26.08.2009, 10:22
No, it was a parallel project. And on the same subject, never let it be said I don't correct my own mistakes when I find them.
It seems that the Air Ministry was more keen to see the Tornado in production than I thought, and an order for 500 planes (subject to successful flight tests and service acceptance trials) was on the books. However, with the situation worsening in May 1940 the order was cancelled to make way for continued Hurricane production, the very aircraft the Tornado was supposed to replace. By October the same year, the production line at Woodford (Avro's factory) was reinstated, and one production example was delivered, subsequently used for engine testing. However, since official support for the Rolls Royce Vulture engine had ceased, the Tornado project was dead, especially since its Naper Sabre powered sister the Typhoon was showing more promise.
It seems that the Air Ministry was more keen to see the Tornado in production than I thought, and an order for 500 planes (subject to successful flight tests and service acceptance trials) was on the books. However, with the situation worsening in May 1940 the order was cancelled to make way for continued Hurricane production, the very aircraft the Tornado was supposed to replace. By October the same year, the production line at Woodford (Avro's factory) was reinstated, and one production example was delivered, subsequently used for engine testing. However, since official support for the Rolls Royce Vulture engine had ceased, the Tornado project was dead, especially since its Naper Sabre powered sister the Typhoon was showing more promise.