Don Johnstone wrote:

... a photo reconisance platform

r e c o n n a i s s a n c e, Don. It's French.

As I recall Boeing tried to design an SST, one major
problem, no Brits on the design team.

Dead right, Don.
No Brits.
Absolute disaster.

Result?
Not ONE penny of UK government subsidy for the Boeing SST!
Look where it got them!
Had to go off and build the 747 with their own money!
Poor bloody Boeing.

Look at what might have been.
Half the Tristar designed by Brits and ALL the engines!
Yesss!
Triumph of British engineering!
HEAPS of Don's taxes used to help it along!
Roaring success!

Can't understand why it sent Lockheed broke.

Oh well.

GC