This past year marks the centenary of the Royal Air Force (RAF). Much has been made during this year of the heritage of design and support that the U K aerospace industry has provided during that time. What this has masked is that for a full third of its life the RAF has not had an industry that can meet its needs for bespoke aircraft designs.Thirty years ago the design teams that had produced the Harrier, Lightning and other famous British aircraft were effectively destroyed by changes in government policy and the changes in industry that followed. As Britain seeks to revive its combat air sector, can there ever be another fighter design team like those led by R J Mitchell, Freddie Page or Ralph Hooper?
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