The development of manned supersonic aircraft in this country suffered a setback at the end of the 1939-45 War, when it was decided that the use of manned aircraft would be too dangerous; however, more realistic views soon prevailed and, as a result, the ordering of such manned aircraft was considered in 1947 by the Ministry of Supply and in our submissions to M.o.S. in 1949, we described the aircraft as having as its primary function “Research Flying at Transonic and Supersonic speeds up to M =1·5.”

The background which led up to this submission is of interest, as it shows a logical line of development within the Company.