldn't believe that such a modern looking fast aircraft had been designed basically in the 1950s. Not just the design of the airframe but of course the remarkable Avon engine.

With no support and refusal to use RAF airfields by the British government Fairy accepted the French offer to conduct trials in that country. This allowed the French to study a delta wing aircraft of a similar size to the one they where developing which emerged as the Mirage 3. The aircraft was also trialed in Norway and studied by the USAF for the same reason in the development of their Convair Delta Dagger and Delta Dart interceptors.

Must admit the Mirage connection had never occurred to me so thanks for that Ed! Think I'd always known of these as purely test flight aircraft that did a couple of speed records then disappeared, and I didn't know they continued the flight programme in France.

The Fairey Delta 2 is one awesome looking aircraft!!!!

Good summary, although I agree Fairey were perhaps optimistic in saying they could militarise the FD2 and have it through contractor and Service trials in 18 months, but then they didn't say which 18 months they were referring to! Fun facts about Peter Twiss: having survived WWII and the rigours of test pilot life he went on to some notable film appearances. In 1960 he flew a Swordfish in 'Sink The Bismarck', having qualified on the aircraft in his time in the FAA. Then in 1963 he drove one of the chasing SPECTRE power boats in 'From Russia With Love', in the sequence where Bond and Romanova escape Yugoslavia.

The test pilot who managed a dead stick mosewheel only landing from 30,000 feet did am amazing job!

Successfully resisted the temptation to type: "First"! Ahem. Beautiful aircraft; a true "might-have-been"... I'm constantly amazed at how the British aviation industry was always forging ahead but was always scuppered by the Parliament. Sad. Ed, had you considered doing a video on how the aircraft of "Thunderbirds" were influenced by real aircraft? That would be so much fun to watch!

For those curious on how this policy of going into missiles started, search the 1957 white paper on defense by Minister of Defense, Duncan Sandys. All this “missile can do everything” even if the Air Ministry did not expect them to be fully operational for a few more years really screwed up British defense.

Trigger warning for my fellow Canadians: mention and photo of the Avro Arrow. siiiiiigh. one of the most beautiful planes ever made.

That was truly *excellent*! I would agree with your assessment of the quality of the collection at Yeovilton: they have really put an excellent story together in one of the best museums in the country, and it's worth every penny to visit. Although it's off topic, the Tank Museum in Bovington (not very far south) is of similar quality. I am increasingly impressed by this channel - keep it up! The research, writing, and presentation is superb. Onward!

Tempted to say, the British had a tendency to shoot themselves in both feet when it comes to post-war aeronautical developments.

Dear Mr. Nash. Thank you for a (once again) valuable contribution to aerospace lore. The incredible stupidity and lack of foresightedness exhibited by British politicians is alas a phenomenon not altogether unknown in other countries. The combination of Tory stupidity, Labour socialism, and general lack of funds in post-WW2 Britain, explains a lot - but not all. One must also consider the influence of the trans-atlantic alliance. The US had no interest whatsoever in a viable aircraft industry in other countries than its own. That is the overwhelming factor behind Canadas decision to scrap the Avro Arrow project. I don't know to what extent the decision of Mr. Sandys (Churchill's son-in -law!) paper was influenced by the US, but a solid guess might be that a quid-pro-quo was engineered (presumably in the area of nuclear technology).

Gonna call it now, Ed is the next Mark Felton 😀

Had the pleasure of knowing Peter Twiss for a number of years, different days.

Thanks Ed. This is my new favorite plane. Absolutely stunning.

I knew about the Delta 2 and remember pictures of it at the time.. I hadn't realised about it going to France and data supplying information for Dassault. Governments of both colours knew how to destroy an aircraft industry as they knew how to destroy railways.

Yet another excellent, engaging, and informative presentation - kudos, Mr. Nash !

Agree with the clumsy British government way of dealing with many big projects. I think most governments are prone to this like Macron's clumsy Aussie submarine deal.

When Fairey is mentioned, I tend to think of the Gannet, certainly a different aircraft - !

This is my favourite plane of all time I’ve been lucky enough to sit in the cockpit of the last fd2 the cockpit still has the writing from the engineers in pencil written over the instruments

l think it is a shame that Briton quite building fighter aircraft cause they were so damn good at it.....Thanks Ed Nash for your outstanding video's.....Shoe🇺🇸

And the Miles M52 could have broken the sound barrier with a jet before the Americans did with a rocket-plane. How about the Hawker P1154 ?

