The British Aircraft Corporation was a British aerospace manufacturer formed in 1960 through consolidation of major aircraft businesses. Its work encompassed civil airliners, combat aircraft, guided weapons and international programmes. BAC operated until its nationalisation into British Aerospace in 1977.[1]
Industrial consolidation
BAC brought together the aircraft interests of Vickers-Armstrongs, English Electric, Bristol and Hunting. Government policy encouraged larger organisations able to undertake increasingly complex development contracts. The TSR-2 strike and reconnaissance programme was an important early responsibility. BAC also acquired guided-weapons interests from Bristol and English Electric in 1963 and established activities in electronics and space. The cancellation of TSR-2 in 1965 removed a major military project without ending the corporation's other aircraft work.[1]
Civil airliners
The One-Eleven grew from Hunting's H107 studies into a larger short-haul jet. Its prototype first flew from Hurn in August 1963. BAC developed several versions, including the stretched Series 500, and sold aircraft to British and overseas airlines. Manufacture and development involved former constituent-company sites rather than a completely new factory system. Later licensing arrangements led to Romanian production as the Rombac One-Eleven, extending the programme beyond the corporation's own lifetime.[2]
International programmes and succession
BAC partnered with Breguet on the Jaguar and participated in the multinational organisation that developed the Tornado. Its civil collaboration with French industry produced Concorde, whose first prototype flew in March 1969. Alongside these partnerships, it continued work on established types such as the Lightning, Canberra and Strikemaster. On 29 April 1977, BAC joined Hawker Siddeley's nationalised aviation interests and Scottish Aviation in British Aerospace. Aircraft and facilities continued in use under the new organisation, while BAC ceased to function as the separate aircraft corporation.[1]