A FLIGHT ASSESSMENT OF THE VIEW FROM THE T.S.R.2 BY SIMULATION IN A HUNTER 6

The structure of the cockpit of the T.S.R.2 has been simulated in a Hunter by blanking off areas of the windscreen and canopy with adhesive tape. Ten pilots have assessed the view from the cockpit in a variety of meteorological visibilities while flying at Mach 0.9 at 200 feet above ground level, and on the approach to land. In the original design of cockpit canopy simulated the overhead members produced a serious obstruction to view in turns, but a second canopy design which was also simulated was found to be a great improvement. The pilots criticized the view from both T.S.R.2 cockpit designs simulated, as the windscreen pillars and arch were so wide for structural reasons, in order to provide adequate bird strike protection, that they caused considerable blind areas.