Between U.S. bullying and British indecisiveness, nothing good could be achieved in the way of a fighter. This aircraft is an interesting surprise coming from Fairey. Clearly, they understood more about modern aircraft than their earlier history would suggest.

Wow the Concorde clearly owes a number of design features to this lovely little plane.

The British had a tone of interesting aircraft. I feel that really would have put them so far ahead of the game but got let down by its own government

Excellent and informative video Ed! Very good!

And almost at the same time Sweden developed the SAAB 35 Draken which flew for the first time 1955. Also a delta wing design and might I say one of the most beautiful fighter jets ever built!

Neat and tidy video. Well done Ed.

Thank you for the video, wow, amazing shade of blue paint!

Outstanding video! I really enjoy your channel!

Thank you for this fascinating insight into the Delta 2. As a child I had heard rumblings regarding the importance of this aircraft. My Great Uncle was Sir Richard Fairey , so this has really provided me with a great bit of family history. I have just found an original copy of “Outpacing the Sun “ on my book shelves. Ties in rather nicely , Best wishes, Mark A-T.

I can confirm the FAA museum in Yeovil is a great day out, there are so many weird 50s-60s British prototypes in there it's like finding yourself in a Gerry Anderson Tracey Island theme park. (and note that the Haynes Motor museum, also well worth a visit, is only a short drive away)

What a beautiful, beautiful aircraft. Pilot's say, when it looks right, it usually flies right. I would have ordered them on looks alone!.... And yes, absolutely, F.A.A. museum Yeovilton is fantastic! Thanks for another great and informative video!

Never heard of this plane - thanks! Also, I bought and read your book, and it is great. I learned a lot.

My mates grandad worked on the BAC221, I remember meeting him and admiring a beautiful 1:24 scale model he was given when he retired. Great video as usual mate!

Thanks for your very good work!

Love delta winged aircraft. Thank the big flyer upstairs that they weren't scrapped to make heaters and refrigerators. Only the nose lowers on the Concord unlike Delta 2. I believe the Mirage has more in common with Convair's Delta Dagger and Dart that with the Fairey.

Hi Ed, another interesting point might be made for the elongated nose of the Fairy Delta 2 and the current NASA needle nosed supersonic plane being developed as a potential SST, it features an extremely long nose as a sonic boom disrupter.

Yes it does remind me a lot of the Concorde, now that was one beautiful plane.

Great video mate, thank you👍

One of your best videos!!!

Hi Ed , I 've always been a fan of the Fairey Delta and living in Devon l'm only an hour away so l've been several times . My favourite (?) is the Westland Wyvern in bare metal with the magnificent RR Eagle power unit . Although l find all of the aircraft magnificent in their engineering . Thanks Ed.

Simply awesome. A golden age of aviation.

Another fantastic video

Thank you for posting

My dentist is on the Avenue Marcel Dassault lol. Great video. There is a good aircraft museum in Rochefort, next to the Ecole Gendarmerery if anyone finds themselves in this area on hols.

Going by looks, I am reminded of Convair's Delta Dagger/Dart.

Well said Ed!

Great video!

Superb video.

I recall interviews with Peter twist with a recording of the 50th anniversary of the farnborough air show , he said back then “ that your performance was on the grass section on front of the audience and you can fly as low as you want , and the press were allowed to be on the grass to take photos , and some would take the photos , drop the camera and fall down on the grass passing out!” , this was when he was demonstrating the fairey delta 2

Very informative! Thanks! 💯

Thank you Ed ,

A beautiful plane almost like a miniature Concorde. Somehow all early Cold War Era planes have a sinister stinky mean appearance of death as if every plane was to carry a nuclear bomb being it a Piper Cub or a Nimrod. I wonder what remade Swordfish would have looked like.

My Dad worked on both the Swordfish and the Delta.

When I was a lad the FD2 won the aur speed record at over 1,100 mph. It was a purely research aircraft, and helpful in the Concorde design.

One of my favourite planes, probably because I had the Solido 1/150 scale model when I was a kid (in the early 50s). And btw, it's Dassault, rhyming with assault and not with azo. Figures, since it comes from Marcel Bloch chosen nickname for rebranding his firm after ww2 as "Les Avions d'Assault" - ie "The Assault Planes".

Thanks Ed … She sure is one beautiful aircraft.. even on the ground she’s very poised … It would really take a horrible mind to cancel such a splendid plane ..yet another reason I don’t think very much of Duncan Sands ..

