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Vickers Wild Goose Wind Tunnel Model

The Wild Goose project was developed to explore the advantages of variable-geometry or swing-wing aircraft. Sweeping wings backwards improved an aircraft’s shape for travelling at high speed.
The aircraft was tested using unmanned models. These models were launched from a trolley and controlled by radio. Dr Barnes Wallis its designer who had previously invented the bouncing bomb reportedly claimed that more time was spent on designing the control system for the models than on the design for the aircraft itself.
Wild Goose was never fully realised but its swing-wing concept continued to playa part in future aircraft designs.

It is currently on display in the RAF – First to the Future exhibition in Hangar 1.”