Told to me by a navigator in the early sixties so I don't know how true it is:
In the days when Valiants used to carry a 10,000 inert in the bomb bay to simulated a nuclear bomb load there was a sudden loud thump in the back and the radar saw to his horror that the inert had released itself and was resting on the bomb doors.
After much discussion up to 3Gp. level it was decided to jettison it over Wainfleet Range. On the way the Nav Radarwas told to treat it like a 'type 0' as it's ballistic properties were unknown.
With the target on the radar the bombing function was selected and the autopilot guided the aircraft unerringly to the release point.
At one minute to go the bombing function opened the bomb doors.
They never did find it.
Last edited by Fareastdriver; 7th Oct 2019 at 17:59.