What a great looking aircraft.

Sadly Ed, Your comments and those of Marcel Dassault are correct. The results of this political error have been duplicated several time in defence matters resulting in lack of exports for GB plc. Thanks for your very informative series on aviation matters.

In the summer of 1959 I was on airfield crash rescue duty at RAF Leeming when the FD2 landed for a refuelling stop. I was off duty when it took off.

The UK had a variety of designs that were essentially testbeds for a range of ideas that never went anywhere or, are largely forgotten. The English Electric Lightning was one of the few exceptions being developed from a testbed. It's quite and interesting subject in itself. Was the Vulcan a development of a Barnes Wallis idea? Not certain but Wallis was definitely looking at the flying wing concept for some ime.

It was not just an English thing to cancel promising weapons systems. Politicians and bean counters around the world have done this. You have documented this well and often. I often wonder what would have happened if McNamara had not been placed in charge of our defense department. As far as corruption goes, well, greedy people have always been.

Have you ever heard of the British Brothers, the Wroighte Twins? They could have created the first aeroplane in 1903 if it weren't for that blasted conjoined thing they had a bother with.

If there was an ever an aircraft where the saying “if it looks good, it flies good” then this is one of those aircraft, it’s a beautiful and sleek looking aircraft.

I know the 221 well as I used to work at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in the late ‘90s. Interesting kite.

Mirage, the "finest multi-role aircraft of the Cold War". Hmm, definitely up there in the ranking, and one could argue anything, but I'm thinking more like F-4.

I love this channel

Nice video of an interesting prototype.

As an aside, but connected, Robert Calvert of the Rock Band Hawkwind, produced an album called "Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters" well worth listening to the satyrical take on the times with that aircraft and Germany.

Excellent exposition on the fate of the British aerospace industry encapsulated in the story of these two remarkable machines. I wish there was some way to knock sense into politicians...

What a beautiful plane!

What about the Swedish SAAB Draken? It was probably superior to both the Fairey and the Dassault fighters. At that, it was designed and put into service in substantial numbers by a nation, the population of which was smaller than that of Greater London. But Sweden had no Duncan Sandys, nor did it have the posh "Old school boys cameradery", that so often has prevented progress in the UK. Hans Strömberg, Stockholm, Sweden

The Delta 2 had a much bigger potential for development than the Lighting. Too bad all the extra money was spent on the stupid idea of a backup of the backup nuclear bomber... RAF officials were probably scared that the Soviet Union would come with another superior aircraft after the MiG-15, but that wasn't the case in the end. The Lighting was pushing so hard for speed that they forgot about operational requirements. The end result was a heavy fighter with lightweight fighter range and payload. As the Mirage and Draken had proven, a single engine fighter was more than enough to counter Soviet bombers and fighter treats. But as they say, hindsight is 20/20. I can only imagine what the out come would look like, if they had dumped the Lightning and got ahead with a operational fighter version of the Delta 2. I seriously doubt the F-104 and Mirage III would had sold as much as they did. I believe the British would still be major suppliers of fighter aircraft to this day, and not in collaboration efforts.

u tellin me this was from the same people who made the firebrand?? great video ed

I saw WG777 at Cosford museum last w/e when I went to airshow. The info board said about the droop nose but I couldn't see the exact place where it moved. Having seen this video now I know from the footage.

The FD-2 with the Bristol 188 & the Short weird tadpole aircraft (sorry I forgot the name) were the test platforms for the Concorde.

Amazing aircraft, all more remarkable given an indifferent government. Also Terribly sad as a symbol of how the UK manage to almost totally loose its legacy of advanced aircraft industry.

What is most impressive is the fact that both aircraft still exist and were not involved in fatal crashes during testing.

Excellent

The FAA museum is truly stunning, can't recomend it enough.

Not suprising that Dassault produced the superior Mirage. Much of the testing of the Delta 2 was carried out in France under the watchful eye and eager collaboration of Dassault engineers.

I went to see this aircraft at the fleet air arm museum just after the Falklands war, side by side with the Concorde they looked amazing together. Having been part of the UK aircraft industry for several years I can say with certainty that the biggest enemy of British industry and the British working people always has been and still are our corrupt politicians, that duncan sands with his stupid' I know best attitude' and the back room deals that our government did with the Yanks totally eviscerated our aircraft construction design as can be seen by the fact that we shamefully still are buying american aircraft.

Fairey was absorbed into Westland Helicopters Ltd.