‘However, we have heard all of this before, so I feel that we are really no further forward with this issue. Would you not agree, Sir Gordon?’
Longworth nodded. ‘I’ve had report after report, but all the same news Minister,’ he replied.
The Minister continued. ‘Quite so, which brings me to a proposal that I have been discussing with our honoured guests here, and that we seriously now should consider: If the GK Systems FB-X aircraft, should meet OR599, and the BR-101 be downgraded to meet another operational requirement, for a supersonic low level tactical reconnaissance aircraft, to support the FB- X missions. Naturally, if this was so, then we would have to reduce the initial order of one hundred and eighteen airframes to about fifty-five. If I can now ask our honoured guest, the Secretary of State for Defence, to comment on this?’
Outraged, Barnett silently sat down. Weinstein rose and smiled warmly at the Brinton men. ‘Gentlemen, if I can start by congratulating you on the production of a fine machine. Ihe Rapier is an outstanding design and something that is a major contribution to world air power. If the UK decided to take the FB-X, then the Rapier, will make the ideal support aircraft for it.’
Barnett turned to his boss in disgust, then interrupted. ‘In due respect Mr Secretary, the FB-X I believe, is running slightly behind schedule. Am I right in saying that you have to use the Rapier for the Python Hawk tests, because the avionics of the FB-X are not ready yet?’
Weinstein glanced at Barnett. ‘Mr Barnett, I am aware that the Python Hawk unit is being tested on your airplane, and that is because some of your potential Rapier customers have ordered the Python Hawk. So it was only logical that the Rapier be used to test the equipment. The FB-X is ready, and we haven’t had any problems with the JF-200B engine, as it has been the power plant for some of our aircraft for the last decade, and even as we speak, these aircraft are seeing some intense combat action. We will of course be updating this engine to JF-200C standard on the production machines. With all this in place, we could supply the UK with three FB-X prototypes within the next six months, followed by say, one hundred and ten production aircraft, by the end of next year.’
Barnett took a sip of water. He could feel the rage welling up inside him, but for the sake of his boss, vowed to himself to keep it under control.
Weinstein sat back down, then the Minister took over again. ‘Thank you, Mr Secretary, that is a very good offer that needs to be considered, and I will be discussing it in detail with the PM this evening. Now, I think we need to ask Mr Brinton what he thinks of this new proposal.’
Henry Brinton remained seated. ‘Minister, the BR-101 was originally designed to meet OR599 and along the way, there has been a lot of changes in both the design and the workforce. Despite the engines, the aircraft is what the UK needs and more. The recent performance evaluation reports have showed that the BR-101 has exceeded all expectations. She is years ahead of her time, and through appropriate updates, will see service for at least the next thirty years. We have twelve potential customers, seven of which have signed the dotted line so to speak, and I feel to downgrade her role, undermines the work and more significantly, the costs that have already been put into the project. That’s all I have to say at present on the subject.’
The Minister smiled at Brinton. ‘Thank you, Mr Brinton for those comments. I can clearly see your point, however, the project has been in situ for almost a year now, and we only have one flying prototype, and yes it is unfortunate that the second one had the accident, but we must have a decision soon and time is running out, gentlemen.’
Barnett could hold himself no longer and stood up. ‘With due respect to everyone here, I think I can see what is going on. This is known as the Scratching each other’s back routine.’
The Minister glared coldly at him. ‘I beg your pardon Mr Barnett, but what do you mean?’
‘What I mean Minister is, that our honourable friends are here to rubber stamp the FB-X deal with the British government and you know it!’
The Minister rose from his chair. ‘Mr Barnett, I must protest at your most hostile comments. Mr Secretary, Chief Advisor, I must apologise for Mr Barnett’s most outrageous behaviour. He has obviously been under some pressure recently. I understand that he has also been ill, so can only think that you are still not quite well, Mr Barnett.’
Barnett shook his head. ‘As a matter of fact, I’m much better now, no thanks to these Yanks! They were the bloody reason I was ill in the first place. My P-Two was deliberately sabotaged by these bastards. They put a bloody bomb on the trailer, all because our machine is steps ahead in technology to the FB- X and they don’t want it around, because it will bring international orders and there one won’t.’
The face of the Minister took on a light shade of crimson. ‘Mr Barnett, I’m most appalled at this outrage. That is a hell of an accusation to make in front of our guests. I’m afraid I must ask you to leave this meeting. Your conduct is most unbecoming.
Barnett bit back. ‘That’s not a bloody accusation, it is a fact! They have agents in place, and it was them who roughed me up near my house, threatening my family! Anyway, this is pointless. I will leave you to your cozy fireside chat, as you bow down to these guys and take the FB-X and bloody good luck to it!’ He gathered his papers and then spoke to the portrait of Brunel. ‘I apologise to you, Isambard. It was never like this in your day. You would never let politics get in the way of your brilliant achievements. Good day, gentlemen.’ He picked up his briefcase and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Outside, he stood for a few seconds, pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead, and decided he would take himself into the gardens and have a cigarette, while he waited for his boss to come out.
Back in the boardroom, a now rather sheepish looking Brinton sat speechless as the Minister resumed. Forty minutes later, having arrived at a decision, he finalised the proceedings. ‘Right Gentlemen, I would like to draw a conclusion to OR599 today. I propose that we have the FB-X, which will cost less overall than the BR-101 to meet OR599, and the BR-101 as support in the tactical reconnaissance role, to meet OR601. If the overseas orders remain, may I suggest that the revenue for production be down to their respective governments accordingly? I don’t really want the British tax payer to have to shell out for any foreign military hardware. I will review this tomorrow before the White Paper announcement. I now bring this meeting to a close. Thank you all for attending, and I’m sorry for the little outburst that we had earlier.’
The Minister stood and shook everyone’s hand. Henry Brinton then shook the hands of the Americans.
‘It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Mr Brinton,’ said the US Secretary of State. ‘It’s just too bad I couldn’t be at Farnborough to see your excellent machine today.’
It was then, when shaking the hand of the Weinstein’s chief advisor Walter Tillman, that he accidently scratched himself on Tillman’s ring. ‘I’m sorry Mr Brinton, that seems to happen a lot, I must get round to having this thing filed down,' he said smiling apologetically.