BAE P.1216

The BAE P.1216 was developed as a follow on to the Harrier. A limitation of the Harrier was that it was unable to achieve supersonic flight. The P.1216 was intended to remedy that with its engine and sharply swept wings. Due to the vibrations introduced by the more powerful engine, the fuselage was kept as short as possible, with distinctive twin booms going around and providing the rest of the aircraft functions.

 

Tested as a model in the 1980s, it was likely canceled due to the end of the Cold War and the nascent beginnings of what we know now as the F-35.

 

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One of those “what if” aircrafT that never made it past the concept stage, with very little documentation, this jet was a bear to figure out. Without cutaways, I had to infer where fuel, weapons, engine chambers, and avionics would go to make the most sense. The most challenging part was the underside and the thrust vectoring engine. It’s a fun model to do VTOL takeoffs and landings with.

Done